There is another issue too which would bring on the angle grinder that only us downtrodden Paddies would know about. To import and register a vehicle into the Republic of Ireland we need to pay a Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). Being Paddies its within our genes not to pay tax to anyone so since this silly rule came in we have being doing our utmost not to. So, the Government recently brought in a spoilsport new rule which states that we have to present the vehicle to be imported to the relevant authorities within 7 days of entering the state and we must have proof - ie boat tickets. To buy or sell a motor vehicle that is not registered the state is illegal unless you are in the motor trade, but before even the motor trade can deliver the vehicle to its new owner, it must have this silly tax paid on it. There is no legal way out of it and it is illegal for a resident of the RoI to drive a vehicle in the RoI that is registered outside the state. Getting caught simply isnt worth it
So if Paul could get a V5 and a UK reg number, he wont be able to prove when the vehicle was brought into the country. And what if he cant? Well you'll love this ..... The Department of People Who Rob You will estimate when the vehicle came into the country. You will pay a fine, the Tax, and they will make you pay the road tax from the point that they say the vehicle entered the country and this could be up to five years back tax .... at the current rate!! Another section of The Department of People Who Rob You make a note of every vehicle that enters the State and a note of every vehicle that leaves it so they know The When it arrived, they also know The Who drove it off the ferry ( You lot in the UK also have a department like ours who know all about who drives what on and off a car ferry)
So, were Paul to do this red van up he will have to have paid a lot of money before he even starts as the VRT would be about €700, the fine would be roughly the same and the back tax could be three time that.
Or he does it up and sells it out of the country .......
