Drivers in Northern Ireland are set to face a significant reduction in the choice of new cars they can purchase from the start of next year, due to incoming post-Brexit regulations.
What Changes on January 1st?
From Thursday 1 January 2026, updated vehicle regulations will come into force. This legislative shift means that a number of car models currently sold in Great Britain will no longer be approved for sale in Northern Ireland. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Motability Scheme confirmed this week that some vehicles listed on its website may become unavailable to customers in the region from the New Year.
The Motability Scheme stated: "This will only affect a few models available to lease through the Motability Scheme, and we’ll still offer a wide range of options to help you find a vehicle that suits your needs." They advised that certain vehicles shown on their ‘Find a vehicle’ tool may no longer be available in NI and encouraged customers to speak directly with their dealer for alternatives.
Industry Warns of Severe Impact
The new rules have sparked serious concern within the local motor trade. Speaking to the Stormont economy committee in November, Alastair Peoples, the National Franchised Dealers Association's (NFDA) Northern Ireland spokesman, issued a stark warning.
He described the situation as "nothing short of a generational challenge for our local industry." Peoples emphasised that the regulations would severely limit consumer options and likely increase costs. "People in Northern Ireland will not have access to the same range of vehicles as the rest of the UK. The cars that do make it through will cost more," he told the committee.
Key Information for Drivers
The Motability Scheme has provided crucial guidance for affected customers. They confirmed that leases for vehicles ordered outside Northern Ireland before the 1 January 2026 deadline should not be affected. However, they added an important stipulation: if a customer's permanent residence changes to Northern Ireland, they must inform either the DWP or Social Security Scotland if they are in Scotland.
This regulatory divergence is a direct consequence of the post-Brexit trading arrangements, specifically the Northern Ireland Protocol and its successor, the Windsor Framework. The changes highlight the ongoing complexities in maintaining a single market for goods across the United Kingdom following its departure from the European Union.
