Registering a non running trailered classic from UK

freddyuk · 01-10-2025 10:36AM #1

When I brought (shipped) over my running Daimler from UK I drove it over to the local VRT centre and paid the due tax to have it registered. All very simple. Prior to this I did a lot of research and understood if the car was not "driveable" you could not get it registered in the State. ie. they would not accept a car on a trailer for VRT/Registration. Is this still the case?

kdevitt · 02-10-2025 09:23AM

Yes - car needs to be driveable to meet the definition of being a mechanically propelled vehicle. Theres no issue taking your time to get the car running and then having it VRT'd - there'll be no late fees. If the car is trailered in they'll generally ask you to start it up. You do need to ensure VAT is paid on import though.

mustang68 · 03-10-2025 09:43AM

Yeah - it has to be "capable of mechanical propulsion", technically all they need to do in the NCT centre on behalf of revenue is be satisfied with the various numbers, check it's as described and verify that it's capable of mechanical propulsion, if you're lucky it may not even have to leave the trailer… I was not lucky:

I had a total nightmare with the person making up more and more rules as we went along "has to drive X amount", "it needs to drive Y amount", "it must drive on the road", "it needs to have reverse", "show me all the lights working", "it's not roadworthy" - no matter how many times I showed them the legislation or their colleagues told them it's not a car test. Eventually I had to ring revenue (who were lovely and reasonable) after the appointment, because the tester had put "drove in but didn't drive out" (???) - revenue got it sorted immediately. I still have nightmares!

Registering a non running trailered classic from UK

Comments