2016 UK import - step by step

theaaao

RobTheLad wrote: »

if you're thinking about doing it, get your account setup now with transfermate, as you need to give them a scan of your passport, proof of address etc, which could take a day or so for them to validate. I'm in same situation with 10k daily limit with permanent tsb, so have agreed with transfermate that i'll split the transfer, which they've no problem at all doing.

I opened a currencyfair account but I presume its same as transfer mate?

I put a deposit on a car this evening. Heading over next Monday to hopefully collect. Ive booked a nights accommodation in case the transfer doesn't go through in one day. (Bank holiday here but not in the UK so not sure if that will affect transfer times.)

Just rang PTSB customer service. You can transfer 5k online and 5k over the phone, limiting it to 10K in a day. Calling to the branch has no cap on transfer except for the incovenience of it.

theaaao

theaaao wrote: »

I opened a currencyfair account but I presume its same as transfer mate?

I put a deposit on a car this evening. Heading over next Monday to hopefully collect. Ive booked a nights accommodation in case the transfer doesn't go through in one day. (Bank holiday here but not in the UK so not sure if that will affect transfer times.)

Just rang PTSB customer service. You can transfer 5k online and 5k over the phone, limiting it to 10K in a day. Calling to the branch has no cap on transfer except for the incovenience of it.

To answer my own question above they both seem to be the same. Fee charges slightly differnet but will do nicely for my needs anyway. Heres a link to comparison breakdown.

Has anybody used currency fair? Any feedback on transfer times?

foxatron

A tad late saying it but fair play op posts like yours are informative and serve the wider boards community very well. It's one of the main reasons I follow boards.ie

theaaao

Bumski wrote: »

I recently purchased a car in the UK. There are a number of threads on this issue, including the bumper one, but given the recent Brexit and the sterling rate and their impact on the value formoney that can be got, I thought I’d put down a number of steps that I followed on the process.
I’m an average guy with no specialised knowledge about cars,mechanics or engines. Others, more expert, might not bother with the AA check I paid for, but it saved me time and I was able to fly to the UK and leave on the ferry with the car on the same day. I hope that this can be of use to someone

So the steps (with costs) were:



1 sourced the car model and spec on autotrader UK and/or motors.co.uk

2 Check the probable VRT cost online on the Revenue ROS VRT calculator

2A Check the UK MOT site for mileage at last MOT https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

3 Checked with my insurance company the impact of the proposed new car on my policy and premium

4 I booked a low fares airline morning midweek return flight to the UK for a date 2 weeks later for €30 (the return leg cost €10 included in the €30 – I bought the return leg in case of any unforeseen problem) I booked to Manchester for 10.30am

5 contact the garage and discuss price – noted to garage that I would be exporting the vehicle and so would not be test driving myself ahead of time (I did not want to buy from a private seller as I think it would be more difficult to arrange an engineer car check and meet up and payment safely)

6 Check how many keys are there for the car (is there a master key or code tag), whether there is a service history, are there any further documents (eg. Previous mot certs, garage receipts for work done). Is the user manual in the car.

7 Agreed a small deposit (£200) by phone and paid garage with visa

8 Organised a comprehensive car inspection using Dekra (£125) This inspection also includes a full HPI. Adverse findings are advised orally but the full results of the check are not included in the report

9 Opened an account with transfermate to minimize sterling conversion costs. This needs to be done maybe a week before the date you want to pay as there are some admin requirements including proof of identity and address. Emails of pdfs of utility bill, bank details and passport required)

10 Received car inspection report and phone the engineer to get his non written general opinion

11 A few minor niggles reported to the garage to be sorted before I collected the car

12 Obtain UK garage bank details and send to transfermate

13 Type up a letter seeking refund of UK road tax that most garages will get you to pay online before leaving

14 Organise transfer with transfermate. Allow 2 working days. Day one transfers from your Irish account to Transfermate. Day 2 – transfers to UK.

15 The day before flying – organise to transfer insurance to the new car (you need the make model and reg)

16 Book the ferry for the next day I booked the latest possible at 8pm – cost me €144

17 On arrival at the garage obtain all keys, the manual, an invoice and a complete V5C document (minus part 4 which is sent bythe garage to the DVLA in Swansea)

18 Pay the UK road tax (minimum 6 months) Maybe you can avoid this but it cost me €77 (but depends on the emissions of the car and the exchange rate) and UK car tax no longer transfers with change of ownership. UK cops have the right to impound an untaxed car (though any reasonable cop probably wouldn’t if it’s en route to the ferry for export)

19 Give the letter seeking refund to the garage to include with the V5C part 4 to send to the DVLA.

20 Drive to Holyhead smiling!

21 On arrival in Ireland book the VRT test at the NCTS. The cost of the inspection is covered in the VRT that you pay. No separate charge. This inspection does not test the car (it is not a standard NCTS test) and only verifies that the VRT amount is correct. The booking must be made within 7 days and all paperwork completed within 30 days or the import is subject to fines

22 Although not necessary, I kept a colour copy of the V5C and the other documents that I supplied to the NCTS, the documents required are detailed at: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/vrt-guide.html

· I provided: V5C (this is very important!)

· Dated Invoice for the car

· Recent Utility bill

· P60 (you can black out salary details)

· Recent Internet Bank statement (but subsequently stamped by my bank as revenue insist on one original document – myP60 and utility were also online generated printouts)

· VRT Vehicle Purchase Declaration Form VRTVPD2 http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/vrt-guide.html#section2e3

· Proof of date of entry (I used my ferry booking details)

· Declaration Form for the Registration of a newVehicle/ Motorcycle



23 Pay the VRT following the inspection. Max allowable on a debit card by banks is normally €1500 (your individual limit may differ - if you're planning to go this route check with your bank and the NCTS that it's ok). Credit cards can be used subject to a 1% additional fee (and subject to your individual credit limit). If necessary, NCTS advised me that you can mix payments from both cards to minimise the cc fee. You can also pay with a bank draft – my draft cost €2.40.

24 On receipt you will be given a new registration number by the NCTS

25 New plates can be made by many motor factors for about €20

26 Notify your insurance company of the new registration

27 Change any relevant details for etolls, M50 or any work related car information if applicable.

28 One day later your registration details will appear on the motor tax online website and the tax can be paid online using a pin number supplied by the NCTS

29 The tax disk arrived for me two working days later.

30 I am currently awaiting the new VLC which should arrive this week and will then book my required NCT.



I'm ever hopeful that I might get a five month rebate on the UK motor tax paid.....

Thanks for your step by step guide OP!

Just looked at the revenue link there and they are talking about needing a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to register. Can anybody explain what this is referring to? I hope to pick up car next Monday from dealer - is it something I need him to get organising quick or should he have it to hand?

'From 12 September 2016 a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) must be on the Revenue system before a new vehicle can be registered. When you are purchasing a new vehicle abroad you MUST get the CoC, either in paper or electronic form, from the seller. It is advisable that you check in advance that the seller has a CoC and the other mandatory documentation available. You will not be able to register your vehicle if you do not have the CoC or the other mandatory documentation.'

bazz26

I think the Certificate of Conformity only applies to brand new cars being registered here and not second hand ones imported from abroad.

theaaao

Right okay. I was reading that with thinking that the 'new' was referring to the step of registering a car in ireland for the first time even though it would be used.

thanks.

Denisoftus

bazz26 wrote: »

I think the Certificate of Conformity only applies to brand new cars being registered here and not second hand ones imported from abroad.

Your thinking correct, it only applies to new vehicles, never registered before anywhere. I have recently had my car inspected (After 12.09.16) and they didn't ask for COC.

Solberg2005

I note some people have managed to arrange with the dealer to pick them up from the airport and bring them to the dealers. Is this a thing that most delaers will accomodate?

An Ard Ri

I'm flying over tomorrow to pick up a car and the dealer is picking me up at Liverpool airport. They offered it when we did the deal.

Solberg2005 wrote: »

I note some people have managed to arrange with the dealer to pick them up from the airport and bring them to the dealers. Is this a thing that most delaers will accomodate?

Mc Love

When I went over - dealer was a good 30 min maybe in taxi. I asked could they pick me up but said there was nobody available

Denisoftus

Mc Love wrote: »

When I went over - dealer was a good 30 min maybe in taxi. I asked could they pick me up but said there was nobody available

Take Uber, cost me £90 for 2.5 hours ride.

walus

Denisoftus wrote: »

Take Uber, cost me £90 for 2.5 hours ride.

What's wrong with the rental?

Mc Love

Mc Love wrote: »

Wish i remembered what finance option I used?! But when I got there, i left the dealership not long after arriving. It must have been by Bank draft or something.

Just checked and I used a Stg draft - you may lose a bit of money with the exchange but it was the quickest way as I had to get ferry that evening.

Denisoftus

walus wrote: »

What's wrong with the rental?

You can't return the car in any location, you still need to drop the rental to the nearest office. Car sharing would be an option, as you can leave it on the street, but you need to check in advance.

theaaao

Denisoftus wrote: »

You can't return the car in any location, you still need to drop the rental to the nearest office. Car sharing would be an option, as you can leave it on the street, but you need to check in advance.

The train set up over there isn't bad provided it suits location wise.
I'm getting a train from Manchester airport to my destination 30 mins away. Will cost me £5 as I've booked in advance. Luckily the dealer is only 10 mins walk from the train station!

HeadWrecked93

As promised here is a link to photos of my new car (Can't post links so just remove spaces)

https:// drive.google .com/ folderview?id=0B7e1quvRmc2hZFdnUklocEtpWVk

Esel

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

As promised here is a link to photos of my new car (Can't post links so just remove spaces)

https:// drive.google .com/ folderview?id=0B7e1quvRmc2hZFdnUklocEtpWVk

Looks great!

https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/0B7e1quvRmc2hZFdnUklocEtpWVk

HeadWrecked93

Esel wrote:

Looks great!

Thanks I'm delighted with it. Sat in it for 10 hours travelling home and felt like an hour. So comfortable

theaaao

Bumski wrote: »

Yes

Garages seem to declare the car off the road (Statutory Off Road Declaration)which I think suspends the tax and then the new owner is legally required to pay the road tax. It doesn't transfer as it does in Ireland.

If the car shows up on the MOT website as having valid road tax does it mean that a SORD has not been carried out? IM buying from a main dealer and car looks to still have valid road tax on MOT website.

Also, the letter you mentioned leaving with the dealer to send to swansea with part 4 of the V5C - Did you just simply explain that you were exporting car and put your bank details on it so they could issue refund? Did you get one!?


BTW lads, do you need to fill out anything on the V5C form before you leave the dealers? Do they need to sign anything on it or should it all be filled out? Should I be checking for anything specifically?

theaaao

An Ard Ri wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I'm buying from a main dealer and they have informed me it must be taxed. Obviously I'm going to try and not pay it. I'm flying in first thing in the morning and home on the 14.10 ferry.

Good luck tomorrow...

Let me (and everyone else!) know how you got on with the road tax situation. I am also buying from a main dealer. I popped them a mail today to suss it out but heard nothing yet. Picking it up next Monday.

Marcusm

theaaao wrote: »

If the car shows up on the MOT website as having valid road tax does it mean that a SORD has not been carried out? IM buying from a main dealer and car looks to still have valid road tax on MOT website.

Also, the letter you mentioned leaving with the dealer to send to swansea with part 4 of the V5C - Did you just simply explain that you were exporting car and put your bank details on it so they could issue refund? Did you get one!?


BTW lads, do you need to fill out anything on the V5C form before you leave the dealers? Do they need to sign anything on it or should it all be filled out? Should I be checking for anything specifically?

UK motor tax was completely overhauled about 2 years ago when it went paperless. When DVLA is notified that the vehicle has been sold into the trade, the motor tax is automatically refunded. The dealer/trader does not need to SORN it and it does not have any motor tax on it.

walus

Denisoftus wrote: »

You can't return the car in any location, you still need to drop the rental to the nearest office. Car sharing would be an option, as you can leave it on the street, but you need to check in advance.

No, not necessarily. I rented a car from Enterprise and it was no problem to drop it in a different location. There is a fee for doing that but on such occasion it is well worth it.

Bumski

theaaao wrote: »

If the car shows up on the MOT website as having valid road tax does it mean that a SORD has not been carried out? IM buying from a main dealer and car looks to still have valid road tax on MOT website.

Also, the letter you mentioned leaving with the dealer to send to swansea with part 4 of the V5C - Did you just simply explain that you were exporting car and put your bank details on it so they could issue refund? Did you get one!?


BTW lads, do you need to fill out anything on the V5C form before you leave the dealers? Do they need to sign anything on it or should it all be filled out? Should I be checking for anything specifically?

I'm not sure of the details of how SORD works. Mine showed up on he MOT website as SORD before I bought it but maybe it depends on the amount of time the garage has the car.

The letter I wrote did explain that I was exporting the car and I provided my address but not my bank details. I never heard anything afterwards. It's been three months so I guess I won't hear anything now . Still, regardless of the €60 odd euro for 6 months tax, I'm still quids in to the tune of €3k or so I've no complaints !

My garage only detached the part of the form for export (V5C/4) and sent it to the DVLA and left me the rest for presenting at the NCT/VRT office. You might find this website useful http://car-from-uk.com/v5c.php

Mar4ix

Hi folks, quick question.

I have bought car in uk (20 th October), got it here, insured , got insurance disc on windscreen with cars uk number on it, booked VRT date (8th november), but before that i have to visit some family member near letterkenny, car had no roadax from july in uk. Is that risky drive through northern Ireland, or thats fine if i have all dockets with me ?

Thanks.

Denisoftus

Mar4ix wrote: »

Hi folks, quick question.

I have bought car in uk (20 th October), got it here, insured , got insurance disc on windscreen with cars uk number on it, booked VRT date (8th november), but before that i have to visit some family member near letterkenny, car had no roadax from july in uk. Is that risky drive through northern Ireland, or thats fine if i have all dockets with me ?

Thanks.

This was discussed here already, yes it is a risk, I took the risk driving back here, but I went straight from motor dealer to Pembrook docs, if I was stopped, l would tell the story that I just bought a car and on my way to leave UK, the outcome depends on cop's personality, but most likely they would let me go. But your case is different, so I'd say you need a tax, how would you explain it? They have cameras all over the place in UK so they can track the car, even parking in public place is a risk.

Denisoftus

walus wrote: »

No, not necessarily. I rented a car from Enterprise and it was no problem to drop it in a different location. There is a fee for doing that but on such occasion it is well worth it.

This entirely depends on garage location. The one I picked my car from, had no car hiring offices nearby, I investigated this option, and decided to take uber instead.

Mar4ix

Denisoftus wrote: »

This was discussed here already, yes it is a risk, I took the risk driving back here, but I went straight from motor dealer to Pembrook docs, if I was stopped, l would tell the story that I just bought a car and on my way to leave UK, the outcome depends on cop's personality, but most likely they would let me go. But your case is different, so I'd say you need a tax, how would you explain it? They have cameras all over the place in UK so they can track the car, even parking in public place is a risk.

I must be very lucky- driving car with no tax sice july from south side of London to holyhead over 300 miles, number stops at petrolstations for food , cofee and a bit of rest, also trafic cops car was behind me on motorway for around 2 min ( most longest minutes on my journey tho ) until i had a chance change line on motorway, they just passed me.
Dealer left with me most of log book, he took only small slip from second page (top one).

I have purchase agreement, and filled forms for VrT office , ROI insurance policy, - wouldnt that be enough to get away from them ?

Marcusm

Mar4ix wrote: »

I must be very lucky- driving car with no tax sice july from south side of London to holyhead over 300 miles, number stops at petrolstations for food , cofee and a bit of rest, also trafic cops car was behind me on motorway for around 2 min ( most longest minutes on my journey tho ) until i had a chance change line on motorway, they just passed me.
Dealer left with me most of log book, he took only small slip from second page (top one).

I have purchase agreement, and filled forms for VrT office , ROI insurance policy, - wouldnt that be enough to get away from them ?

Not really that lucky. ANPR will not prioritise absent motor tax. I would worry about your proposed trip across NI if the car has been removed from the DVLA database - ANPR would, I imagine, prioritise chasing a car which has been noted as exported and deregistered.

Mar4ix

Marcusm wrote: »

Not really that lucky. ANPR will not prioritise absent motor tax. I would worry about your proposed trip across NI if the car has been removed from the DVLA database - ANPR would, I imagine, prioritise chasing a car which has been noted as exported and deregistered.

Hmmm.... That makes sense.

Denisoftus

I was wondering what is the minimum amount of months you have to pay UK motor tax, and can it be paid to Parcel Motel address, it would be great to put two things together buying a car and doing a road trip to UK, for that I wouldn't risk driving with no tax, also would Irish insurance companies insure a car for a week or more in UK?