I imported a car from Japan and need help...
Hello,
I got a 1999 Toyota Cresta 2.0 auto petrol in from Japan in November. I went to the VRT/NCT office to get the reg and, as I was missing one document, was told to come back after Xmas. Nobody said anything about the NOx charge coming in 2020...
So now I have to pay this charge even though I have the NOx/CO2 numbers for the car from the seller in Japan. Also, the VRT came in at €5,500; this a crazy price for a 1999 car - Revenue thinks the car is worth €20,000 and it's actually only worth €4,000 or €5,000 at most; I cannot pay this amount so what can I do?
Mike Grant (Waterford)Jan 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Unfortunately, Revenue and the VRT process are inexplicably cruel in this regard. You have to pay the money before you appeal, but the good news is that more than 50 per cent of appeals are successful. It would be helpful to find some expert in Japanese vehicles (and I would suggest tracking down a garage that imports them regularly) to give you their opinion on the value, as Revenue is legendarily awful at coming up with reasonable values for unusual cars.
As for the NOx charge, I would ask for a statement in writing from the VRT/NCT office that you brought the car for inspection before January, but were told to come back afterwards. That might (emphasis on the might) get that waived when you make your appeal.
Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor@neilmbriscoe