Ireland is currently experiencing a phenomenal growth especially in terms of the luxury car importation market. And Audi, the luxury unit of Volkswagen and recipient of quality VW parts like VW clutch kit which include high quality VW clutch ---is benefiting from such trend. According to new figures released by the Cartell.ie—Ireland’s only used car history check, the Audi imports have doubled in the last two years.

Cost saving and specifications benefits are available in the UK which explains why private buyers and Irish car dealers go to the extent of flying to UK just to look for great bargains. Cartel.ie keep information on every car registered in Ireland and when importation figures from January 05, 06, and 07 are compared, the result shows that the number of Audis imported into the country more than triples.

According to Nicola Aherne, Director of Cartell.ie, attributes such trend to the fact that more and more high specification car buyers are avoiding Vehicle Registration Tax or VRT. She said, “We’re not in the least bit surprised by these figures. Discerning car-buyers are still eager for a bargain and know that they can save thousands on the vehicle of their choice by buying overseas. The number of luxury vehicle such as Audis and BMWs being imported from countries like the UK will only increase in the next few years while the anomaly in Vehicle Registration Tax remains in place.�

Aherne further added, “It’s widely believed that many people importing UK cars are deliberately understating their specification, and in consequence the VRT they pay is substantially lower than it should be. Given that approximately 80,000 vehicles are imported annually, the likelihood of Revenue inspecting the vehicle is minimal.�

The deadline for submissions to the Department of Finance on how a new emissions-based vehicle tax system should operate closes this week. The Irish car taxation system has become an issue for debate and one of its vital components is the Vehicle registration Tax.

Cartell.ie have always warned car buyers who are looking for bargains in the UK since problems usually arise once a car buyer attempts to resell cars purchased in the UK once they return to Ireland. Nicola also stressed, “Individuals buying overseas need to be just as careful as those buying at home. Every day, we hear from customers who’ve picked up cars in the UK only to find when they attempt to sell them in Ireland that they’ve purchased a car that’s been previously written off or had mileage altered. Unfortunately, unscrupulous sellers go out of their way to disguise some of the less desirable elements of the car’s previous history.�

She also added,�We caution all car buyers to conduct a thorough background check on the vehicle of their choice before they hand over their hard-earned cash. At Cartell.ie, we’ve come into contact with many car owners who have been duped by vendors overseas and are left with very little course of redress.�

Car importers may conduct their vehicle background check via similarly reputable car history provision service like the HPI which could help them to become more informed with the UK versions of Irish vehicle documentation.