Bought an unregistered car in the UK, what now

ballooba

I bought a 2011 A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI off a main dealer in the Kent, UK. The car is an reputedly an ex demonstrator with one further owner who bought an traded in with the same garage.

Two questions:
- Would I be foolish to buy without an AA/RAC check?
- What are my options to get it over here? I'm thinking by truck is my only option. I have considered going via the channel tunnel / rosslare and taking a short holiday in France if this is an option.

colm_mcm

You need to consider insurance. Might be hassle driving a UK reg car in France on your irish policy.
I'm not sure what you mean by unregistered, but if it's not taxed then the AA/rac won't even test drive it for you. As a minimum you should be doing/have already done a full history check.

ballooba

It's showing up on the DVLA as MOTed and taxed, but the dealer says it is not taxed. The only explanation I can think of is that they did an SORN in the last 5 days. I do find this strange but it's not like they are trying to hide anything, it just seems like they are out of their comfort zone. Maybe they think I am dodgy and don't want me driving the car up to Holyhead on the previous owners registration getting speeding tickets etc.

testicle

ballooba wrote: »

It's showing up on the DVLA as MOTed and taxed, but the dealer says it is not taxed. The only explanation I can think of is that they did an SORN in the last 5 days. I do find this strange but it's not like they are trying to hide anything, it just seems like they are out of their comfort zone. Maybe they think I am dodgy and don't want me driving the car up to Holyhead on the previous owners registration getting speeding tickets etc.

The tax expires when you buy/sell a car in the UK these days.

colm_mcm

Have you done a history check?

YouTookMyName

The dealer saying its not taxed, because there's a new tax system in place where the new owner has to tax it before driving it.

Tax doesn't carry over anymore and discs have been abolished.

TheBigSmoke

Hi Ballooba

If the car is in the UK it is no longer taxed

They changed the law a few months back that when you sell a car with tax left over you get a refund

The New Owner needs to get the car taxed all over again.This also includes change of ownership within families. They have also got rid of Tax discs in the UK because they are expensive to print

CiniO

That's an interesting question OP asked.
I wonder how are people supposed to drive back home after buying in UK anymore after change of legislation.

When I was buying a car in UK 2 years ago, if you bought a car with tax, it would be valid until expiry so you could drive the car.
Car I was buying had no tax unfortunately, and there was no option to pay it (as to pay it you need to have UK insurance policy which obviously I didn't have and as non-uk resident couldn't purchase) I had to chance it and drive car without tax. Worked well for me, but might but might not work for someone else.
However at least there used to be an option to buy a car which is already taxed.

Now there isn't, so either chance it, or get it tower which might be expensive activity.

colm_mcm

You can tax a car in the post office, over the phone, or online. I'd imagine the dealer could do this for you.

CiniO

colm_mcm wrote: »

You can tax a car in the post office, over the phone, or online. I'd imagine the dealer could do this for you.

My understanding is that you need a valid UK insurance policy on that car to be able to tax it, whether it's over the phone, online or post office.
Also after legislation change, it's probably impossible to tax it by someone who is not UK resident.

Streak101

If you need to tax for transportation purposes, can you get 7 days or a month only?

zwind

if it's audi main dealer, you will have warranty in ireland as well.

one you have the insurance done, just drive it to holyhead, should be fine.

UK motorways are very busy, you seldom stopped by a police if it's a normal car. I just did that in Jan.

bazz26

My understanding was that UK dealers were not allowed to let the car leave their forecourt without them being taxed. Not saying the dealer has to tax it but it is required to be taxed by someone before it can be sold and driven off their premises. Might be worth asking the dealer to tax it on your behalf too.

Also the motorways have many ANPR cameras, not sure I'd take the chance of being detected and pulled for no tax if I was trying to make a ferry. Unlike here the UK police especially the Welsh ones, can be very strict on enforcing these laws.

ballooba

Audi do 7 day insurance on approved used but not sure if it costs extra, plus there would be the cost of the tax itself. I'd prefer to pick up the car myself for piece of mind, but it seems like it's not an option. Would it need to be registered to tax it? Extra owner on the log book?

ballooba

fleex wrote: »

if it's audi main dealer, you will have warranty in ireland as well.

Sure about this? I thought it's invalid as soon as the car is exported. BMW is a different case, same company UK and Ireland.

CiniO

bazz26 wrote: »

My understanding was that UK dealers were not allowed to let the car leave their forecourt without them being taxed.

2 years ago I bought one, and dealer just asked me to sign disclaimer, that I'm aware vehicle is not taxed, and it can not be legally driven on the road.

Not saying the dealer has to tax it but it is required to be taxed by someone before it can be sold and driven off their premises. Might be worth asking the dealer to tax it on your behalf too.

I don't think dealer can tax it if buyer is non-UK resident.
Only UK resident buyers can tax a car in UK.

Also the motorways have many ANPR cameras, not sure I'd take the chance of being detected and pulled for no tax if I was trying to make a ferry. Unlike here the UK police especially the Welsh ones, can be very strict on enforcing these laws.

But is there any other choice except from towing a car on a truck?

zwind

If it's SORN, it will be show as SORN. there's no reason that the dealer will SORN a car. they can drive their car on trade plate.

Yes, new Owner needs to get the car taxed, the dealer is probably just stating this fact. The thing is UK gov( and APNR camera) won't know you're the new owner before document reach DVLA.

so,IMHO, If it's show as tax, it's OK to drive.

BTW, you need to get the whole V5 from the dealer and let the dealer inform DVLA it's being export.

ballooba wrote: »

It's showing up on the DVLA as MOTed and taxed, but the dealer says it is not taxed. The only explanation I can think of is that they did an SORN in the last 5 days. I do find this strange but it's not like they are trying to hide anything, it just seems like they are out of their comfort zone. Maybe they think I am dodgy and don't want me driving the car up to Holyhead on the previous owners registration getting speeding tickets etc.

ballooba

Good point re the V5, and the fact that the ANPR will show the vehicle as taxed until the documents reach the DVLA.

I see that Audi stand over the mileage on Approved Used. From reading the warranty documentation, I get 60 days warranty only as Ireland counts as continental Europe. That's my reading anyway.

http://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/audi/production/PDF/UsedCars/Audi%20Approved%20Warranty.pdf

dingding

Taxed a car for 3 months and got two months refunded when I registered the car in Ireland. It depends on what value you put on peace of mind if you are stopped.

CiniO

dingding wrote: »

Taxed a car for 3 months and got two months refunded when I registered the car in Ireland. It depends on what value you put on peace of mind if you are stopped.

Can you tell us about technicalities of taxing it and obtaining refund as person non-resident in UK?

dingding

Its a few years ago now 2008. I asked the garage to organise the tax and I paid them for it. When I got back I applied to the UK tax authorities and I got a refund for hte unused months. As it is almost 7 years ago I can't remember the exact details.

thadg

I have brought a good few cars from the uk without tax, some garages will put up a slip on the windscreen to say you are leaving the uk. if you are pulled over the police are understanding when you tell them where you are going. I have never had an issue. make sure you have your insurance cert and boat details printed off and your half of the v5 document (tax book)

ballooba

dingding wrote: »

Taxed a car for 3 months and got two months refunded when I registered the car in Ireland. It depends on what value you put on peace of mind if you are stopped.

How did you tax it without registering? I would be happy to do that if I was getting a refund on the unused portion.

Dia1988

CiniO wrote: »

That's an interesting question OP asked.
I wonder how are people supposed to drive back home after buying in UK anymore after change of legislation.

When I was buying a car in UK 2 years ago, if you bought a car with tax, it would be valid until expiry so you could drive the car.
Car I was buying had no tax unfortunately, and there was no option to pay it (as to pay it you need to have UK insurance policy which obviously I didn't have and as non-uk resident couldn't purchase) I had to chance it and drive car without tax. Worked well for me, but might but might not work for someone else.
However at least there used to be an option to buy a car which is already taxed.

Now there isn't, so either chance it, or get it tower which might be expensive activity.

If you buy a UK car that is taxed and drive back, you should be okay as the anpr system will not be updated immediately.

Remember that the owner must send the forms off to the dvla prior to them getting reimbursed for the tax, which can take a few days.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

AntiVirus

ballooba wrote: »

Good point re the V5, and the fact that the ANPR will show the vehicle as taxed until the documents reach the DVLA.

I see that Audi stand over the mileage on Approved Used. From reading the warranty documentation, I get 60 days warranty only as Ireland counts as continental Europe. That's my reading anyway.

http://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/audi/production/PDF/UsedCars/Audi%20Approved%20Warranty.pdf

I actually bought a 2 year old A5 Sportback from an Audi dealer up North and you do get the 7 days insurance with the car. It was still on the main Audi warranty and I was told it was covered down here...

After owning the car for a couple of weeks there was a very strange feeling off the clutch, like walking on snow. So I thought I would be able to just drop it into the local Audi dealer here to check it out but thats not really the case.

What happens is you can bring it to your local Audi dealer, they will look at your car and fix it for you and you will have to pay them. If is it a warranty issue they will refund you all the costs.

In my case Audi in Portadown where very helpfull and collected my car and gave me a replacement A4. In the end they had to replace the engine and put a new engine in for me :-) All from a funny feeling from the clutch :-D

ballooba

Which engine was that AntiVirus? Your warranty is a little different to the used warranty I think. It's still on the new car warranty.

bazz26

I'd chance driving it to the boat without tax, no way I'd be adding expense by taxing it or paying to have to brought on a truck.

Id tell the dealer to keep the car if they wouldn't let me drive it away, such nonsense.

bazz26 wrote: »

Also the motorways have many ANPR cameras, not sure I'd take the chance of being detected and pulled for no tax if I was trying to make a ferry. Unlike here the UK police especially the Welsh ones, can be very strict on enforcing these laws.

I drove around London for 6 months without an MOT (I was coming back home so didn't want to spend the money and the car wouldn't have passed anyway), that included trips out to stansted and driving home to the ferry never once got flagged on an ANPR so I have a feeling their prominence is exaggerated.

fricatus

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

LOL, sorry to go off-topic, but if you zoom out, does it say "FOR REG"?

Back on topic... I drove my purchase home from the UK after signing a letter from the dealership stating that they were letting me drive away without tax because the car was being exported. This was 2009.

ballooba

I rang Car Giant and pretended to be interested in a car there to get the low down (slightly unethical I know). Once the car is insured on drive away insurance I can tax it, it electronically matches the tax to the insurance. No need to register with DVLA. Then cancel the tax once it is exported.

I have read stories on other forums about drivers being fined for having no tax. For the sake of a few quid I won't chance it.

My current thinking with regard to the mechanical inspection is that I will be doing a 5 hour drive up to Holyhead, if anything shows up on that I will just leave the car with the roadside recovery as included in my purchase. This is probably as good if not better than a 15 minute test drive by RAC/AA? Or am I naiive? It's over 1% of the value of the car for an independent inspection.

AntiVirus

ballooba wrote: »

Which engine was that AntiVirus? Your warranty is a little different to the used warranty I think. It's still on the new car warranty.

1.8 TFSI petrol engine and yes it's still on the main Audi warranty, great car

CiniO

ballooba wrote: »

I rang Car Giant and pretended to be interested in a car there to get the low down (slightly unethical I know). Once the car is insured on drive away insurance I can tax it, it electronically matches the tax to the insurance. No need to register with DVLA. Then cancel the tax once it is exported.

I think you got that wrong from them.
Indeed their drive away insurance which is for 7 days or something would let you purchase a tax, but unfortunately they can not issue this insurance to someone non-resident in UK. So this is no go.

fricatus

ballooba wrote: »

My current thinking with regard to the mechanical inspection is that I will be doing a 5 hour drive up to Holyhead, if anything shows up on that I will just leave the car with the roadside recovery as included in my purchase. This is probably as good if not better than a 15 minute test drive by RAC/AA? Or am I naiive?

The RAC and AA don't just take it out for a spin and then tell you "'tis grand" at the end of it though. They have rigorous inspection checklists, and they send you a detailed report. Here is the RAC one:

http://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspections/checklist

No doubt the AA one is equally as thorough.

If their checks find major faults, then you can just say "no thanks" to the garage. If you find yourself with a blown timing chain or head gasket on the side of the A55, then it's your problem, recovery service or no recovery service. You might be lucky and be covered by warranty, or then again you mightn't.

ballooba wrote: »

It's over 1% of the value of the car for an independent inspection.

Don't be penny wise and pound foolish! That sounds like a bargain to me.

AntiVirus

CiniO wrote: »

I think you got that wrong from them.
Indeed their drive away insurance which is for 7 days or something would let you purchase a tax, but unfortunately they can not issue this insurance to someone non-resident in UK. So this is no go.

Of course they can issue insurance to a non resident just like rental car companies can.

I had no problem with Audi up in North insuring me. Also when they took the back to fix it they gave me another loan Audi for 2 weeks which I was fully covered on.

CiniO

AntiVirus wrote: »

Of course they can issue insurance to a non resident just like rental car companies can.

I had no problem with Audi up in North insuring me. Also when they took the back to fix it they gave me another loan Audi for 2 weeks which I was fully covered on.

Well, in Cargiant 7 day insurance they offer was not available for non-resident.

AntiVirus

CiniO wrote: »

Well, in Cargiant 7 day insurance they offer was not available for non-resident.

Ahh I thought we were talking about Audi insurance.

I don't think the car giant insurance will matter as he has bought it from Audi. I think he was more interested in finding out about the tax.

Smithzer

I bought an A5 from a main dealer in UK in Jan, they invoiced me for the tax and I asked them to remove it from the bill which they did as it was being exported.
If your buying from a main dealer there is like a 150 point checklist every secondhand car has to go through they give you a copy of this when you purchase and the 12 month warranty is valid through the Audi network including Ireland dealers.
You can get if collected for around €450 to €500 but as Kent is further down you might have to pay a bit more then you have no tax issues. I have some contacts for the collection guys PM me if you need them but would recommend collecting it yourself as you see the car before you sign for it and you get to give it a good spin up to Holyhead.

ballooba

Current thinking is that it doesn't matter if the Audi insurance is valid, I will have my own insurance transferred too.

Marcusm

ballooba wrote: »

Current thinking is that it doesn't matter if the Audi insurance is valid, I will have my own insurance transferred too.

It's usual for the dealer to tax the car for you using the new keeper supplement part of the v5. Since the changeover to "paperless discs", Post Offices in England, Wales and Scotland are not required to check for an insurance very. The assumption for EWS is that ANPR will do the job - not for NI though. The dealer may want to be happy that you have valid insurance and the transfer of the Irish policy should be sufficient.

I wouldn't bother pushing the 7 day insurance point as it generally (experience of 4 cars, different dealers and insurers) involves a rigid online application which you would likely have to spoof which in itself is likely a more serious offence than driving with no tax.