CAP Green Book is warning van buyers to be aware of parallel imports from Ireland with British plates which could cost the unwary buyer up to £750 at resale after three years. The warning comes in the latest edition of the book, which says it has never been easier to misidentify a parallel because some imports are registered in the UK, as opposed to having BAZ or GAZ on the registration plate.

Green Book senior editor, David Hill, said: 'Examples have been cropping up all over the country during the past couple of months, with a significant number of V-plate Transits and Dropsides with very low miles putting in appearances. 'We have often warned that vigilance is critical in order to avoid being saddled with something other than you bargained for but never before has it been so easy to misidentify a parallel.' While importing an Irish vehicle and registering it in Britain is not illegal and the Irish and British vans have virtually the same spec, the market will pay less for any van which is not 100% intended for the UK market.

Hill added: 'As far as risks to the unwary, this is more of an issue for the late plate buyer. On new vehicles the difference between the UK spec and the Irish van is typically about £3,000 - roughly the value of the servicing and warranty package missing on the import. By the time these have expired the difference falls to between £500 and £750 at three years old.'