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70% of drivers in the dark about new rule that could mean higher prices for NI car buyers
New research highlights significant knowledge gap over regulatory change
Industry bodies have warned that the new car market here could shrink dramatically as a result of the rule change.
Reporter:
Staff Reporter
26 Jan 2026 3:00 PM
Email:
news@derrynow.com
Over two-thirds of drivers are unaware of a major rule change that could see some popular new cars disappear from dealership forecourts across Northern Ireland.
Due to post-Brexit trading rules, from the start of 2026 all new vehicles sold here need to meet EU approval standards, while those sold in the rest of the UK only require GB type approval.
While car manufacturers can choose to apply for both types of approval, allowing them to sell a vehicle in any part of the UK, many of the biggest companies including Vauxhall, Renault, Peugeot and Nissan have opted for only GB certification.
In short, this means new car buyers in NI will likely face less choice and higher prices than consumers in England, Scotland and Wales.
Disabled drivers will also be impacted by the changes, with the Motability Scheme confirming that some of its vehicles may no longer be available to customers in Northern Ireland. However, it said it would still offer a wide range of alternative vehicles.
While sales of new cars are growing in Great Britain, there has been a marked decline in NI sales. One of the starkest examples of this trend is with Vauxhall, one of the biggest players in the market, which saw a 16% rise in retail sales in GB last year – but a 59% drop in Northern Ireland.
Industry bodies have warned that the new car market here could shrink dramatically as a result of the rule change, impacting not only customers but also dealers as they face potential job losses and fears over future long-term viability.
While the UK Government has announced plans to legislate to ensure all vehicles are dual registered to both the EU and GB approval schemes, as things currently stand, NI drivers are left at a disadvantage.
Despite the significance of these new regulations and what they mean for the NI car industry, research by CompareNI.com has highlighted a lack of awareness among consumers.
In a new survey of 700 NI drivers, just 30% of respondents said they were aware of the new rules, while a further 79% said they were confused by what the changes mean and how they would impact drivers.
When asked what their biggest concern would be regarding the updated regulations, 64% cited higher vehicle costs or tax increases, while 18% were most worried about having fewer new car options available to buy.
Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “These regulations around new car sales in Northern Ireland represent an unprecedented challenge for the industry here and have the potential to cause serious disruption for both consumers and dealers alike.
“Under these rules, anyone looking to buy a new car in 2026 could face reduced choice, with certain models no longer available, or find themselves paying higher costs compared to buyers across the water.
“Higher car prices could also lead to higher insurance premiums for drivers, as the more expensive the vehicle the costlier it is to repair or replace. This will heap further pressure on household budgets already being stretched thin by rising food and energy costs.
“Worryingly, our research indicates that many drivers here remain uninformed about these changes and how they will affect them, which could lead to confusion and disappointment when shopping for a new car.
“It is really positive to see that the Government has announced its intention to make dual approval mandatory for manufacturers, ensuring that Northern Ireland consumers can enjoy the same choice of vehicles as those in the rest of the UK. I hope this process can be expedited, providing much-need clarity and certainty to both consumers and dealers.”
As Northern Ireland’s largest price comparison site, CompareNI.com gives drivers of all ages the tools to shop around and find better quality car insurance at competitive prices.
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