Why so expensive to import this Civic?
Hi,
I just got a shocking price trying to import a 2005 Honda Civic EP3, a UK car. Before Xmas it was €1,200 even on the 1st of January through the VRT calculator. My car and engine was on the calculator and then removed. I purchased but didn't collect on 28th of December 2020. It has 105,000 miles on it and NOx of 0.028 gram and I was quoted €4,575 VRT - it costs more than the car did.
I know a person in my area who just bought a Premium Edition 2005 with 120,000 miles and late fee of €600 and he cleared his for €3,040. Why am I being charged more and as I did buy it last year it should still be on last year's rate. It was delivered on 5th of Jan to me and could not get VRT appointment until 19th of Jan.
Thanks
Dec
Declan Mccormack (Sligo)Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
Unfortunately, this is the way things have gone now. Revenue were being relatively generous (relatively is of course a relative term…) in the first couple of weeks of January for people who’d imported in December and been unable to get an inspection date until January, but that grace period seems now to have passed.
Given that the car didn’t come into your possession until after Jan 1st, I don’t think they’ll give you a break on it, I’m afraid, and of course it’s not that you’re paying extra in VRT (although you are, a little, of course thanks to the switch to WLTP emissions), you’re actually paying extra in VAT and import duty thanks to Brexit. I wish I could give you better news, but these are the perils of importing a car.
Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor@neilmbriscoe