Anyone ever registered an imported classic car?

[paterson12]

Hello all.

I've bought a rhd 60s Porsche 911 from Australia.

The car is due to arrive at the mot station on 15th July. The problem is that the insurance will only cover the car on the VIN number for 30 days but the car will take 6 weeks to register it?

Also on the dvla form (V55/5) its asking me for when the car was first registered, which I don't know. I know the car is between January 1968 and the delivery date of July 1968. Can I get away with just putting the delivery date?

Any info/advise would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[oldguy57]

Only ever imported from the states and I am not sure where 6 weeks comes from. Local DVLA used to do it within 3 or 4 days. To be fair I have found that if you get all the paperwork correct the DVLA turn stuff round very quickly. I would use the date 1st January if you cannot get any more info from specialist websites. Be prepared for the dreaded VAT and import duty if applicable.

 

[paterson12]

Only ever imported from the states and I am not sure where 6 weeks comes from. Local DVLA used to do it within 3 or 4 days. To be fair I have found that if you get all the paperwork correct the DVLA turn stuff round very quickly. I would use the date 1st January if you cannot get any more info from specialist websites. Be prepared for the dreaded VAT and import duty if applicable.

Thanks for your reply.
I saw 6 to 8 weeks from somewhere, obviously it's all via the postal system now so it may take longer.
I've already paid the 5% Vat. Fortunately my car was old enough to avoid the 10% import duty, thank god!!

 

[wongl]

Same here, when I imported my LHD VW Corrado from the States back in the nineties, the local DVLA office in London issued the new registration for my import on the spot. The nice clerk at the local DVLA office even allowed me to choose the registrations available for the year of my car!

 

[smillion]

I've imported 2 Mustangs from USA in recent years and the 6 week this looks a bit strange to me. DVLA were quite quick.

I have an example completed V55/5 if you want to take a look. pm me with an email and I'll send across. I have n idea when in 1965 my Mustang was made and it didn't seem to matter.

The insurance was on VIN as yOu say although I don't remember the 30 day thing. That said I drove the Mustang from Southampton port to the MOT station and it didn't take long to pass it

Good luck. Always an exciting prospect.

I would be interested to know what to expect to pay to ship from Australia, and whether the VAT and Duty are any more than 5% for classic cars ?

Marc

 

[paterson12]

I've imported 2 Mustangs from USA in recent years and the 6 week this looks a bit strange to me. DVLA were quite quick.

I have an example completed V55/5 if you want to take a look. pm me with an email and I'll send across. I have n idea when in 1965 my Mustang was made and it didn't seem to matter.

The insurance was on VIN as yOu say although I don't remember the 30 day thing. That said I drove the Mustang from Southampton port to the MOT station and it didn't take long to pass it

Good luck. Always an exciting prospect.

I would be interested to know what to expect to pay to ship from Australia, and whether the VAT and Duty are any more than 5% for classic cars ?

Marc

Thanks for that. Well I hope it's shorter than 6 weeks, that would be nice.

If you could send me an example of the v5/5 that would be fantastic! I'll pm you in a sec.

The shipping cost was £1800 (ish) roll on roll off service including insurance. The Vat was 5% with no import duty as the car was over 30 years old.

What did it for me was the Australian exchange rate which made the car reasonabe.

As you said, it's certainly an exciting prospect!

 

[Liquid silver]

Do you not need to get a NOVA? (Notice of Vehicle Arrival form) from HMRC. This confirms to DVLA that no taxes are due. You will also need to complete a V55/5 form, also to send all original documents showing first registration, year of manufacturer, weight of vehicle etc. all this should be shown on the vehicles registration documents plus of course a MoT. You may also have to produce a Certificate of Conformity. I am going through this myself with a Pagoda I purchased in Essen this year. Good luck we will both need it.

 

[paterson12]

Do you not need to get a NOVA? (Notice of Vehicle Arrival form) from HMRC. This confirms to DVLA that no taxes are due. You will also need to complete a V55/5 form, also to send all original documents showing first registration, year of manufacturer, weight of vehicle etc. all this should be shown on the vehicles registration documents plus of course a MoT. You may also have to produce a Certificate of Conformity. I am going through this myself with a Pagoda I purchased in Essen this year. Good luck we will both need it.

My tax was done through a broker, so I didn't deal directly with the HMRC, just the bank transfer. I've got the Australian V5 but it doesn't show much information on it to be honest (less comprehensive than the British v5) so I can feel that there's going to be a problem with the dvla but I'll send it all off with a letter of explanation and see what happens.
I certainly hope it goes smoothly for the both of us!

 

[jaymanek]

I wouldnt send anything off in the hope... It will just waste at least a week or two...
Get on the phone, explain what you have and they will advise what to do.
Best to get everything in order before you post as they wont even open your envelope for a few days.

However if everything is in order, it can be back in as little as 10 days.

I have done this a couple of times recently. Its a lot easier if the cars are bought within the EU as there are no tax questions.

 

[oldguy57]

As above dont take a flyer at the paperwork it will only cause delays. Speak to DVLA - unfortunately you wont always get the correct answer but its a good backup. DVLA also sometimes inspect before registering but I think this is pretty rare. A friend just had a vehicle inspected by a very friendly guy but it was obvious he had no idea what he was looking at. Got registered though!

 

[wywywywy]

Hi.

I've imported a Japanese car from Japan. All cars that are over 10 years old are of the same process.

You need to request an "Import Pack" from the DVLA website, then complete the V55/5 form.

Together with the form, you need the original certificate from the original country (to prove year of manufacture), your proof of identity, MOT cert, and money for tax & reg.

The tax is PLG class 11 for cars over 10 years old.

It takes about 5-10 working days between sending the form and receiving the V5.

Cars over 10 years old don't need SVA/IVA/European Certificate of Conformity.

DVLA is not TOO strict on the exact date of manufacturing, as long as it's over 10 years old. So January or July 1968, it doesn't matter too much. Whichever it says on the Austrailian doc.

Admiral only gave me 14 days insurance which was not enough but I managed to get it extended to 30 days which was plenty. Insurance must be valid on the date that the tax becomes valid. And you get to choose the tax start date. So you could potentially work around that.

 

[paterson12]

Hi.

I've imported a Japanese car from Japan. All cars that are over 10 years old are of the same process.

You need to request an "Import Pack" from the DVLA website, then complete the V55/5 form.

Together with the form, you need the original certificate from the original country (to prove year of manufacture), your proof of identity, MOT cert, and money for tax & reg.

The tax is PLG class 11 for cars over 10 years old.

It takes about 5-10 working days between sending the form and receiving the V5.

Cars over 10 years old don't need SVA/IVA/European Certificate of Conformity.

DVLA is not TOO strict on the exact date of manufacturing, as long as it's over 10 years old. So January or July 1968, it doesn't matter too much. Whichever it says on the Austrailian doc.

Admiral only gave me 14 days insurance which was not enough but I managed to get it extended to 30 days which was plenty. Insurance must be valid on the date that the tax becomes valid. And you get to choose the tax start date. So you could potentially work around that.

Thanks, some very useful information/tips so I certainly appreciate that! I'll just put the July 68 delivery date in that case.