Buy car in NI and take to GB - tips?

[Bobby Dazzler]

Given that it's all within the UK I'm hoping it's relatively simple, but has anyone purchased a car in NI and taken it back to GB, and registered it there?

Spotted a car I quite fancy near Belfast, and it's just got me thinking.

Any tips on dealing with paperwork, MOT, tax, insurance, registration, ferry, etc?

 

[moonloops]

Northern Ireland is part of the UK so everything should be pretty straight forward..

You can re-register it at a local DVLA office.

The vehicle excise and MOT is recognised here so should be good to go.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


Years ago I bought an MX5 from Dublin to save a few quid...

Flew out, and from memory as I was 100% which MX5 I was buying I insured it under my number plate and had a stick on front and rear plate...

Bought the car, did a one way ticket on ferry and had a new MOT done on return.

I was with my brother and I remember trying to find parking for us in Dublin as we stayed over night and had a night out. Ended up asking a policeman.....(stick on number plates and no tax...) he had us follow him to a safe parking area !! result.

Kept the MX5 for 4 years it was ace

 

[nigel cross]

I dont think you have to re register it here as NI is part of the UK, my next door neighbour was from NI and bought her car across with her and its still on the same plates.

 

[malluboy77]

I moved from Belfast 4 years ago. Took both our cars here. Had to go to DVLA office to change V5C. Took few minutes and job was done. You can get new plates or keep the NI plate. I chose to keep them.

 

[2424]

If you are happy then buy it, cheapest ferry route is normally P&O Larne to Cairnryan or if going from Belfast price Stena (you can price both on-line). Register and Tax the car in England and you have the option to keep the NI reg (English "private" plate) or revert to the appropriate year English Registration. It really is that simple. With companies such as Synter and Lookers owning the most of the dealerships in NI, a lot of cars go backwards and forwards.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Given that it's all within the UK I'm hoping it's relatively simple, but has anyone purchased a car in NI and taken it back to GB, and registered it there?

Spotted a car I quite fancy near Belfast, and it's just got me thinking.

Any tips on dealing with paperwork, MOT, tax, insurance, registration, ferry, etc?

It is really straightforward as its part of the UK. However, a word of warning - HPI don't guarantee their information on cars registered in NI.

Shouldn't be an issue but figured I'd mention it anyway! I've found DVLNI to be extremely helpful over the phone.

 

[Lenny63]

What car is it ?i live in belfast

 

[Lenny63]

Ps all you need to do is register it with dvla on your return to England wee buns

I've actually bought cars from England and brought them
Home and process is exactly the same

Southern Ireland purchases are a completely different ball game though

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks for all of your replies.

Thinking about getting home: Any thoughts on insuring an NI registered car using GB insurance, any complications there?

 

[trapperjohn]

None. Wifey has an NI registration, its short for Elizabeth.

 

[renault12ts]

None. Wifey has an NI registration, its short for Elizabeth.

Except the I is actually an L? I have a friend called Liz too....with an LLZ.

 

[renault12ts]

Hello


Years ago I bought an MX5 from Dublin to save a few quid...

Flew out, and from memory as I was 100% which MX5 I was buying I insured it under my number plate and had a stick on front and rear plate...

Bought the car, did a one way ticket on ferry and had a new MOT done on return.

I was with my brother and I remember trying to find parking for us in Dublin as we stayed over night and had a night out. Ended up asking a policeman.....(stick on number plates and no tax...) he had us follow him to a safe parking area !! result.

Kept the MX5 for 4 years it was ace

But really this is irrelevant because Dublin is not in NI...nor the UK.

 

[A210AMG]

^ oops sorry teach me to read the title better

 

[ss201]

I bought a car from a fellow Mercedes-Benz Club member in N. I. Flew out from Blackpool using Jet2. Seller collected me at the airport. Came back via ferry from Belfast to Birkenhead. Had to allow an overnight in Belfast (fortunately the seller was very hospitable and allowed me to stay at his house). Had to report to the ferry 2 hours before departure, + 8 hours on the ferry with little to do; 10 hours on the boat was unbelievably boring. Recommend an overnight ferry with cabin, but that increases the cost.

Sent the V5 to DVLA Swansea (on the recommendation of the seller) - mistake , DVLA had no knowledge of the car as it was registered with N.I. DVLA - the two don't share computer-based information, so that was eventually returned to me, and it took longer than necessary to re-register it.

Other than that, no problems. Had the benefit of sharing a few pints of Guinness with the seller and his pals at his local, so I considered that a definite bonus!