Northern Irish plates

IM

I’m looking to buy a second-hand car, and I am seeing a number of vehicles with Northern Irish plates, which are a good deal cheaper than the GB-plated equivalents.Is there any reason for this/any cause for me to give them a wide berth?

wdyw

Several years ago a lot of people from N.I. bought their cars south of the border as they were simply cheaper. The spec might not be the same as for the equivalent UK car.

IM

Ahh...

When you say "several years ago" do you mean that the price differences aren't there now, and that a 2005 car is likely to be NI, rather than RoI-sourced?

thetope

a 2005 car is very likely to be an UK/NI car, as after the euro came in, car prices have gotten astronomical in the ROI and the trend has in fact reversed with people in ROI sourcing cars from NI.

No idea why the NI-plated cars you are seeing are cheaper than GB equivalent, seems strange to me as prices are often slightly dearer here...So long as you do all the HPI checks, make sure and check chassis and engine numbers aren't tampered with, i don't see any reason why not to go for one. I think NI numberplates are nicer looking than GB ones, but then i'm biased

IM

That's great - thanks for your help.

It is a major well-respected car supermarket that I'm looking at, so I think I should be okay HPI-wise.

I don't know why somewhere in this part of the world (north-west England) should have so many NI cars - I guess the Fleetwood/Liverpool ferry routes make it more 'local' than other parts of GB?

wdyw

Is it really a NI car or one thats got an NI plate on it? So many mainlanders are so easily parted from their dosh for run of the mill NI "personal" plates.

IM

At the end of the day, I'm not bothered about what plate is on it.

I was just concerned in case there might be an issue with insurance or something if it is classed as an 'imported' car.