Registering a van in the UK - Help please!

SligoSean

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice concerning a van import from Ireland (Republic) into the UK.

A few years back I drove my van (owned for about 6 months at that time) back to the UK on what I thought was a temporary visit. I notified the Insurance company and kept them informed as I was unsure of when I would return, and all was fine. When my insurance expired, I parked the van off road and when I decided to stay, I began enquiries into registering the van. At this stage, the van was under ten years old and the process became extremely complex for reasons that I cannot now recall but involved Type Approval. The van is now over ten years old and I am thinking about registering it again, but I have just read that I should have registered it with the HMRC within 14 days of arrival (about 3 years ago) and may suffer a £5 per day charge for not doing so! From my point of view, I did not (initially) bring the vehicle into the UK as an import and did not realise that I needed to register it with HMRC. Also, when I made enquiries with the DVLA Swansea and the local office, I was not informed of this requirement and nobody seemed to know the correct procedure, although they have made this very clear now.

A few general points:

The van is to be used for personal use.
I know that the van was first registered in the North of Ireland, then exported to the Republic.
I did contact the DVLNI before the van was 10 years old concerning UK registration and Type Approval, but they informed me that this did not exclude it from Type Approval (wrong, but this is what they told me and were very unhelpful).
The van is now over 10 years old.


I suppose my main questions are:

What should I do about the HMRC? The stuff on the directgov site says that you need proof that you've registered the van with HMRC before they will register the vehicle.
Also, how would I obtain proof that the van had been first registered in Northern Ireland?
What are my options?

The van is in good condition, low mileage and I have had it regularly serviced, so it would be a shame to have to scrap it.

One other issue:
As I've been living in England and none of my relatives chose to inform me (thanks!), I did not realise that I needed to register it as "off road" at home in Ireland! I did not receive any letter at my address either. What should I do about this?

I have read lots of threads on different forums but this seems to be a different case as the van has been in England for a while. Also, the fact that I haven't registered it as off road in Ireland and the HMRC thing makes it unusual. I have toyed with the idea of just insuring it in Ireland and driving it in England, but I would be concerned about being stopped/accident etc.

What do you think? Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Sean

SligoSean

Bumping.

Richard

SligoSean wrote: »

Bumping.

Given it's registered in the Republic, would it be better taking it back there and selling it?

I can't see them enforcing this but then I don't really know. I suppose HMRC are really the ones to speak to.

SligoSean

Thanks Richard, but that is one of the things I'm trying to find out before I contact them (HMRC), or I could be facing a tax bill worth more than the van!
Someone with experience of this may know if they ask for proof of when the vehicle arrived in the UK? Or does that just apply to new vehicles or newly purchased vehicles?
Would I be able to legally drive the van back to Ireland anyways?

Thanks again Richard.

afatbollix

Just go into a DVLA office and register it.

They will need loads of paper work but I wasnt asked for a HRMC form.

To be honest its not worth the hassle if I was you I would get it back to Ireland and sell it in Ireland.

I had to even get Audi Germany to send me paperwork to get mine registered. It was a joke. Unlike the Irish where all you need is the cash for the VRT you get Irish plates where as in the UK they want a folder of information but at least they dont want any cash.

SligoSean

Thanks fatbollix.

I remember having loads of hassle before, but the van is over ten years old now, so it should be easier. They have just closed down all the local DVLA offices in England, makes it harder too I guess. Everything has to be sent back to DVLA Swansea and you know yourself - you'll never get the same person to deal with. I would bring it back but would be wary of getting stopped going onto the boat without tax/nct (I could insure it).

As I said, it's a tricky situation.

corktina

I think I would try and bluff it out, if necessary say it's been back and forth to Ireland for the last three years but NOW you have decided to stay and want to re-reg it. Maybe they won't check.

Don't volunteer info, wait for them to ask. A story that is too pat will be suspicious

Gene Hunt

If your van was originally a UK / Ni reg then that UK reg should be on your Irish VLC document ,also did you pay vat on the van when you bought? they will want proof , get an invoice showing vat was paid here in Ireland.
Or have a business owner in the UK bring it in for you it's much easier for them even if they have to pay vat they can claim it back.
Or bring the van back here and sell it here.....need help to get it back contact me ,we have Artics back and forward to the UK weekly from Tyrone/ Donegal area.
Just curious....what make and model?