Motocard – reliable retailer or not?

[Salted_Peanut]

What’s Motocard like? Have you ever used them?

TrustPilot reviews seem mixed—almost 70% are five-star, but over 10% of reviews are one-star.

[Exasperated]

They're ok until something goes wrong. You won't want to deal with them for warranties or returns. Probably better off paying the extra to buy in the UK

[Vantagemech..]

Bought a cheap helmet from them, turned up after 10 days only to be too small. Asked if it could be swapped for a larger size to which I was told its £30+ to return the one you have now. Thus the savings over a UK purchase lost. My missus tried it on and thankfully it fitted her so not a total loss. Subsequently bought a completely different lid at 3 times the cost from another supplier. As said, all good till a return is required -but they were very quick replying to the emails so not difficult to deal with.

[DFNorfolk]

I’ve bought a couple of things from them and got slightly caught out on having to pay VAT on a helmet, which is VAT free, but the shipping company sorted that part for me whilst Motocard washed their hands of it.

To be fair they do say something on their website about them not being responsible for those sort of taxes but wouldn’t use them again because of their lack of interest in helping to sort.

[Salted_Peanut]

Thanks – very helpful. Do you think Motardinn is any better? Or worse?

Some products aren’t available from UK retailers, so buying from overseas can be the only option.

[lazybike]

used them a few times for helmets always been good.

[DFNorfolk]

You got me looking again as their prices are good and just got this pop up on their site:



So should resolve some of the downsides of buying from them.

[moanthebairns]

I've bought from them before but with the added VAT it's just not worth the punt anymore. If its under I believe £135 its VAT exempt, but I know places like FC MOTO now have a minimum order of £135 for the UK so you can't avoid it.

[lazybike]

There's no VAT on safety equipment

[GSA_fattie]

Salted_Peanut said:

Thanks – very helpful. Do you think Motardinn is any better? Or worse?

Some products aren’t available from UK retailers, so buying from overseas can be the only option.

used Motardinn for clothing whcih was no longer avibale in GB fine much cheaper

also used Snowinn for ski stuff when one of the kids went skiing again no issues

[Salted_Peanut]

Vantagemech.. said:

all good till a return is required

I'm about to find out what the returns process is like. Wish me luck!

lazybike said:

There's no VAT on safety equipment

Aren’t helmets the only motorcycle PPE that’s zero-rated for VAT?

[HughiusMaximus]

Salted_Peanut said:

Aren’t helmets the only motorcycle PPE that’s zero-rated for VAT?

Dont think so - I have bought multiple non Arai helmets from Chromeburner (NL?) and never paid VAT

[lazybike]

No vat on safety equipment, so helmets are vat free, I still don't get how European retailers can do them so much cheaper and still make a profit.

[Salted_Peanut]

We pay VAT for motorcycle safety equipment except helmets. Hence, IAM Roadsmart’s campaign for airbag vests to become VAT-exempt.

Motorcycle helmets are zero-rated for VAT, not VAT-exempt. The difference probably matters if you sell helmets.

[gareth_r]

moanthebairns said:

I've bought from them before but with the added VAT it's just not worth the punt anymore. If its under I believe £135 its VAT exempt, but I know places like FC MOTO now have a minimum order of £135 for the UK so you can't avoid it.

£135 is the duty threshold, so no import duty under £135, but you pay VAT to the vendor or the platform (eBay, Amazon, Ali Express etc.) and they send it to HMRC.

Above £135 the duty and VAT is collected by UK Customs. FC Moto evidently do not want to be registered for VAT with HMRC.