Importing a classic car from UK

PauloMN

The wheels are in motion (so to speak!) for my first venture into classic car ownership, and I've a trip planned to the UK to pick up a car I've been researching for a bit. Hopefully the wheels are still in motion when I'm driving home up the M6.

Plan is to buy and bring home on the same day, all going well. Have el cheapo return Ryanair flight booked in the event that I'm disappointed.

While I've brought a car in from the UK before (NI specifically), it was a few years ago and would appreciate any advise as to anything I've left out or otherwise.

So I'm flying early, will be picked up from airport and will check out the car thoroughly. I'll have a sterling draft, and insurance cover (yet to be arranged) for the car on its UK plates (presume there's no issue with that)? I've asked the seller to check the tax status for me - the car has MOT until April '18, but is SORN from what I can see, so I'm wondering can a temporary tax disc be purchased for it? What do people normally do here? I've be driving a couple of hundred miles on motorway to ferry port, so don't really want to take chances.

Assuming all is good and I take the car, I'll get full V5 and receipt - anything else I need from seller for importation? I read that I need proof of importation into Ireland (like a ferry ticket or something) - that won't be an issue.

Once in Ireland, I'll book a VRT inspection, does the NCT happen at the same time, or is that a separate appointment? Not sure what the VRT inspection waiting list is like these days, I presume a booking confirmation is enough to keep the guards happy and not give grief over yellow plates? And can insurance cover be extended beyond a month if still on yellow plates after that?

Sorry for the long post, any advice appreciated.

kyote00

- On the V5, its worth letting the seller know before hand that most of the V5 comes with you (and the bottom bit goes to the DVLA). This is not the same as when the change is sold within the UK....so sometimes they freak out

Enjoy the trip - usually great crack

ht9zni1gs28crp

The Tax issue is relevant on all purchases, as soon as the car is sold the road tax lapses. I get the feeling the UK police will turn the other way once they see the Ferry receipt IF your stopped.

Otherwise its a case of registering the car in the UK in your name and then taxing it for 3 months min etc.

Only other way of doing it is to ask the seller to throw three months tax on it for you. Not a problem once it has a relevant MOT and undeclared SORN. Offer to pay this for them as part of a deposit, out of courtesy especially if there is a chance you may walk away from the purchase.

PauloMN

Is 3 months the min tax available in the UK? I heard people talking about being able to get a month's tax to cover getting the car home, but that could have just been rumour.

ht9zni1gs28crp

PauloMN wrote: »

Is 3 months the min tax available in the UK? I heard people talking about being able to get a month's tax to cover getting the car home, but that could have just been rumour.

Possibly, you would need a bank account and a DD setup. I think what they mean is you pay by DD monthly for your tax and cancel as soon as you hit Irish soil, there fore you have just paid one months tax max.

I wouldnt stress too much. See if the seller can tax it for a few months or as described above. Just to get you to the port through the ANPR cameras.

Though I have yet to hear anyone getting done for car tax avoidance in this situation through ANPR. By the time Revenue gets to chase it the V5c has long since been returned as exported.

PauloMN

Thanks, rang seller (it's on trade plates so not taxed) and also DVLA. Lady I spoke to in DVLA was saying I can tax the car with the number off the V5C/2 form (change of ownership) online and pay a monthly direct debit - that way the car is immediately taxed. I asked her if I can just then cancel the DD, and she said "well that's not recommended", but effectively she was saying "yes that's the only way you can tax it". So I will tax it when I purchase the car over there.

Sterling draft, driver's license and get insurance sorted so, and that's me done until I get home I think.

ccmp

Good luck with your trip

w124man

All I ever do is make sure the car is insured. I never bother with MOT or Tax

john hanrahan

i had difficulty setting up a dd with an irish bank account for the car tax, i ended up paying 3 months as there are cameras everywhere, i think you can claim back unused months?? i forget.

i had experience of buying a car in central london a few years before and i was chased for 2 years for the payment of the congestion charge and penalties, i was just picking it up and leaving.

so i was extra cautious and paid the tax, enjoy it anyway its a bit of fun

Silvera

I brought in a classic from the UK last year. Myself and a mate took an early flight over picked up the car and headed off on a road trip - we visited Haynes Motor Museum near Yeovil - before catching the ferry home the next day.

As regards the road tax, I had similar concerns. The seller stated that the car was taxed and by the time the change of ownership was received by the DVLA I would be long home. My classic was MoT'd so that wasnt a concern in my case.

Incidentially I wouldnt advise anybody to drive on UK roads without having a current MoT in place - the UK police take a dim view of this. For example, technically, a car (without an MoT) in the UK cannot even be transported on public roads by lifting the front wheels with a tow truck as the rear wheels are still in contact with the road. So driving without an MoT is a big no no.

I would also highlight the importance of typing up a detailed receipt (two copies actually - one for you and one for the seller). I did so on an A4 page and had my mate witness our signatures. This receiept is needed when VRT'ing the car - and will also be part of the cars history going forward. In my case, I was stopped by a UK Border Force officer at the ferry port and they asked to see proof of ownership - so the reciept came in very handy!

This pre-printed Cartell receipt is ideal if you dont want to type up one of your own -
https://www.cartell.ie/car_check/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Buyers-Check-List.pdf

They also have good general car-buying advise on this page -
https://www.cartell.ie/how-it-works/advice-for-buying-a-car/

Also be careful that the car is up to driving safely on the road - especially the hours and hours which can be spent on UK motorways.

I presume that you realise that the seller must be a motor trader if he is current driving it on trade plates? Nothing wrong with that once he wasnt pretending to be a 'private' seller for one reason or another. The normal advise about meeting the seller at his home or business address applies...plus seeing proof of his id if possible. There are lots of stolen classics in the UK - a recent copy of Classic Car Weekly paper had a feature on this topic. Buyer beware always applies.

Having said all that I hope the car works out well for you and you enjoy the road trip / experience!

PauloMN

Good advice all, thanks. I've been in contact with the seller (he's a trader and enthusiast who specialises in these cars) a couple of times on long phone calls, he's sent me tons of photos/video covering the whole car. I've also done a lot of research on the car via an owner's group on Facebook, tracking back the history through previous owners and all checks out. The car has an MOT until April '18, and the mileage checks out (checked on the free MOT checker online - great yolk).

There's tons of documentation with it, all MOTs, all receipts, original manuals etc.. It's not perfect but it's a very good example from what I can see, so I'll take it for a good test run when I get over and give it a thorough once over. Fingers crossed it all checks out. I've been looking for months for something similar and nothing suitable - either show cars that were twice my budget, or cars at the other end that needed way too much work.

Have wanted a classic since I was a young lad, and finally am at a point where I can afford one, so quite excited about the whole trip.

Thanks for the links Silvera, useful to have.

liam7831

PauloMN wrote: »

Good advice all, thanks. I've been in contact with the seller (he's a trader and enthusiast who specialises in these cars) a couple of times on long phone calls, he's sent me tons of photos/video covering the whole car. I've also done a lot of research on the car via an owner's group on Facebook, tracking back the history through previous owners and all checks out. The car has an MOT until April '18, and the mileage checks out (checked on the free MOT checker online - great yolk).

There's tons of documentation with it, all MOTs, all receipts, original manuals etc.. It's not perfect but it's a very good example from what I can see, so I'll take it for a good test run when I get over and give it a thorough once over. Fingers crossed it all checks out. I've been looking for months for something similar and nothing suitable - either show cars that were twice my budget, or cars at the other end that needed way too much work.

Have wanted a classic since I was a young lad, and finally am at a point where I can afford one, so quite excited about the whole trip.

Thanks for the links Silvera, useful to have.

Most main dealers wont sell a car without taxing it.

What type of car is it or?

Dades

I want to know what car it is! Want to pop a picture up?

I drove my car home from Gloucester same day some years back. Made sure it was insured and MOT'd but never bothered about tax. It was sorned, afair. Snapped an alternator belt after about 5 miles out, but managed to find a replacement and then hit a ton on the motorway to Hollyhead!

Have a great trip. Post some pics here after; road trips are worth chronicling.

PauloMN

It's a BMW e28, 1987. 525e just the model I'm after (auto). Right colour and wheels also, and a very original car by all accounts.

PauloMN

liam7831 wrote: »

Most main dealers wont sell a car without taxing it.

What type of car is it or?

He's an independent specialist rather than a main dealer. My understanding is that the UK tax system has changed in that the tax can't pass from person to person when the car is sold unlike here. The new owner has to tax it.

ht9zni1gs28crp

PauloMN wrote: »

It's a BMW e28, 1987. 525e just the model I'm after (auto). Right colour and wheels also, and a very original car by all accounts.

Another E28 in Meath :cool::cool:

PauloMN

James Kind Marmot wrote: »

Another E28 in Meath :cool::cool:

Yup, 87 MH whatever.... no idea what they are up to now with imports.

You driving an E28 also?

ht9zni1gs28crp

PauloMN wrote: »

Yup, 87 MH whatever.... no idea what they are up to now with imports.

You driving an E28 also?

Yep, see you on the road so!

Silvera

PauloMN wrote: »

Yup, 87 MH whatever.... no idea what they are up to now with imports.

You driving an E28 also?

Meath import plates are in the '87 MH 15001' - range.

Best of luck with the road trip / car. Would be nice to see some pics whenever you have her home

ht9zni1gs28crp

Silvera wrote: »

Meath import plates are in the '87 MH 15001' - range.

Best of luck with the road trip / car. Would be nice to see some pics whenever you have her home

Yep, i got 15015

Agricola

Nothing like a road trip in a new classic you're bringing home. Will the car live up to the ebay ad? Will you make it back to the ferry sailing on time? Will you end up on the side of the motorway, crying through a cloud of smoke? What an adventure!

dar_cool

I was stopped by police in north wales bringing in an e30 bmw few years back. It had no tax on it and the police man said as it was going for permenant export it didnt need to be taxed. He rang quinn direct to make sure it was insured and sent me on my way.

PauloMN

Agricola wrote: »

Nothing like a road trip in a new classic you're bringing home. Will the car live up to the ebay ad? Will you make it back to the ferry sailing on time? Will you end up on the side of the motorway, crying through a cloud of smoke? What an adventure!

Yep, all of the above!!!! Bag of nerves about it to be honest. I've researched the hell out of it though, it's got bags of history and plenty of recent work which at least gives me some confidence as to its ability to get me home.

Flights and ferry booked, insurance sorted, sterling draft in hand. I've had tons of photos and videos sent to me and the guy selling has been at pains to show me the bad as well as the good. Looks good in the photos and videos, but I've been left disappointed by a couple I've seen here in Ireland, so we'll see.... Have a return flight booked as backup if the worst happens (it was only like €15), but I really don't want to be flying back.

Heading over on Tuesday - wish me luck!

davycc

PauloMN wrote: »

Yep, all of the above!!!! Bag of nerves about it to be honest. I've researched the hell out of it though, it's got bags of history and plenty of recent work which at least gives me some confidence as to its ability to get me home.

Flights and ferry booked, insurance sorted, sterling draft in hand. I've had tons of photos and videos sent to me and the guy selling has been at pains to show me the bad as well as the good. Looks good in the photos and videos, but I've been left disappointed by a couple I've seen here in Ireland, so we'll see.... Have a return flight booked as backup if the worst happens (it was only like €15), but I really don't want to be flying back.

Heading over on Tuesday - wish me luck!

Hope it goes well for you Paulo! ,you have nothing to be worried about ,
I'm currently using a e34 touring as a.daily driver with zero issues thankfully.

Look forward to seeing pics of yours back on your driveway soon

There used to be a silver e28 in ashbourne, a silver 535I on UK plates if my memory serves me right.

And getting back to the op I went to the UK to collect cars with my friends that they won on eBay etc mostly lovely old vws I just made I had insurance and cars had mot and we thankfully were never stopped by the police heading back to catch the return ferrys back to Dublin.

Agricola

PauloMN wrote: »

Yep, all of the above!!!! Bag of nerves about it to be honest. I've researched the hell out of it though, it's got bags of history and plenty of recent work which at least gives me some confidence as to its ability to get me home.

Flights and ferry booked, insurance sorted, sterling draft in hand. I've had tons of photos and videos sent to me and the guy selling has been at pains to show me the bad as well as the good. Looks good in the photos and videos, but I've been left disappointed by a couple I've seen here in Ireland, so we'll see.... Have a return flight booked as backup if the worst happens (it was only like €15), but I really don't want to be flying back.

Heading over on Tuesday - wish me luck!

I remember being in the queue to get on the Pembroke ferry and 2 police were just standing around watching all the modern cars embark. I roll up in 1979 924 looking worse for wear, (the car, not me ) with no valid tax disk on the window because the owner kept it so he could return it for a refund.
They told me to pull over, asked me a load of questions, looked at whatever paperwork I had, and told me best of luck with it in Ireland!
I was expected hassle but I honestly think once they know it's bound for a ferry out of the country, they care little.
It did have a new MOT though, which I wouldn't chance driving without over there.

Sounds like you are set to buy a very nice car though. At that end of the market, and dealing with a passionate enthusiast, theres alot less chance of buying a lemon.

Good luck!

w124man

The only time I had an issue with a car was with a 1990 230TE which broke down on the ramp getting onto the boat!


Best run I ever had was bringing a VW T3 back from the SW of Germany on the Austrian border beside Salzburg. No Sat Nav and it snowed for most of the trip ..... brilliant adventure!

Kenny Logins

PauloMN wrote: »

It's a BMW e28, 1987. 525e just the model I'm after (auto). Right colour and wheels also, and a very original car by all accounts.

Nice one. I picked up an E24 in Sheffield about 5 years ago and had a blast driving back over the mountains on "Snake Road" into Manchester and on to Holyhead. Broke down in Wales, but smacking a fuel pump relay got me going again.

PauloMN

Well I made it to Dublin port. Eventful day, awful weather and traffic but the main thing is the car was great and am just arriving on the ferry into Dublin. Can relax a bit more now. Less than an hour home and no deadlines to meet. Made ferry check-in by 5 mins in Holyhead! Didn't even get chance to take pics, Will do so tomorrow. Knackered now, was up at 4am and a lot of driving. Great to have her home though, my first classic!

Dades

Congrats! Look forward to the pics.

PauloMN

Couple of photos from last night:

ccmp

she looks really nice. Well wear

w124man

PauloMN wrote: »

Well I made it to Dublin port. Eventful day, awful weather and traffic but the main thing is the car was great and am just arriving on the ferry into Dublin. Can relax a bit more now. Less than an hour home and no deadlines to meet. Made ferry check-in by 5 mins in Holyhead! Didn't even get chance to take pics, Will do so tomorrow. Knackered now, was up at 4am and a lot of driving. Great to have her home though, my first classic!

Like I said, brilliant adventure! So when are you doing it again ??



I've done four European runs and seven UK runs and I never tire of them!

ht9zni1gs28crp

Looks tidy! Have you had the Reg valued in the UK at all? May be worth a weeks process to sell it on?

Dades

Look fantastic. Love the colour.

davycc

Looks class Paulo ! Told you it would be a fun trip

PauloMN

Thanks all. Am delighted with it, it's not perfect but it's a very good, genuine example and with a little time and effort could be great. Will probably have it at the Trim show on Sunday so if anyone is there pop over and say hi.

clonagam

I have a new unused middle silencer box that I believe fits your car. Any interest?

davycc

PauloMN wrote: »

Couple of photos from last night:

Looks class Paulo you lucky man, I'm in 2mind's about trim I miss just stay home and watch the Dublin.kildare final instead

ht9zni1gs28crp

I might make it to Trim, unsure just yet. If i do ill bring my E28 and ill keep an eye out for you.

noelf

Thanks for letting me sit in your lovely car today PauloMN .. All the best with it ..

PauloMN

noelf wrote: »

Thanks for letting me sit in your lovely car today PauloMN .. All the best with it ..

Nice to chat to you Noel! Good day for it, had a wander about after chatting to you and saw some beautiful cars. Never get bored looking at old cars!!

kcopsspock

Silvera wrote: »

I brought in a classic from the UK last year. Myself and a mate took an early flight over picked up the car and headed off on a road trip - we visited Haynes Motor Museum near Yeovil - before catching the ferry home the next day.

As regards the road tax, I had similar concerns. The seller stated that the car was taxed and by the time the change of ownership was received by the DVLA I would be long home. My classic was MoT'd so that wasnt a concern in my case.

Incidentially I wouldnt advise anybody to drive on UK roads without having a current MoT in place - the UK police take a dim view of this. For example, technically, a car (without an MoT) in the UK cannot even be transported on public roads by lifting the front wheels with a tow truck as the rear wheels are still in contact with the road. So driving without an MoT is a big no no.

I would also highlight the importance of typing up a detailed receipt (two copies actually - one for you and one for the seller). I did so on an A4 page and had my mate witness our signatures. This receiept is needed when VRT'ing the car - and will also be part of the cars history going forward. In my case, I was stopped by a UK Border Force officer at the ferry port and they asked to see proof of ownership - so the reciept came in very handy!

This pre-printed Cartell receipt is ideal if you dont want to type up one of your own -


They also have good general car-buying advise on this page -


Also be careful that the car is up to driving safely on the road - especially the hours and hours which can be spent on UK motorways.

I presume that you realise that the seller must be a motor trader if he is current driving it on trade plates? Nothing wrong with that once he wasnt pretending to be a 'private' seller for one reason or another. The normal advise about meeting the seller at his home or business address applies...plus seeing proof of his id if possible. There are lots of stolen classics in the UK - a recent copy of Classic Car Weekly paper had a feature on this topic. Buyer beware always applies.

Having said all that I hope the car works out well for you and you enjoy the road trip / experience!

The cartel invoice above is a great find for me, over the years i couldn't count all the paper/pen ones i've done, all private sales but its something i like to do, one for seller, one for buyer, i even state the time of day, thanks

unkel

PauloMN wrote: »

Great to have her home though, my first classic!

Looks fantastic, love the colour and the wheels! The 525e had some sort of overdrive in the autobox didn't it, for fuel economy? I knew all the details at the time from reading car mags, but I've long since forgotten

I thought you had a W123 at some stage, or am I mixing you up with someone else from the motornet days?