Michael McAleer answers your queries
From John Kenny:
I want to import a used car from England, perhaps bought on eBay. What forms are involved? Are duty, VAT and VRT payable - and when are they payable? How can I access the history of a car from here and is there a charge?
Our colleague Daniel Attwood writes: To import a car from the UK you will need its V5 'birth cert' logbook and MOT certificate (if applicable). You should also get a proof of purchase. Carry these documents with you when you drive the car over.
As soon as you arrive in Ireland with the car, you must begin the registration process. The Revenue Commissioners are very strict on the rules and insist that an imported car is registered in Ireland by the next working day following its arrival here.
They have even set up roadblocks and made people walk home after impounding their car.
To carry out the registration process, you should travel, with the car, to one of the 30 or so regional vehicle registration offices (VRO). You can find your nearest on the revenue website, revenue.ie
Once there you must present the vehicle along with its importation declaration form (which is available from the VRO) and the vehicle's UK registration document. This is the V5 logbook and will contain details such as the last previous owner, its date of registration and its chassis number as well as UK registration number.
Provided the car is not new and has been imported from a country within the EU, you will not have to pay VAT when importing it into Ireland. However, the car must have more than 6,000km on the clock and be more than six months old.
The VRT is calculated on the open market price (OMP) of the car in Ireland (not in Britain). The Revenue Commissioners decide the OMP. If you have a specific car in mind, you can enter it into a very useful VRT calculator on the Revenue's website.
Don't be afraid to argue with the Revenue Commissioner's valuation of the car if you can prove that it is lower (for example in dealer ads) or that it was lower when you used the online calculator.
As for checking the car's history, there are companies in Britain that offer to check for outstanding debt on the car or whether it has been a write off or reported stolen. The AA for example will carry out a check for you. It costs around €45 and is well worth it.
A company called HPI will also check used cars for a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to ensure it corresponds to the car's registration number. They will also search for any outstanding finance and if it has been reported stolen. They can be found at hpi.co.uk The cost is about €50 for an on-line check.
It may also be worth hiring an inspector to view the car for you before you travel to collect it. You can then use these either as a bargaining tool or as an indicator that this may not be the car for you. And all before you go to the trouble and expense of travelling over.
A company called DEKRA, which is AA approved, offers a comprehensive service and incorporates the AA's credit and accident check. Expect to pay between €200 and €300 for the service. Try dekra-assured.com for more information.
From Jonathan Craig, Co Dublin:
I'm taking part in a three-week African charity drive called the Plymouth-Banjul Challenge starting in December.
The challenge involves driving from England to The Gambia, West Africa, and involves about 250 cars all of which are auctioned on arrival in aid of Gambian charities. We are also trying to raise money for the Irish Kidney Association.
The rules state that all cars must be left-hand drive and worth about €500 and we are finding this a huge problem. I thought perhaps you or your readers may be able to help. So far we have been unable to find a roadworthy (ie NCT) car matching these requirements.
Your best bet is to look to Germany or France for a car and get a mechanic to look it over before you buy. If any reader can help Jonathan out, he can be contacted at jcraig@iol.ie or by writing to us - we will pass on the details. Information on the challenge can be found at plymouth-banjul.co.uk
Send your queries to Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet St, Dublin 2 - or e-mail to motorshelp@irish-times.ie