Bringing a classic car into Ireland yourself, via the internet, can be quite an adventure writes Kilian Doyle
The Princess is dead. Long live the Princess. I got a rush of blood to the head last week and decided to sell the Bavarian Princess, my much-loved 1990 BMW 316i, replacing her with the 1975 BMW 2002 I fell in love with while absent-mindedly browsing the Internet.
The car was in Edinburgh, so I'd have to travel over and pick it up myself. No problem.
For most people, the idea of finding a second-hand car on the internet and agreeing to buy it abroad sight unseen from a stranger is a complete no-no. But it needn't be.
There are many advantages to sourcing a car in Britain and importing it - larger selection, generally better quality and, most of all, cheaper prices. Thousands of people have done it with varying degrees of success, myself included.
First off, decide what you want. The range of cars available in Britain, from bog standard saloons, musty classics to extravagant supercars, is immense. Remember when budgeting you will generally have to pay VRT of up to 30 per cent on any car under 30 years old. A VRT calculator is available on the Revenue website at revenue.ie
In addition, VAT applies on cars imported from outside the EU. You also need to factor in the cost of flights, ferries, fuel, inspections and HPI checks.
Second, do your research. For rarer cars, Google for owners' clubs, register on forums and don't be afraid to ask questions. I used the site E30zone.co.uk when researching the BMW 318i Touring I bought in Hampshire earlier this year.
Most car fans are only too happy to share (or, in some cases, show off) their knowledge. You may even get a good tip on where to find your perfect vehicle.
Then go looking. Take your time. Check car supermarkets and individual dealers. E-bay can also produce bargains, but you will invariably be buying privately so extra caution is required.
Once you've found your object of desire, phone the seller directly - never trust written descriptions alone. Compile as much knowledge as possible about the model before phoning and have your list of questions worked out.
If the owner doesn't know, for example, when the oil was last changed, chances are he hasn't looked after the car properly and the lemon he's describing as "mint" is a seized rustbucket. Use your intuition - if he sounds dodgy, put the phone down.
Always get details of service history and as many photos as possible. Obviously, a crooked seller isn't going to send you snaps of the bullet holes in the rear window. But you still can tell a lot from the shots he does send.
Have a look at the background - if the car is sitting on the edge of a racetrack or surrounded by hooded youths, chances are it hasn't been used solely for school runs. Get an inspection done by the RAC or AA, which only costs a few hundred euro. If the seller doesn't agree to this, walk away.
Once you're happy, contact your insurance company and let them know what you are doing. Depending on your policy, collecting a car is usually not a problem. Arrange for the seller to pick you up at the closest airport. Don't bring slabs of cash if you can avoid it. Use a bank draft, it's safer. If you feel unsure, bring someone with you. Preferably a mechanic with a black belt in ass-kicking.
Most importantly, don't be afraid to keep the draft in your pocket and get back on the plane if the car's rubbish. Unfortunately, you have little comeback if this happens. And happen it does.
If you've paid for cancellation protection when booking the ferry you won't lose the whole cost if you bail. You'll be down the price of flights, but that's better than buying a car you know is wrong. Try to let the head rule the heart and allow common sense to prevail.
If you are fully satisfied, get the seller to fill in the For Permanent Export slip and post it to the DVLA. You keep the rest of the UK Registration Certificate. Ensure the car is taxed so you are legal when driving it to the port.
Once back in Ireland, you are supposed to register it within 24 hours. You'll get your new registration number, which will allow you to fit Irish plates and switch your insurance over. A few days later, you should be posted the necessary documents to tax the car.
Finally, if it's between four and 30 years old, you are responsible for organising an NCT yourself.
And that's it. Simple. Chances are, you'll have the car you wanted for thousands less than it would cost here. And you'll have had an adventure to boot. Now, if you'll excuse me, the Deutsche Duchess awaits.