Home Reliability Index Brand Guides Comparisons Guides Used EVs Top 20 Performance Cars Running Cost Calculator Get Help →
Buyer's Guide · Ireland 2026

Used Car Imports Ireland 2026 — What to Check Before You Buy

8 March 2026 · CarAdvisor.ie

Ireland imported over 71,800 used cars in 2025 — up 16.6% on the previous year. The vast majority come from the UK. Importing a car from the UK can get you better spec, better value, and a wider choice. But the risks are real and the checks are non-negotiable. Here is exactly what to do before you pay.

← Back to all guides

Why do so many Irish buyers import from the UK?

The UK used car market is dramatically larger than Ireland's. The same car — same year, same spec, same mileage — is often €2,000–€6,000 cheaper on a UK forecourt than on DoneDeal. UK buyers also have access to higher spec and rarer variants that were never sold in Ireland in significant numbers. The appeal is obvious.

Post-Brexit, importing from the UK is slightly more complex — VRT still applies on registration in Ireland, and customs duty and VAT may apply on cars imported from Great Britain (though not Northern Ireland, which remains in the UK VAT area). The Revenue Commissioners' website has a VRT calculator to estimate your liability before you buy.

The five checks you must do on any import

Import Pre-Purchase Checklist

1
HPI / Cartell check on the UK registration — run a full history check on the UK plate before anything else. This will show outstanding finance, write-off (Cat S/N/D) status, stolen status, and mileage history. In the UK use HPI or the AA's vehicle check. Cost: approximately €20–€30. Non-negotiable.
2
DVLA MOT history check — free at gov.uk/check-mot-history. Enter the UK registration and you will see every MOT result, advisory, and failure going back years. This is the most powerful free tool for checking a UK import's history. Mileage at each MOT will show if the clock has been wound back.
3
VRT calculation before you travel — use Revenue's VRT calculator at ros.ie to estimate your VRT liability. This can be several thousand euro on a higher-value car. Factor it into your total cost before agreeing a price.
4
Category S and N write-offs — understand what you're buying — a Cat S write-off means the car was structurally damaged and repaired. A Cat N write-off means non-structural damage was written off. Both must be declared and will affect insurance. Never buy a Cat S without an independent structural inspection by an approved repairer.
5
Independent pre-purchase inspection — for any import over €8,000, pay for an independent inspection before you travel. The AA, RAC, and specialist independents offer this service. A €200 inspection can save you €5,000.
⚠️ Clocking is Common on UK Imports

Mileage fraud — winding back the odometer — is far more common on UK imports than on Irish-history cars. Always cross-reference the mileage on the dash with the MOT history mileage records. Any discrepancy is a red flag. Walk away from any car where the claimed mileage does not match the MOT history records.

Northern Ireland imports — different rules

Cars imported from Northern Ireland are not subject to customs duty or import VAT as Northern Ireland remains within the UK VAT area under the Windsor Framework. VRT still applies on registration in the Republic. NI imports are subject to the same Cartell/HPI check requirement — the DVA (Driver and Vehicle Agency) in NI runs the equivalent of the MOT, and history is checkable via the DVA website.

CarAdvisor Bottom Line

UK imports can be outstanding value — but the checks are non-negotiable. DVLA MOT history, HPI check, VRT calculation, and an independent inspection on anything significant. Shortcuts here cost Irish buyers millions every year. Do the checks every time.

🔍 Search current Irish listings: Imported cars on DoneDeal Used cars on Carzone

Importing a car from the UK?

We can identify the right car, run the checks, and tell you exactly what you're buying before you travel.

Get Expert Advice →