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