Key points
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From January 1, 2026, new cars registered in Northern Ireland must have EU type approval, not GB-only approval.
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Dealers warn of reduced model availability, potential higher prices, and longer lead times.
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The NFDA is urging temporary measures and longer-term alignment with Great Britain’s rules.
What’s changing
Under post-Brexit rules, Great Britain and the EU have separate type-approval regimes. The NFDA says that, from January 2026, Northern Ireland registrations will be tied to the EU route. Models with only GB approval will not be eligible for first registration in Northern Ireland.
Why it matters
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Reduced choice: Many manufacturers are prioritizing GB-focused approvals, which could remove a significant number of models from Northern Ireland showrooms.
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Price pressure: Dual approvals add cost and admin complexity; the NFDA expects these costs to flow through to retail prices.
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Operational friction: Stock balancing, demonstrator fleets, and pipeline orders for early 2026 become harder to manage if approvals diverge.
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Sales momentum: The NFDA reports NI new-car growth is already lagging GB, citing uncertainty and early impacts from diverging approvals.
Industry response
The NFDA says it has raised concerns with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Cabinet Office, and Stormont’s economy committee. It seeks urgent short-term arrangements to avoid a gap at the 2026 start date, followed by legislation to align NI with GB rules.
Implications for consumers and dealers
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Orders and approvals: Buyers placing orders for 2026 registrations should verify EU or dual approval status for chosen models and variants.
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Lead times and availability: Expect thinner choice lists and possible delays, especially for lower-volume trims lacking EU approval.
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Pricing: Dual-approval and split supply chains may lift prices on models that do reach NI.
Context
The NFDA frames the issue as a consequence of Northern Ireland’s position between two regulatory systems. With EU approval becoming the registration route for NI, models legal to sell in Great Britain might still be blocked from NI registration without EU or dual approval.
What to watch next
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Any UK or NI government interim measures before January 2026.
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Manufacturer decisions on EU/dual approvals for 2026 model-year portfolios.
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Early 2026 trends in registrations, pricing, and allocation volumes for NI dealers.
