Advice on bringing classic in from England

hk797

Finally found a classic I can afford in England.

Got a mechanic giving her a tune up before going over to collect next week.

MOT ran out last May so shes been sitting in a lockup.

So no insurance, mot or road tax on it since then.

First time I've brought a car in from across the puddle - any advice on what I need to arrange before driving it back much appreciated.

No probs on VRT as shes a 75 so over 30 years old.

dubtom

Well it has to be insured to drive it over, Mine was from the UK also but the problem I had is that I couldn't avail of the group rates that you can get through clubs because an engineer's report would be need. So it cost me a lot more than It could have been got for. AA cover is a must, I had it already but it covers any car I drive. I got mine shipped to holyhead from shefield, the car would have made it no problem but it was my first time and I was a bit nervous and had visions of being stuck on a motorway and missing the boat. As it turned out the truck was late and I missed the boat,such is life.

MercMad

I think you will need to find out if it has been declared SORN. The UK cops have plenty of those cameras that scan number plates and if yours shows up as being off the road, or tax expired no MOT or whatever they could stop you and you may be in trouble !

Anyway you will need insurance, so get that sorted and get a disc with either the UK reg number or chassis number and a letter of cover.

I did mine a good few years ago that way and my car was Tax'd and MOT'd so I wasn't likely to be stopped !

Still broke down and had to stop a few times to check stuff, but I was able to sort that out myself on the move, no big deal !

Blue850

Get AA or RAC cover, my cousin did this when he bought a rover P4 in Scotland, its brakes stuck on and he had to get transported to Liverpool by towtruck

Abelloid

I don't think anyone will insure you without an MOT, and you can't drive in the UK without one anyway.
Give John Flynn a buzz on 059-9143519 or 087-2990141 he can pick it up for you.
What is it? Any pics?
Justin.

dubtom

An mot was never mentioned when I enquired about insurance, it's useless over here anyway, although I did get one with the car.

camarobill

e- mail tomcorvette,or send a private message,u dont need an mot for insurance,as long as its over 30 years old.tomcorvette has done this trip a fair few times and is a1 on the info,;) he was only over there last week bringing home another motor for the stable:D :eek:

Abelloid

Ok, I'm wrong about the MOT then, bloody Hibernian :rolleyes:

RobAMerc

Jaysus I am lucky, mine had MOT and Tax and I just transfered my ordinary cover onto it for the weekend, but it was only firing on about 3 cylinders and because the trains weren't running and the replacement bus driver got lost in Wigan I was left with 200 miles to cover in 4 hrs.

Lucky I bought a Merc I even had time for a chat with other lads bringing in classics before we got on the ferry


When I read some of the other stories I think I was bloody lucky!
But I'd do it again.

corktina

insurance is a must of course....i usually phone my company, give them the UK number and they are quite happy to cover me. I wouldnt worry about Tax and MoT, just get a dated receipt saying you just bought it and you wont get any grief from the UK bizzies (provising it is roadworthy of course), they will know you will be out of the country in a few hours and wont want to bother......technically it's an offense but they cant endorse a Irsh licnese can they?:)

PS AA cover is a must and it is a steal!!!!!! always get my moneys worth from it

dubtom

AA cover is a must. i know I've said that already. I've only had to use it twice in four years but each time it saved me the price of a tow. One time I got towed home and then to a mechanic the next morning. Your talking at least 100-150 a pop for a tow.

corktina

dubtom wrote:

AA cover is a must. i know I've said that already. I've only had to use it twice in four years but each time it saved me the price of a tow. One time I got towed home and then to a mechanic the next morning. Your talking at least 100-150 a pop for a tow.

...and get the recovery plus thing whatever they call it and they bring you home from anywhere in europe .......saves a pile of petrol and you can kip in the truck!

manta mad

just change over your insurance for the day.
that will cover you. as for the police they wont do any thing if they stop you as the car is leaving the country.
look up www.cartrans.co.uk there company is good for bringing cars to the ports. they even take pics of the car as its been loaded. & in some cases they will pay for the car for you, till you get to the port & pay them.
id always drive mine home from england (iv been very lucky so far)
& the aa is a must to have. they would get you out of trouble&off the road
if broken down.
best of luck with the car,post some pics when you get it back.

hk797

Just checked to see if any replies ...

blown away by all the helpful tips ...

thks a mill one and all ...

will post photos and trip report when tiny is on home soil ...

on the rocky road

MercMad

Just be aware that the UK cops have clamped down a lot lately and the DO possess the power to confisgate an untaxed/unMOT'd car !

You have no way to prove a car is roadworthy to them if it has no MOT !

corktina

thats true, but then you call the AA for a tow ;-)