importing a car from the uk

From 19/09/02.... :rolleyes:

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(20:07) The European Court of Justice has ruled that aspects of vehicle registration tax constitute a form of double taxation and are therefore illegal under the EU treaty.

The ruling came after a Finnish citizen took a case against his own government.

He claimed that by levying vehicle registration tax on a used car he had imported into Finland, the government was taxing the same product twice, because the tax ignored the value of the tax already paid on the car in another member state.

The court ruled that the VRT law in Finland conflicts with the EU treaty, and is illegal. The ruling may affect the operation of VRT in Ireland, which also charges high rates of VRT.

The European Commission two weeks ago called for the abolition of vehicle registration tax.

The Commission said in the interim, states should ensure that their VRT systems did not discriminate by imposing a double taxation burden on motorists importing second hand cars from other member states.

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a friend recently went throught he process to bring a mini cooper back from england, about four months ago so sterling was strong at the time.

he was a little unsure about buying without seeing it himself, so spent a few weekends looking around and in his opinion, the standards of second hand cars there was much higher, because of the roads and (sweeping generalisation) the english taking better care of their cars due to a long history of the MOT test.

in the end what it came down to was that for the same money the equivalent car in England was laden with extras and likely to last him longer (or allow a better resale value).

i guess one thing to remember in this case is that it was a mini, which are still relatively rare here while common across the water and they're usually bought by people who love the cars and lavish attention on them so it was likely to be in good condition. but he did save over 2500 on what he would have paid here. I'll find out if he paid VAT.

what type of car are you thinking about?

just had a chat with a few heads here at work and we have double taxation agreements with a number of countries so its agreed with them that its ok and we also have certain european opt outs which i believe us and the uk are using within taxation areas....i might delve deeper this evening and see what i can find

i am lookin at two cars

merc e220 cdi

bmw 320d touring

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Originally Posted by tiktok

i guess one thing to remember in this case is that it was a mini, which are still relatively rare here while common across the water and they're usually bought by people who love the cars and lavish attention on them so it was likely to be in good condition.

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:D You wouldn't be saying that if you'd seen the one's some of my mates had! Only really since the brought the new one I'd say.

Have ye considered buying from the continent? AFAIK, there's some French dealers around Calais and other ports selling right-hand drive cars for English people going over. Get a cheap flight and drive it back?
My uncle recently imported his car from Germany which was also right-hand drive, think he might have bought it direct from a large wholesaler who distributes them throughout Europe. It's worth looking around the place, ye could save tons.

[QUOTE=brendy_éire]Have ye considered buying from the continent./QUOTE]

Ireland is rumoured to have lowish base price plus the fact will have to pay VRT on top of whatever buy motor for in France won't make that an attractive option.

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i am lookin at two cars
merc e220 cdi
bmw 320d touring

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Probably savings to be made there alright as bigger cars depreciate quickly in first few years & less demand for large 2nd hand cars.

eh ever tried buying a merc in dublin/ireland...every taxi driver in dublin is driving one these day s, which is pushing up the second hand prices on top of the mad price they were in the first place, but i do agree small cars depreciate slower, but high end brands come out on top in the end....

On the VRT, for used cars you really can kick and scream to get a lower bill, there was a case a few years ago where a finish fella called Antti Siilin took a case against Finland who have the same VRT laws we do. ECJ pretty much said that VRT on used cars has to be low or non-existant.

i like the lettuce link.......your going down !!!!

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Originally Posted by max power

i like the lettuce link.......your going down !!!!

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It just shows you how wonderful lettuce is and all the things it could do.

I've had that link since the great lettuce war of 2004.

that war is not over, we are regrouping our troops and shall defeat the evil aramy of lettuce and its allies....macy you have been warned....

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Originally Posted by max power

that war is not over, we are regrouping our troops and shall defeat the evil aramy of lettuce and its allies....macy you have been warned....

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Look if you attack mayonnaise, I'll turn a blind eye to the lettuce....

na i'm a big fan of mayo.....the food not the place.....but lettuce is evil and i will crush it !!!

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Originally Posted by max power

na i'm a big fan of mayo.....the food not the place.....but lettuce is evil and i will crush it !!!

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ummmm crushed lettuce with mayo, all your missing is the chicken and bacon bits.

Accept defeat or I'll plan lettuce seeds on the pitch in Flancare on Saturday week.

good, it might soak up some of the water !!!

back to the car thing....i am contacting the car tax office tomorrow to get guidelines on bringing a car into the country and a breakdown on how the vrt is calculated....if they don't come up with what i want i think i'll contact joe duffy for the craic or gerry ryan....

i think they just pull the number out of their head..

for the record, that friend of mine didn't have to pay VAT, some good news anyway