Praise for illegal vehical clampdown

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today praised both Revenue and the gardaí for their recent success following their clampdown on illegal vehicles on Irish roads.

Of the 3,256 vehicles checked, more than 20% (658) were found to be non-compliant with VRT regulations amounting to a Revenue intake of €1.4m for this two-week campaign alone.

This recent clampdown has also had an effect on the numbers voluntarily registering their vehicles. In response to the campaign, 1,500 imported vehicles were registered voluntarily this past month compared to just 200 last year amounting to a potential boost of as much as €5m to Revenue.

"SIMI has long championed a clampdown on these illegal vehicles on our roads and we welcome the commitment of Revenue and the gardaí to tackle this longstanding problem on an ongoing basis," the organisation said in a statement.

"We have estimated that there are millions of euros in unpaid VRT due on these vehicles around the country," SIMI Director General Alan Nolan said.

"At a time when the State badly needs every euro of tax revenue, this continuing campaign will pay dividends and go a long way to providing a level playing field in relation to the used car market.”

“Most consumers are now aware that prices on Irish forecourts are at least as competitive as those across the border and in the UK. It is often the evasion of VRT and sometimes VAT that makes any significant difference.”