UK car auctions and tax

mikefrommeath

Hi all,

I am buying a car at auction in the UK.

Can I drive the car to the ferry port without car tax? how strict are the police in England, did anyone do this?

Thanks

Henry Ford III

No. The car must be taxed. UK police are quite strict too. Loads of ANPR in use.

Put the minimum length of UK road tax on the car.

bazz26

Can a non UK resident tax a car in the UK?

Henry Ford III

bazz26 wrote: »

Can a non UK resident tax a car in the UK?

Not sure it matters as a seller always can.

bazz26

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Not sure it matters as a seller always can.

I know dealers over there are not allowed to leave a car they sell leave their forecourt without it being taxed. A private seller could tax it on behalf of the new buyer but not sure how auction houses operate though.

mikefrommeath

Thanks for the relpys,

I am not buying it of a dealer, I,m buying it from a auction. All I want to do is drive it 3 hours to the ferry in holly-head.
Would you chance it?
What would happen if I was stopped, fin etc?

corktina

they would seize your car, especially as you are not a resident and would leave the jurisdiction. I would not chance it

It's also worth bearing in mind, if the car isn't SORNd it HAS to be insured over there. If it isn't on the System (or is SORNd) they definitely will seize it. Yu would need to show insurance ON THE CAR, third party extension will be no good to you.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

corktina wrote: »

they would seize your car, especially as you are not a resident and would leave the jurisdiction. I would not chance it

It's also worth bearing in mind, if the car isn't SORNd it HAS to be insured over there. If it isn't on the System (or is SORNd) they definitely will seize it. Yu would need to show insurance ON THE CAR, third party extension will be no good to you.

Really?
I think they would find it difficult to take a car that I am insured to drive, in all fairness.

corktina

I thought that but it's called "Continuous Insurance". If the car is on the road there has to be an Insurance Policy specifically covering it. They will seize it for no insurance as it is in contravention of that Law. It doesn't matter that you have a policy with 3rd party extention, your car will be illegal if it does not have it's own policy.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/uninsured-vehicles

mullingar

Strictly according to the UK law it needs to be taxed.

But you would be the unluckiest person if you were pulled over by a policeperson who drew an instant dislike to you for what ever reason and got it confiscated even when you had literally bought a car and you had your receipt/licence/insurance/ferry ticket/V5 with you.

Del2005

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Really?
I think they would find it difficult to take a car that I am insured to drive, in all fairness.

Once you own it 3rd party extension is gone, it's only for cars you don't own / lease. The UK, and most other countries, cops are much more strict at enforcing their laws. If you can't provide suitable paper work to prove that the car is insured they'll lift it and charge you for the pleasure.

No tax and valid insurance they'll lift and charge you for the pleasure again along with storage fees till you produce tax.

mikefrommeath

I was of the same opinion, but the police cars have technology to identify if the car is taxed or not by looking at the plates.

What do the 100s of Irish people who buy at uk auctions each month do?

mullingar wrote: »

Strictly according to the UK law it needs to be taxed.

But you would be the unluckiest person if you were pulled over by a policeperson who drew an instant dislike to you for what ever reason and got it confiscated even when you had literally bought a car and you had your receipt/licence/insurance/ferry ticket/V5 with you.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

corktina wrote: »

I thought that but it's called "Continuous Insurance". If the car is on the road there has to be an Insurance Policy specifically covering it. They will seize it for no insurance as it is in contravention of that Law. It doesn't matter that you have a policy with 3rd party extention, your car will be illegal if it does not have it's own policy.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/uninsured-vehicles

Thanks for the link,
genuinely did not know that.

Something to bear in mind when importing.

corktina

Isn't it just! I was a bit incredulous when I was told about it!. (as pointed out, third party cover no good either if you own the car,) Only solution is to take out a policy with the Reg on the documents....transferring Insurance wouldn't do either.

Kevhog1988

i live in the uk… two things

1.: anpr's are all over the country!! especially coming into ports etc so chances of getting a pull are high
2.: any car sold in auctions here are usually, fukced , clocked and ungenuine.

wesf

I have done this several times. Never stopped. As for all auctions cars being "fukced", that's a load of crap. Don't comment on what you obviously have no experience of.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

wesf wrote: »

I have done this several times. Never stopped. As for all auctions cars being "fukced", that's a load of crap. Don't comment on what you obviously have no experience of.

Yeah that line caused me to disregard that post tbh.
Obviously a google expert :P

wesf

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Yeah that line caused me to disregard that post tbh.
Obviously a google expert :P

Lots of those
Actually about that continuous insurance thing, how does a trade policy work? You are insured but the policy isn't for that car.
I've made that trip maybe 6 times in the last year, furthest spin being from London to Holyhead, not for myself, I do odd jobs for a dealer friend here, fly over and come back the same day.
Never been stopped and have been in traffic with cops in front and behind etc and never ran into a problem., not to say you may not be stopped, but as was mentioned above, you would want to be extremely unlucky to get the car taken from you once you have all paperwork, ferry ticket etc. I'm sure the UK cops have seen it all and would be fairly understanding providing you weren't being cheeky for being pulled in.

testicle

As a non-resident it's not possible to tax a UK registered car. Technically, you should tax it, but the police are not strict if you're on a road for the ferry home.

corktina

there's an exception for Motor Traders in the link

Kevhog1988

wesf wrote: »

I have done this several times. Never stopped. As for all auctions cars being "fukced", that's a load of crap. Don't comment on what you obviously have no experience of.

We buy plant from auctions all over the country, i used to dabble in cars but had consistent problems with ungenuine mileage, service history etc

corktina

testicle wrote: »

As a non-resident it's not possible to tax a UK registered car. Technically, you should tax it, but the police are not strict if you're on a road for the ferry home.

I wouldn't bank on this tbh.

wesf

corktina wrote: »

there's an exception for Motor Traders in the link

Didn't read it, makes sense though!

Cleveland Hot Pocket

corktina wrote: »

I wouldn't bank on this tbh.

It's probably like driving with no NCT here, most guards won't "do you" for it but some will.

corktina

UK traffic cops have no Fathers...FACT

What's more the fine could well just come in the post there....they don't need to stop you. No Insurance or SORN and the Registered Owner will get a fine the post. Not a concern to an Irish Resident perhaps (yet).

traco

Current owner / garage can usually tax if for 6 months in the post office, post the disc back and they can get some of it refunded.

Auctions - doubt they will be that helpfull

Bigus

theemigrant wrote: »

i live in the uk… two things

1.: anpr's are all over the country!! especially coming into ports etc so chances of getting a pull are high
2.: any car sold in auctions here are usually, fukced , clocked and ungenuine.

Complete bull on point 2, especially if you go to a one marque auction, cars supplied by distributor.

I took a chance bringing one from Nottingham all the way to Holyhead , but I had insurance cover,licence, invoice, and V5 to hand. No bother, wasn't stopped though except at exit customs to show them a freshly valeted empty boot.

Marcusm

There are now 8,000 ANPR cameras on the UK roads taking 26 million images per day. The over reliance on technology is likely to mean that there are few cars pulled over for not having tax; they will rely on sending out a fine to the registered keeper which will likely be a dead letter in this case.no insurance, no mot as well would presumably make it more likely but again, I think there is increasing reliance on capturing images of transgressors rather than stopping them.

djPSB

theemigrant wrote: »

i live in the uk… two things

1.: anpr's are all over the country!! especially coming into ports etc so chances of getting a pull are high
2.: any car sold in auctions here are usually, fukced , clocked and ungenuine.

What about the fleet cars from lease companies? I'd imagine they wouldn't go to the bother of clocking them.

Kevhog1988

djPSB wrote: »

What about the fleet cars from lease companies? I'd imagine they wouldn't go to the bother of clocking them.

Well ill put it to you this way, my 2012 a4 is currently at 78k miles... Id put money on it arriving in ireland as a low mileage car when lease is up

Dai John

Most auction houses have a delivery service.

Builderfromhell

I've bought tree vehicles in the UK. Flew over, paid fort hem and drove them back. I informed my insurance company thet I would be changing my insurance to the UK registered vehicle.
Never stopped for Tax eventhough sometimes driving to Holyhead at early hours of morning.

sawdoubters

it needs valid mot, insurance


it might have a tax disc on it

filbert the fox

corktina wrote: »

UK traffic cops have no Fathers...FACT

What's more the fine could well just come in the post there....they don't need to stop you. No Insurance or SORN and the Registered Owner will get a fine the post. Not a concern to an Irish Resident perhaps (yet).

Just because they're doin' their job. Don't know what you do but if you do it well you'd be upset to say the least that someone would call your parentage into disrepute. :mad:

corktina

Ask one and he'll tell you!

Thing is they do do their jobs, you won't get through one of their checkpoints if anything is not correct.

sawdoubters

You should contact your insurance company in the first instance as they may cover you temporarily whilst you bring the car over.


http://www.transfermate.com/en/uk_car_imports.html

commited

Interesting legislation coming into the UK which will make things difficult/risky for private exports from October 2014:

Motorists that sell cars privately will not be entitled to offer the “unexpired tax” incentive from October 2014, the Automobile Association has revealed. Sellers will have to claim vehicle excise duty refunds for any remaining months from the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Buyers will then have to pay road tax online, at post offices or via telephone before taking to the road.

http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/private-cars-cannot-be-sold-with-road-tax-from-october-2014_60347?utm_source=motoring.co.uk&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter&src=motoring

traco

commited wrote: »

Interesting legislation coming into the UK which will make things difficult/risky for private exports from October 2014:


http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/private-cars-cannot-be-sold-with-road-tax-from-october-2014_60347?utm_source=motoring.co.uk&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter&src=motoring

That looks like a handy system, tax it online for a month and away you go with no worries.

If they set it up in such a way that all thats required is the Reg, V5 details, chassis number then anybody could do it in 5 mins.

corktina

They wont do it online unless you have an Insurance Policy in the database. That's the whole point of all the changes there, everything will be in the computer system

Nor will they do it if it's not your in your name or has no MoT

commited

corktina wrote: »

They wont do it online unless you have an Insurance Policy in the database. That's the whole point of all the changes there, everything will be in the computer system

Nor will they do it if it's not your in your name or has no MoT

Exactly it's going to be a disaster for Irish people exporting cars.

corktina

It certainly will cause problems for us. It wasn't so long ago I'd happily drive home with nothing but insurance, no longer would I risk that. I don't fancy standing on the side of the road somewhere 100 miles from my booked and paid for ferry with no car

mikefrommeath

it will take to long and is to messy if I have to get the car taxed in which I buy from auction.

If I buy from a dealer, they can tax it for 6 months, which will cost about £80. Must dealers I have spoken to offer this service.


If you were going to chance it, it sound like you need to be very unlucky to be stopped.

corktina

you'll still have to get a policy for the car and get it on the database f you don't want hastle

mikefrommeath

update.

I bought the car from a garage. They insured me to get the car out of the country and I had the option of paying £77 for road tax. I didnt take it.
Drove the car to holy-head with no problems.

thanks for the advise all

corktina

you can get insurance in the UK dfor very short periods, 24 hours maybe. Probably that's what they did for you. I don't think a non-resident would be able to, worth remembering. You'd possibly be OK with no tax provided you had evidence of insurance and MoT and a very recent receipt. Glad it went well.

CiniO

mikefrommeath wrote: »

Thanks for the relpys,

I am not buying it of a dealer, I,m buying it from a auction. All I want to do is drive it 3 hours to the ferry in holly-head.
Would you chance it?
What would happen if I was stopped, fin etc?

I did this last year.
Bought car in London and drove it untaxed to Holyhead.
I didn't get pulled over. I passed 2 police cars on the way, which could have had ANPR.
I had my Irish insurance transferred to new car (on UK plates) and had email confirming this fact printed with me.
I was probably taking a risk, but tax would cost over £100 so it was worth it.

CiniO

corktina wrote: »

I wouldn't bank on this tbh.

Fact that non-UK resident is not able to tax the car is definitely right.

Xpro

theemigrant wrote: »

i live in the uk… two things

1.: anpr's are all over the country!! especially coming into ports etc so chances of getting a pull are high
2.: any car sold in auctions here are usually, fukced , clocked and ungenuine.

You might be living in the UK, but you definitely haven't got a clue about UK auctions.

I don't know what auctions are you buying from maybe Ebay??

Henry Ford III

mikefrommeath wrote: »

update.

I bought the car from a garage. They insured me to get the car out of the country and I had the option of paying £77 for road tax. I didnt take it.
Drove the car to holy-head with no problems.

thanks for the advise all

Well done.

Sure as eggs are eggs though someone else here will try the same, and for the sake of €77 get themselves into a whole heap of easily avoidable hastle.

I forsaw that in my tea leaves earlier.

corktina

CiniO wrote: »

I did this last year.
Bought car in London and drove it untaxed to Holyhead.
I didn't get pulled over. I passed 2 police cars on the way, which could have had ANPR.
I had my Irish insurance transferred to new car (on UK plates) and had email confirming this fact printed with me.
I was probably taking a risk, but tax would cost over £100 so it was worth it.

The Insurance thing won't work as it wont show on their database and they will seize any car without it's own policy as they have to have either a policy or be sorned. All transferring your policy will do is give you cover in the event of an issue, it will not satisfy their requirement for Continuous Insurance.

CiniO

corktina wrote: »

The Insurance thing won't work as it wont show on their database and they will seize any car without it's own policy as they have to have either a policy or be sorned.

But by transferring my Irish policy to UK registered car, then this policy covers that car. It becomes the own policy for that car.
Yes - it won't show on their database, but it doesn't change a fact that this cover is valid.

All transferring your policy will do is give you cover in the event of an issue, it will not satisfy their requirement for Continuous Insurance.

IMHO it should.