| Big rise in British cars threatens
Irish dealers  By
Niamh Hennessy
IRISH car buyers are flocking across the Irish Sea to purchase their new motors.
In a move which is seeing money being pumped into the British economy
Irish bargain-hunters are buying more cars in Britain for use in Ireland
than ever before.
During the first three months of this year many of the vehicles registered
in Ireland were purchased abroad.
According to vehicle history check website Cartell.ie the number of imported
vehicles arriving to the country has increased by a whopping 54 per cent
in the first three months of the year when compared to the same period
two years ago.
Cartell.ie director Nicola Aherne believes this trend will persist as
long as the economy continues to perform strongly and Vehicle Registration
Tax (VRT) remains in place.
She said: “I have little doubt that we’ll see similar increases
in the first quarter of 2008. The Irish people love their cars and last
year saw a GDP increase of 6 per cent.
“When people have extra money, they’re tempted to splash out
on the luxury of a new car. The importation trend will continue as those
in the market for a new vehicle learn more about the bargains to be had
in places such as Britain. Part of the added value comes from our current
taxation system.”
Ms Aherne said that Cartell.ie has been saying for some time that VRT
encourages buyers to look for bargains overseas and depresses indigenous
car sales.
She added: “We know that many people who import luxury cars understate
their specification in order to reduce the amount of VRT they will pay.
“With approximately 80,000 vehicles being imported annually —
and this figure is increasing month on month — the likelihood of
Revenue inspecting the vehicle is minimal.
“We want the VRT system replaced with one which considers a whole
host of issues, such as mileage and CO2 emissions.”
Ms Aherne said they would urge those planning on importing a car to conduct
a full background check on the vehicle before they hand over a cheque.
She said: “Problems such as outstanding finance owing or altered
mileage can impact hugely on the re-sale value.
“In the worst instances, dodgy vendors can be trying to pass off
stolen or previously crashed vehicles. It’s essential that car buyers
do their homework in advance.” |
