UK car auctions and tax

mikefrommeath · 27-01-2014 04:11PM #1

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 · 27-01-2014 04:23PM

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 · 27-01-2014 04:31PM

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

Henry Ford III · 27-01-2014 04:54PM

bazz26 wrote: »

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

Not sure it matters as a seller always can.

bazz26 · 27-01-2014 04:58PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:11PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:16PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:19PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:24PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:30PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:31PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:35PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:36PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:40PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:42PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:45PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:47PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:55PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:58PM

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 · 27-01-2014 05:59PM

there's an exception for Motor Traders in the link

Kevhog1988 · 27-01-2014 06:00PM

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 · 27-01-2014 06:00PM

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 · 27-01-2014 06:01PM

corktina wrote: »

there's an exception for Motor Traders in the link

Didn't read it, makes sense though!

Cleveland Hot Pocket · 27-01-2014 06:02PM

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 · 27-01-2014 06:06PM

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 · 27-01-2014 06:43PM

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 · 27-01-2014 08:48PM

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 · 27-01-2014 09:04PM

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 · 27-01-2014 10:17PM

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 · 27-01-2014 10:21PM

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 · 27-01-2014 10:24PM

Most auction houses have a delivery service.

UK car auctions and tax

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