UK to Ireland · since 2018Send us the car

Buying a UK car for Ireland

Seven steps from the advert to Irish plates. We do the UK end; our partner UK Car Imports does the Irish end. You choose the car and we tell you what is happening at every step.

See it happen

From a UK forecourt to Irish plates

A red BMW M3 on a city street

You choose the car

Any car at any UK dealer. Pick one already priced for Ireland on ukcarimports.ie, or send us the link.

  • Any UK dealer
  • Priced for Ireland
  • We hold no stock

Every step, in detail

  1. Choose the carPick one already priced for Ireland on ukcarimports.ie, or send us the link to any UK advert. Every car is at a UK dealer; nothing sits on a forecourt of ours.
  2. Reserve itA deposit holds the car with the dealer and starts the checks. The deposit, the balance and every charge are set out on the car page before you pay anything.
  3. We check and inspectHistory check as standard. A qualified mechanic inspects the car where it stands, scans it and sends you the written report with photos. If the car is not right, you walk away and the deposit comes back less the inspection.
  4. We buy itOnce you approve, we invoice the balance and Carbuyerbuddy Ltdbuys the car from the dealer. The dealer invoices a UK VAT-registered company, so the UK VAT is recovered where the car qualifies. We arrange the V5C and the dealer's export paperwork.
  5. CustomsOur customs agent lodges the declaration before the car moves. We check the duty position: UK-built cars go duty free when their origin is shown, and we gather the proof the dealer or manufacturer can give.
  6. TransportOur transporter collects the car from the dealer, with the original V5C, and takes it straight to the port and across to Dublin. The car is never driven on UK roads.
  7. VRT, Irish plates and handoverUK Car Imports books and completes the VRT inspection, your Irish registration is issued, and the car is delivered to your door or collected in Dublin. Typical time from deposit to handover is about two weeks.

Ours (UK)

  • History check and the mechanic's inspection
  • Buying the car from the dealer
  • Recovering the UK VAT where the car qualifies
  • The V5C and the dealer's export notification
  • Customs declaration and the duty position
  • Transport from the dealer to the port and across

UK Car Imports (Ireland)

  • The landed price, with everything in it
  • Deposit, invoice and your account
  • Irish import VAT and duty at the port
  • VRT inspection, Irish registration and plates
  • Delivery to your door or collection in Dublin
  • Motor tax guidance and the Irish logbook

Yours

  • Choosing the car
  • Saying yes or no to the inspection report
  • Paying the deposit and the balance
  • Insurance from the day you take the car

What it costs

One landed price on the car page at ukcarimports.ie: the car, transport, customs duty where it applies, VAT, VRT and our handling. The inspection and a warranty are optional and shown separately. The rules behind every line are in the 2026 import guide.

Found a car that is not on ukcarimports.ie? Send us the link and we will price it for Ireland and run the same process.