All UK vehicles are now eligible for a VAT reclaim

Up until now it was necessary to target a VAT Qualifying vehicle from Great Britain (GB) in order to get the best value and to achieve savings on prices in Ireland. Since May 2023 it is now possible to reclaim the VAT on any car, meaning that it is no longer necessary to concern yourself with the VAT designation of a vehicle. This new UK government policy is very welcome. It means all GB cars are now cheaper and easier to import, giving you greater choice and better prices than are currently available in Ireland.

This new UK policy does not affect buying a Northern Irish (NI) registered car, as these were never liable for VAT, however NI cars are generally more expensive than their GB equivalents and of course there is significantly less choice in Northern Ireland vs GB. Please read our FAQ on buying from Northern Ireland as there are potential pit falls, some vehicles with a NI number plate were originally GB cars and are liable for duty and VAT but not the reclaim this new policy offers.

Please note it will not be possible for members of the public to make VAT reclaims via this new process as only registered garages can do so. This is the structure of the policy as laid out by the UK government.

What does this mean? It means you can pick any vehicle from autotrader.co.uk or motors.co.uk or any other GB based car sales website and benefit from lower prices that GB cars still offer. It is not a complete return to pre-Brexit trading as duty is still due on all cars over 3 years old (EU produced vehicles, less than 3 years old are eligible for ‘Returned Goods Relief’), however, this development broadens the value through extra choice on offer.

What should I do to avail of this new process? You will need to use an established business in vehicle imports to take advantage of this new development. Our car sourcing page provides a portal through which you can receive a price on a vehicle based in GB. Simply fill out the form and paste in the link of the car you are after. Please be aware there is a charge for this service.