VRT - exemption date for classics?

[simon e]

Hi all,

Hope someone is clued up on the current VRT rules: My dad back in Greystones, Co Wicklow would like to import a 911 into Ireland from the UK (in early 2007). Due to the high road tax and crazy VRT figures he wants to make sure he gets one that is classed as a classic because of its age. He would rather go for a galavanized model such as a 1977 SC.

Question is how old does a car have to be to be VRT and road tax exempt? (I thought once it was over 30 years old it qualified. Just want to check there is not a fixed cut off date such as 1973 etc)

The VRT website is useless, couldn't find the info on there. In the FAQs it was funny - there is a question "What is VRT" and the answer basically does not tell you, just tells you you gotta pay it! I don't think anyone in the Govt could tell you what VRT is!!!!!!!Gits.

Cheers

Simon

[DustyM]

I believe cars over 30 are exempt

Full VRT document here

[url]www.revenue.ie/services/foi/s16_2001/vrt_ins.pdf[/url]

or a quick call to the VRT head office in Rosslare should get you an answer.

[simon e]

Thanks Dusty,

Over 600 pages, oh my god! I had a quick scan through the document and it seems classic vehicles are not exempt from VRT, they are inspcted and classed condition A, B or C and you are then given a VRT amount to pay. Motor bikes over 30 years old are however exempt. It said that in one year alone the Irish govt collected 1.75 million euro in VRT on 260 classic vehicles brought into the state, nice work if you can get it. Looks like my Dad will have to look into this further.....

Cheers

Simon

[simon e]

Just got this confirmation from Paul Kanters at Classic Cars Ireland:

"The cutoff point for VRT is not fixed as in the UK, but it moves along in time. As soon as the car reaches 30 years from the 'exact' date of First Registration (so not manufacture) it will be classed as exempt.

So if your dad purchases a 911 that was first registered in July 1977, he cannot bring the car in UNTIL August 2007, unless it mentions the exact day as well: so for example 21st of July 1977, would mean, 22nd July 2007 the car will be exempt from VRT and Road tax."

So looks like he'll be ok, thank God!

Sorry Dusty, you were right all along.

Simon

[DustyM]

Cool, No VRT, No Road Tax and No NCT either, now where's that copy of Practical Classics

[ballcock]

I'm very interested to hear how this goes .. Remember the insurance is going to be mega-low as well as long as the mileage is kept low annually.

It's a nice little day-dream I have that I've got something modern for the day to day (a 997c2s would do nicely .. mines gettin on now!!) and then a 30 year old classic for the weekends ...

Does your Dad have any particular reason for waiting til 2007 ? .. I thought they were galvanised from the early '70s on ... And remember galvanised doesn't mean 'rust proof' , those sills could be hiding any manner of nightmare... even with the galvanised models .. so I'm told.

[simon e]

My Dad's gotta wait until 2007 for the cashola.....

He fancies an SC because they have a few creature comforts that the earlier ones don't. He would also consider something like a 1976 3.0 Carrera. I know about galvanising not meaning rust proof, seen too many rusty SC's and 3.2's to fall into that trap.

Cheerio and I'll let you all know when he takes the plunge.

Simon

[SpudMurphy]

To be really pedantic, a car is never free of VRT but once it is 30 or more years old, the VRT is €50.