Irish Taxi Forum

Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 01:21:41 am

Title: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 01:21:41 am
Do we have to pay VAT / customs duty on cars imported from Norn Iron?

On account of the younger not so young lad considering legally importing his car to Norn Iron I discovered that there is no VAT / customs duty charged in that direction as there would be if he were to import it to the mainland, including counties Scotland and Wales. In fact the VAT / duty free regime applies to all used cars imported into Norn Iron from the EEC, presumably on account of Dr. Leo single handedly moving the border to the Irish Sea. Hence it seems logical that the same regime ought to apply in the opposite direction, at least until Meehaul fucks it up?

Bring back Dr. Leo... Dr. Leo was great so he was!
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 01:41:24 am
Amusing aside, cars - or perhaps more accurately drivers of the same - with ROI plates are commonly referred to as "Mexicans" in Norn Iron!

Despite being a regular visitor to NI pretty much all my life that's a reference I've only come across in recent times, I musta been visiting the wrong - or right depending on one's perspective - parts!
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Panel on January 21, 2025, 03:07:18 am
My understanding is that cars that were ‘born’ or 1st registered in the occupied 6 county’s are not liable for vat ifn they’re registered in the free state thereafter.

However they’re still liable for VRT and nox charges.

Heard the affectionate term ‘Mexicans’ before alright in a cozy public house in crossmaglen.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Panel on January 21, 2025, 03:17:46 am
https://www.usedcarsni.com/ (https://www.usedcarsni.com/) - handy site ifn your looking up the road for a heep.


https://www.usedcarsni.com/2020-Skoda-Octavia-2-0-TDI-SE-Technology-5dr-353252807?make=28&model=2355&search_type=1&age_from=0&age_to=0&body_style=0&fuel_type=0&homepage_search_attr=1&keywords=&location%5B%5D=0&location%5B%5D=0&mileage_to=0&pagepc0=3&price_from=0&price_to=0&sortby=6%7C0&tab_id=0&trans_type=0&user_type=0 (https://www.usedcarsni.com/2020-Skoda-Octavia-2-0-TDI-SE-Technology-5dr-353252807?make=28&model=2355&search_type=1&age_from=0&age_to=0&body_style=0&fuel_type=0&homepage_search_attr=1&keywords=&location%5B%5D=0&location%5B%5D=0&mileage_to=0&pagepc0=3&price_from=0&price_to=0&sortby=6%7C0&tab_id=0&trans_type=0&user_type=0)

€20,741 to get it on Irish plates.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 09:06:29 am
All other things being equal I won't be in the market 'till 2026 but certainly certainly food for thought.

At 20k one would have to consider that another 10k would by a new ID4 if grants are maintained at previous levels going forward. In that case I might be more inclined to shop for a 2016 1.6 DSG Octy as a direct replacement for my MKIII with a view to taking the scrappage. If I could find one for less than 10k or whatever the scrappage might be (if anything) in 2026 I'd be in profit... possibly with a shed load of spares into the bargain!
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 09:11:53 am
P.S as the Programme for Govt mentions a possible age extension for 2015 reg cars I'm still inclined to, rather optimistically, hope that they might apply a bit of common sense and level the playing field with the same extension for all vehicles that were on the fleet during COVID '19 anall.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: watty on January 21, 2025, 10:06:33 am
Be wary of the ID4's.  I read on another site that it's €1,500 for a lightbulb replacement.  I.E., you have to replace the whole headlamp unit!  Maybe prices are similar for all modern cars but it could get expensive real quick if you were a night driver...
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 11:10:59 am
Jeez... Only a few months ago I was whinging about spending €4 on a headlight bulb for my MKIII Octavia, €3.20 of which I'll never see again. €1,500 for a poxy bulb would take a lot of getting over and VAGs don't have a great reputation for bulbs. Poor ol' SB will probably end up forking out another 4 figures for someone to screw it in. Mad when you think he probably got his Prius Hybrid battery for less than a headlight bulb might cost on the ID4.

But the whole world has gone mad. Just an hour or so ago I'm typing about a new ID4 only costing 10k more than a 3YO Octavia after grant aid...Only 10k more... like it's fucking confetti... FFS, my current Octavia cost €11,995 when it was 3YO back in 2019!

I like the ID4 as a car ignoring what's under the bonnet. The popularity of BYDs as taxis in China suggests that should be the EV of choice but neither MfH or Hal seem to have particularly good opinions of the after sales service in Ireland. Hence I may well lean towards MG should the numbers dictate an EV to be the best option if/when the time comes. Another MG plus is the apparent existence of a DIY culture on the www e.g. the post you linked on changing a battery in another thread.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: silverbullet on January 21, 2025, 03:07:50 pm
Jeez... Only a few months ago I was whinging about spending €4 on a headlight bulb for my MKIII Octavia, €3.20 of which I'll never see again. €1,500 for a poxy bulb would take a lot of getting over and VAGs don't have a great reputation for bulbs. Poor ol' SB will probably end up forking out another 4 figures for someone to screw it in. Mad when you think he probably got his Prius Hybrid battery for less than a headlight bulb might cost on the ID4.

But the whole world has gone mad. Just an hour or so ago I'm typing about a new ID4 only costing 10k more than a 3YO Octavia after grant aid...Only 10k more... like it's fucking confetti... FFS, my current Octavia cost €11,995 when it was 3YO back in 2019!

I like the ID4 as a car ignoring what's under the bonnet. The popularity of BYDs as taxis in China suggests that should be the EV of choice but neither MfH or Hal seem to have particularly good opinions of the after sales service in Ireland. Hence I may well lean towards MG should the numbers dictate an EV to be the best option if/when the time comes. Another MG plus is the apparent existence of a DIY culture on the www e.g. the post you linked on changing a battery in another thread.
€2100 for the new hybrid battery. Should something go wrong with the iD 4 factory LED assembly it's covered under warranty.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 04:29:32 pm
Hopefully a spurious market will develop before the warranty expires... if you plan on keeping it that long.

At those prices you'd think someone would be reconditioning the fucking things.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: silverbullet on January 21, 2025, 04:37:33 pm
Hopefully a spurious market will develop before the warranty expires... if you plan on keeping it that long.

At those prices you'd think someone would be reconditioning the fucking things.
They do. https://www.chargedhybrid.ie/ (https://www.chargedhybrid.ie/) Tell them I sent you.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 04:43:58 pm
I meant the LED lights. Hybrids don't appeal to me at all. Mrs. Catcher used the younger not so young lad's hybrid Auris for a week or so while the MKII Octy was waiting for parts. It didn't suit her heavy right foot at all and it cost more in petrol than the Octy does in diesel. The only one I would consider is the Prius but even the advertised MPG figures for that are heavier than the MKIII Octavia which, in turn, is heavier than the MKII with it's DPF and DSG.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: silverbullet on January 21, 2025, 04:49:20 pm
I meant the LED lights. Hybrids don't appeal to me at all. Mrs. Catcher used the younger not so young lad's hybrid Auris for a week or so while the MKII Octy was waiting for parts. It didn't suit her heavy right foot at all and it cost more in petrol than the Octy does in diesel. The only one I would consider is the Prius but even the advertised MPG figures for that are heavier than the MKIII Octavia which, in turn, is heavier than the MKII with it's DPF and DSG.
Trust me, you won't like the Prius/PriusAlpha after a fortnight. Brilliant cars, but back trouble will ensue.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 05:17:00 pm
Aye... Mrs Catcher didn't find the Auris comfortable to drive. I think she equated it to a washing machine on wheels... although wtf she'd know about the washing machine is beyond me!
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 21, 2025, 05:21:18 pm
Sorry... It's a Yaris, not an Auris... my mind is just getting worse and worserer. Thank fuck for the blue line!
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Octavia1 on January 21, 2025, 05:59:47 pm
Why wud yu buy antin wit the smell of a nordie off it ?  Yu mite get infected an turn inta a rite cnut .... ::fds
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: silverbullet on January 22, 2025, 12:13:32 am
Aye... Mrs Catcher didn't find the Auris comfortable to drive. I think she equated it to a washing machine on wheels... although wtf she'd know about the washing machine is beyond me!
Does she take it out for a spin? 8)
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 22, 2025, 12:24:02 am

Trust me, you won't like the Prius/PriusAlpha after a fortnight. Brilliant cars, but back trouble will ensue.

I think it's still the most popular taxi model in Ireland and by far the most popular minicab option in London. Tens of thousands of first generation immigrants cant be wrong. Them lads mightn't be able to talk English but they sure as hell know the value of a pound.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Panel on January 22, 2025, 04:31:02 am

Trust me, you won't like the Prius/PriusAlpha after a fortnight. Brilliant cars, but back trouble will ensue.

I think it's still the most popular taxi model in Ireland and by far the most popular minicab option in London. Tens of thousands of first generation immigrants cant be wrong. Them lads mightn't be able to talk English but they sure as hell know the value of a pound.

Lads who drop people and curry’s to gaffs know a good heep.

Very seldom you’d see a 1st generation immigrant in an insignia or superb, ifn it’s not a Toyota they don’t want to know.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: silverbullet on January 22, 2025, 02:00:27 pm

Trust me, you won't like the Prius/PriusAlpha after a fortnight. Brilliant cars, but back trouble will ensue.

I think it's still the most popular taxi model in Ireland and by far the most popular minicab option in London. Tens of thousands of first generation immigrants cant be wrong. Them lads mightn't be able to talk English but they sure as hell know the value of a pound.

Lads who drop people and curry’s to gaffs know a good heep.

Very seldom you’d see a 1st generation immigrant in an insignia or superb, ifn it’s not a Toyota they don’t want to know.

There's an Indian/Pak delivering for Domino's in Artane driving an ex-taxi. I know because the glue from the decal is still on the vehicle a few years later.

My point is that, if you have a bad back, Toyota seats won't help.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: Panel on January 22, 2025, 06:33:20 pm

Trust me, you won't like the Prius/PriusAlpha after a fortnight. Brilliant cars, but back trouble will ensue.

I think it's still the most popular taxi model in Ireland and by far the most popular minicab option in London. Tens of thousands of first generation immigrants cant be wrong. Them lads mightn't be able to talk English but they sure as hell know the value of a pound.

Lads who drop people and curry’s to gaffs know a good heep.

Very seldom you’d see a 1st generation immigrant in an insignia or superb, ifn it’s not a Toyota they don’t want to know.

There's an Indian/Pak delivering for Domino's in Artane driving an ex-taxi. I know because the glue from the decal is still on the vehicle a few years later.

My point is that, if you have a bad back, Toyota seats won't help.

My back is fine, front is in ribbons.
Title: Re: Norn Iron Imports
Post by: silverbullet on January 22, 2025, 07:51:23 pm

Trust me, you won't like the Prius/PriusAlpha after a fortnight. Brilliant cars, but back trouble will ensue.

I think it's still the most popular taxi model in Ireland and by far the most popular minicab option in London. Tens of thousands of first generation immigrants cant be wrong. Them lads mightn't be able to talk English but they sure as hell know the value of a pound.

Lads who drop people and curry’s to gaffs know a good heep.

Very seldom you’d see a 1st generation immigrant in an insignia or superb, ifn it’s not a Toyota they don’t want to know.

There's an Indian/Pak delivering for Domino's in Artane driving an ex-taxi. I know because the glue from the decal is still on the vehicle a few years later.

My point is that, if you have a bad back, Toyota seats won't help.

My back is fine, front is in ribbons.
8)