| Ireland is currently experiencing a | | | | vehicles are imported annually, the |
| phenomenal growth especially in terms of the | | | | likelihood of Revenue inspecting the vehicle |
| luxury car importation market. And Audi, the | | | | is minimal." |
| luxury unit of Volkswagen and recipient of | | | | |
| quality VW parts like VW clutch kit which | | | | The deadline for submissions to the |
| include high quality VW clutch ---is | | | | Department of Finance on how a new |
| benefiting from such trend. According to new | | | | emissions-based vehicle tax system should |
| figures released by the Cartell.ie-Ireland's | | | | operate closes this week. The Irish car |
| only used car history check, the Audi imports | | | | taxation system has become an issue for |
| have doubled in the last two years. | | | | debate and one of its vital components is the |
| | | | Vehicle registration Tax. |
| Cost saving and specifications benefits are | | | | |
| available in the UK which explains why | | | | Cartell.ie have always warned car buyers who |
| private buyers and Irish car dealers go to | | | | are looking for bargains in the UK since |
| the extent of flying to UK just to look for | | | | problems usually arise once a car buyer |
| great bargains. Cartel.ie keep information on | | | | attempts to resell cars purchased in the UK |
| every car registered in Ireland and when | | | | once they return to Ireland. Nicola also |
| importation figures from January 05, 06, and | | | | stressed, "Individuals buying overseas need |
| 07 are compared, the result shows that the | | | | to be just as careful as those buying at |
| number of Audis imported into the country | | | | home. Every day, we hear from customers |
| more than triples. | | | | who've picked up cars in the UK only to find |
| | | | when they attempt to sell them in Ireland |
| According to Nicola Aherne, Director of | | | | that they've purchased a car that's been |
| Cartell.ie, attributes such trend to the fact | | | | previously written off or had mileage |
| that more and more high specification car | | | | altered. Unfortunately, unscrupulous sellers |
| buyers are avoiding Vehicle Registration Tax | | | | go out of their way to disguise some of the |
| or VRT. She said, "We're not in the least | | | | less desirable elements of the car's previous |
| bit surprised by these figures. Discerning | | | | history." |
| car-buyers are still eager for a bargain and | | | | |
| know that they can save thousands on the | | | | She also added,"We caution all car buyers to |
| vehicle of their choice by buying overseas. | | | | conduct a thorough background check on the |
| The number of luxury vehicle such as Audis | | | | vehicle of their choice before they hand over |
| and BMWs being imported from countries like | | | | their hard-earned cash. At Cartell.ie, we've |
| the UK will only increase in the next few | | | | come into contact with many car owners who |
| years while the anomaly in Vehicle | | | | have been duped by vendors overseas and are |
| Registration Tax remains in place." | | | | left with very little course of redress." |
| | | | |
| Aherne further added, "It's widely believed | | | | Car importers may conduct their vehicle |
| that many people importing UK cars are | | | | background check via similarly reputable car |
| deliberately understating their | | | | history provision service like the HPI which |
| specification, and in consequence the VRT | | | | could help them to become more informed with |
| they pay is substantially lower than it | | | | the UK versions of Irish vehicle |
| should be. Given that approximately 80,000 | | | | documentation. |