Used car imports into Ireland grew sharply over the first six months of the year. Central Statistics Office (CSO) data shows imported used private cars rose by more than 25% compared to the same period last year. Petrol and diesel models, along with standard hybrid powertrains, make up the bulk of these registrations.
For motor traders and finance brokers across Ireland, this shift reflects real changes on the forecourt. Supply constraints on local used stock, high price points for new models, and steady demand for affordable daily drivers are pushing buyers toward imported vehicles.
Here is what is driving the numbers, what buyers are searching for online, and how dealerships can turn this trend into steady finance approvals.
What Is Driving The First Half Import Numbers?
The Irish used car market has faced tight inventory for several seasons. High UK used-vehicle prices post-Brexit initially slowed imports, but market dynamics have settled over the past year. Buyers and dealers are once again sourcing inventory from across the Irish Sea and Northern Ireland to plug local stock gaps.
Recent SIMI registration figures show a clear split in how people spend their money:
- ICE and Hybrid Dominance: Pure petrol, diesel, and traditional non-plug-in hybrids account for over 70% of total imported used cars.
- Value-Focused Buyers: High interest rates and cost-of-living pressure mean consumers are targeting 3-to-6-year-old vehicles where depreciation has already levelled off.
- VRT Realities: Changes to VRT structures mean buyers actively compare Nox charges and CO2 bands before buying, making mid-range petrol and self-charging hybrid models the most cost-effective imports.
When buyers head to Google, long-tail searches like “is importing a car from UK still worth it,” “best imported used cars Ireland,” and “how to finance an imported car in Ireland” are seeing high volume. Buyers want reliable engines, clear vehicle histories, and simple payment plans.
The Sub-Prime Opportunity On The Forecourt
As the volume of imported vehicles grows, so does the range of customers looking to buy them. High inflation over recent years left many Irish consumers with temporary blemishes on their credit profiles.
When a customer walks onto a forecourt to buy a €12,000 imported Ford Focus or VW Golf, mainstream prime lenders often decline the application automatically based on automated credit scoring algorithms. A past missed mobile bill or a temporary credit dip shuts the door, leaving the customer without a car and the dealer without a sale.
This is where non-prime Hire Purchase (HP) keeps inventory moving.
Financing imported vehicles for non-prime applicants creates three immediate advantages for dealerships:
- Higher Turnover on Used Stock: Imported petrol and hybrid units generally carry lower price tags than local late-model stock, making monthly HP repayments manageable for credit-challenged buyers.
- Broader Customer Base: Accepting non-prime applicants allows dealers to serve customers rejected by tier-one banks.
- Asset-Backed Security: Hire Purchase routes secure the loan directly against the car, giving lenders clear security while building the customer’s credit profile through steady monthly payments.
How LMO Helps Irish Dealers Clear Imported Inventory
At LMO, we specialise in motor finance solutions tailored for the Irish market. We do not use automated algorithms to decline applications in seconds. We take a human approach to underwriting, reviewing the real story behind every credit profile.
Partnering with LMO helps brokerages and dealerships convert walk-aways into signed deals:
- Human Underwriters: You talk directly to decision-makers who understand the Irish motor trade.
- Flexible HP Options: We structure Hire Purchase agreements designed around what the customer can actually afford each month.
- Fast Turnarounds: Quick credit decisions keep your forecourt moving and stop buyers from shopping elsewhere.
If you want to clear more imported inventory and capture sales that prime lenders turn down, partner with a lender that looks past a credit score.
Contact the LMO team today to set up your dealership or brokerage.