Importing from the UK - definitive guide (Q&A)

Dr Nic · 20-08-2010 6:11pm

Tragedy wrote: »

#2 As you're exporting the car, you don't complete the V5. You take the whole document with you as the VRO require it to register the car.

#6 You won't get money off for not taking road tax, and don't prick around with English police.

I might sound stupid here, but whats a V5? What does one need off the seller to get it all kosher here?

Re - Tax - What about if there's no tax on the car? Could i chance it for 4 hours trip to the ferry?

olewy · 20-08-2010 6:27pm

Tragedy wrote: »

#1 Why do you need to test drive the car before having an RAC/AA check?

Arseways may be but I don't see the purpose in spending £150 to £200GBP on a car I haven't even seen yet. For all I know I pay for the inspection, the RAC guys turn up to inspect it and find the car doesn't even exist or isn't for sale. At least if I go over first I can check it out. If the test drive doesn't show any obvious faults I've no problem spending the money on an RAC/AA check. If I didn't do the check first without viewing it and something obvious shows up in the check that could have been spotted with a simple quick test drive and going over I'd have wasted £175GBP of my own money. Do car checks for more than 1 car and it soon adds up. Ryanair flights are cheap.

Tragedy wrote: »

#2 As you're exporting the car, you don't complete the V5. You take the whole document with you as the VRO require it to register the car.

Thanks. Obviously as you say you've done this before so I'm not doubting you but just to clarify; if that's the case couldn't anyone just take another person's car and V5 and register it abroad under their own name? Surely there's a documented transfer of ownership somewhere. i.e. a paper trail to show that the seller wittingly signed over ownership at the point of sale? At least with this the buyer (me) could report the seller to the UK police if the car ends up being a stolen car or whatever.

Tragedy wrote: »

#3 After HPI check, RAC check, agreeing and arranging a price/time/date to meet, have a quick test drive and buy the car - you start getting insurance quotes for the car, find the one you're happy with - ring them, tell them you're looking to get insurance on a car you're buying in England, would they be happy covering you immediately if you ring up from England after having just bought the car.

A technicality and I know what you're saying but I'm getting insurance quotes first before doing anything. I need to know how much it will cost me to run the car. I'd recommend anyone else reading this to do the same. Insurance premiums have gone up recently so a quote you got in the past may no longer be possible to get now (as I've found and as is the nature of insurance).

Tragedy wrote: »

#4 If you're coming from Ireland to view the car, the seller shouldn't be looking for a deposit, if he is - find another seller.

Difficult to find another seller at this price and spec.
With a deposit I have a better chance of securing the car.
It will also compensate the seller for the cost of having to re-advertise the car later if the deal falls through because I don't decide to go through with it.

Tragedy wrote: »

#5 Never buy a car with outstanding finance. If it comes up as having finance, and the seller tells you he's just paid it off - ring up the finance company and confirm this with them.

Agree. This was on the line of what I was considering.

Tragedy wrote: »

#6 You won't get money off for not taking road tax, and don't prick around with English police.

Why is this? Any outstanding road tax left would have no value for me but would for the seller if he transferred it to his next car. E.g. 6 months road tax left = 1/2 a year's road tax saving for him. I know road tax in the UK is cheaper than Ireland but still.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the response, but I still would like to do it thoroughly/properly, even if it does cause a little more leg-work (which I don't mind if it saves me money etc).

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 8:22pm

Dr Nic wrote: »

What about paying for the car Guys?
Im paying a deposit by Paypal this evening of 10%.
Could i not pay the full whack by paypal?
Would it cost much more than going to the bank to be robbed in forex?

btw - the seller is very trustworthy. He's on a fansite for the marque for years, and 100's vouch for him. This is an option i would highly recommend for us Irish. Pretty much guaranteed an immaculate motor

The reason people don't use paypal is simply because
1) Their forex rates are horrific
2) They charge either the person sending, or the person receiving fees - which can amount to a lot.

#2 means most people won't take paypal!

Dr Nic wrote: »

I might sound stupid here, but whats a V5? What does one need off the seller to get it all kosher here?

Re - Tax - What about if there's no tax on the car? Could i chance it for 4 hours trip to the ferry?

V5 is their version of our Vehicle Licensing Certificate(VLC). You can chance no tax, and you should be ok - but the welsh traffic police are known to be extremely strict, and if they stop you with no tax - they won't care if you're exporting.
It's not like over here where you have to be stopped for them to realise you have no tax, every traffic police car has ANPR in the UK and if they spot a car with no tax they will pull you over.

olewy wrote: »

Arseways may be but I don't see the purpose in spending £150 to £200GBP on a car I haven't even seen yet.

You're spending that already on the flights.

For all I know I pay for the inspection, the RAC guys turn up to inspect it and find the car doesn't even exist or isn't for sale.

Which can happen if you're spending £150-£200 on flights. Or £100 on trains or whatever.

At least if I go over first I can check it out. If the test drive doesn't show any obvious faults I've no problem spending the money on an RAC/AA check.

If you've done your homework, and the seller has taken good pictures, all a test drive will show up is if it has any blindingly obvious technical faults. Both times I've bought cars in the UK, I asked them over the phone to list all the faults(big and small) with the car before I came over and also had high-res pics of every angle of the car, interior and engine bay.
Both sellers were 100% honest because they could tell I was genuinely interested in buying.

If I didn't do the check first without viewing it and something obvious shows up in the check that could have been spotted with a simple quick test drive and going over I'd have wasted £175GBP of my own money. Do car checks for more than 1 car and it soon adds up. Ryanair flights are cheap.

The blindingly obvious things a normal person would pick up are unlikely to be the things that cost you long term, it's stuff that only a mechanic would pick up that will.

Ryanair flights aren't that cheap, and I don't know about you - but my time isn't free and taking two days off to a view a car costs me money.

Thanks. Obviously as you say you've done this before so I'm not doubting you but just to clarify; if that's the case couldn't anyone just take another person's car and V5 and register it abroad under their own name? transfer of ownership somewhere. i.e. a paper trail to show that the seller wittingly signed over ownership at the point of sale? At least with this the buyer (me) could report the seller to the UK police if the car ends up being a stolen car or whatever.

Here's how it's meant to work(according to the DVLA in Swansea, and the VRO in Dublin).
1) Seller writes you a receipt.
2) Seller hands over full V5 to you, along with receipt
3) You bring the car to your local VRO, along with receipt and V5 within 24 hours of arrival within the country
4) VRO take the original V5 and send it to the DVLA in swansea who mark the registration/chassis number as being Permanently Exported.
5) VRO issues you with irish VLC by post.

A technicality and I know what you're saying but I'm getting insurance quotes first before doing anything. I need to know how much it will cost me to run the car. I'd recommend anyone else reading this to do the same. Insurance premiums have gone up recently so a quote you got in the past may no longer be possible to get now (as I've found and as is the nature of insurance).

Re-read, I said get insurance quotes now, find the one you're happy with, ring them up now, and ask if they'll cover you on an english car in england if you decide to buy it and import it into Ireland.
I was insured on an irish car both times I went over, but as the english car was owned by me, I had to transfer insurance to the new car both times to bring it back via Holyhead.

Difficult to find another seller at this price and spec.
With a deposit I have a better chance of securing the car.
It will also compensate the seller for the cost of having to re-advertise the car later if the deal falls through because I don't decide to go through with it.

If you need a deposit to view the car, it isn't the car for you. I don't know of anyone who's imported a car from England(whether from private seller or dealer) who's paid a deposit, and the only way I would pay a deposit is via paypal.

Why is this? Any outstanding road tax left would have no value for me but would for the seller if he transferred it to his next car. E.g. 6 months road tax left = 1/2 a year's road tax saving for him. I know road tax in the UK is cheaper than Ireland but still.

You can't transfer car tax, you can only apply for a refund, and you get however many months left minus one.
In the unlikely event the car has 11 months tax on it, you might get a bit off - but usually they'll only have 1-6 and that wont add up to much.

I still think it's madness that you want to personally view a car in England before getting an AA inspection, but it's your money to burn.

Dr Nic · 20-08-2010 8:31pm

Tragedy wrote: »

V5 is their version of our Vehicle Licensing Certificate(VLC). You can chance no tax, and you should be ok - but the welsh traffic police are known to be extremely strict, and if they stop you with no tax - they won't care if you're exporting.
It's not like over here where you have to be stopped for them to realise you have no tax, every traffic police car has ANPR in the UK and if they spot a car with no tax they will pull you over.

I'll be driving a 3litre v6 topped to the last - Lets see them catch me

Seriously though Thanks for the heads up.
I'll see what the seller recommends

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 8:39pm

I had this problem with the first car I bought, seller didn't want to hand over V5 as in a private sale you always just hand them the new owner part, and post off the original to the DVLA yourself.

I had to ring the DVLA, get them on the phone and have them tell the seller to give me the full V5 but make sure he had a signed receipt to prove the car was sold and it wasn't his anymore to cover himself(for traffic offenses and whatnot).

Whatever you do, do not buy a car without the full V5 as it's a massive headache.

olewy · 20-08-2010 8:50pm

Thanks Tradgedy. I'm coming round to your way of thinking now regarding the whole process. Appreciate the help.

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 9:04pm

I spent a couple of months looking for my first car, trawling through ebay, autotrader, pistonheads and owners club forums.

It pays off and you get a gem!

What car are you looking for out of curiousity?

olewy · 20-08-2010 9:12pm

Looking at a 320D Sport. I'm aware of the engine's long litany of issues (turbos, swirflaps, DMFs etc) but I don't mind.

The seller has mentioned that the car will need a service in the next few months. Should this impending cost be reflected in the selling cost do you think?

Dr Nic · 20-08-2010 9:19pm

If you're asking me then im buying the nicest car on the road

My second Peugot 406 coupe

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 9:24pm

olewy wrote: »

Looking at a 320D Sport. I'm aware of the engine's long litany of issues (turbos, swirflaps, DMFs etc) but I don't mind.

The seller has mentioned that the car will need a service in the next few months. Should this impending cost be reflected in the selling cost do you think?

All car's have problems, the 320D's aren't that common once it's been looked after.

Unfortunately, when selling or buying second hand I've noticed that
a) Tax or lack of tax don't affect the value of a car, they just make it easier to sell
b) Same for duration left on MoT/NCT
c) Same for consumable like tyres, recent clutch change etc

FSH, extra spec and low mileage do add some value mind.

Also, keep an eye on autotrader-ni and usedcarsni.com - much easier to view a car up north than in the UK, although they tend to be that bit more expensive.

Kotek Besar · 20-08-2010 9:49pm

olewy wrote: »

Temporary insurance: the seller wants me to have proof of comprehensive UK insurance when I arrive to test drive it.

Some linkage for you..

http://www.dayinsure.com/
http://www.aviva.co.uk/short-term-car-insurance/
http://www.theaa.com/insurance/short-term-car-insurance.html
https://www.shortterminsurance.co.uk/yourdetails.aspx?cookieCheck=true
http://www.ecarinsurance.co.uk/index.php

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 10:01pm

Couple of problems with these;
Firstly, they generally only insure people residing in the UK
Secondly, they generally only insure you within the UK and
Thirdly, they only insure you on cars you own.

Kotek Besar · 20-08-2010 10:03pm

Tragedy wrote: »

Couple of problems with these;
Firstly, they generally only insure people residing in the UK
Secondly, they generally only insure you within the UK and
Thirdly, they only insure you on cars you own.

The AA for one insures overseas visitors to the UK on a car not owned by the visitor.

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 10:16pm

I had a quick look at tempcover.com(which is who the AA sends you to) - it seems like the owner has to take the cover out for the temporary driver. Also, the T&C's are a mess

olewy · 20-08-2010 10:27pm

After reading negative reviews online about the RAC and AA inspections by past users I've decided to use the services of an independant BMW specialist instead. (positive reviews online about the garage, years of specialist BMW experience etc. They look legit).

They're situated about 30mins drive from the seller. Now the problem is convincing the seller to bring the car to the garage and to take the time to get the inspection done. I guess I could ask if he's ok to have the car towed to the garage and back but that's extra expense and even at that I don't think he'd agree based on previous conversations. Anyone else done this before? i.e. arrange from over here to have an independent specialist to inspect the car?

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 10:30pm

olewy wrote: »

After reading negative reviews online about the RAC and AA inspections by past users I've decided to use the services of an independant BMW specialist instead. (positive reviews online about the garage, years of specialist BMW experience etc. They look legit).

They're situated about 30mins drive from the seller. Now the problem is convincing the seller to bring the car to the garage and to take the time to get the inspection done. I guess I could ask if he's ok to have the car towed to the garage and back but that's extra expense and even at that I don't think he'd agree based on previous conversations. Anyone else done this before? i.e. arrange from over here to have an independent specialist to inspect the car?

I've driven an hour so a guy could view my car. People trying to sell me a car have done similar.

If he isn't willing to take an hour or two out to make you happy that his car is the one for you, why are you trying to give him money?

Esel · 20-08-2010 10:30pm

olewy wrote: »

VRO contacts: www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/vro_contacts.doc
More info that might help you: http://www.transfermate.com/en/uk_car_imports.html

Re how soon: 24hrs I believe

From 1st September, VRT will be payable at NCT centres, not VRO offices. You will have 7 days from date of importation to make a VRT appointment. You will have to have a dated invoice, and lateness of registering will be penalised.

olewy · 20-08-2010 10:38pm

Tragedy wrote: »

I've driven an hour so a guy could view my car. People trying to sell me a car have done similar.

If he isn't willing to take an hour or two out to make you happy that his car is the one for you, why are you trying to give him money?

I'm beginning to question the same myself. I'm going to phone the garage tomorrow to get some prices & info, run it by the seller to see if its feasible for him and if he's not cool with it I'll walk away. Who knows what other issues I'll have with him when it comes to agreeing price, payment, ownership transfer & proof of paid off finance.

Esel · 20-08-2010 10:40pm

Tragedy wrote: »

#2 As you're exporting the car, you don't complete the V5. You take the whole document with you as the VRO require it to register the car.

Isn't there a small tear-off section (#11?) of the V5 relating to permanent exportation that the seller is supposed to remove, fill in and send to DVLO?

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 10:49pm

esel wrote: »

Isn't there a small tear-off section (#11?) of the V5 relating to permanent exportation that the seller is supposed to remove, fill in and send to DVLO?

Only the person listed as the registered owner on the V5 can fill out the section for permanent export. Check the DVLA website if you don't believe me

Esel · 20-08-2010 11:44pm

Tragedy wrote: »

Only the person listed as the registered owner on the V5 can fill out the section for permanent export. Check the DVLA website if you don't believe me

That would be the seller, as I said...

Tragedy · 20-08-2010 11:54pm

Misread sorry! The seller only fills out section 11 if he, personally, is exporting the car.

If he is selling it to someone from outside Great Britain, DVLA guidelines 'recommend' the seller fills in Section 6+10, and seller+buyer signs Section 8 - but the complete V5 with all sections is still given to the buyer.

The seller then sends a letter to Swansea stating car, reg, when sold and name+address of new owner outside GB.

In practice, the DVLA told me that a receipt was sufficient rather than filling in section 6/8/10.

Esel · 20-08-2010 11:59pm

Thanks for the update on that. The previous advice on this thread was for the seller to do the section 11 thing. I'd say most sellers might be reluctant to let the full V5 go....

Tragedy · 21-08-2010 12:08am

esel wrote: »

Thanks for the update on that. The previous advice on this thread was for the seller to do the section 11 thing. I'd say most sellers might be reluctant to let the full V5 go....

Both times I showed them driving license/insurance cert, and signed the receipt and in the end they were relatively happy to leave it at that.

Once they can prove they sold the car to person X at address Y on date Z, they should be!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_065264.pdf
Page 8. As you can see, Section 11 is only for if the seller is personally exporting the car.

macplaxton · 21-08-2010 6:39am

esel wrote: »

Thanks for the update on that. The previous advice on this thread was for the seller to do the section 11 thing. I'd say most sellers might be reluctant to let the full V5 go....

Yes, the DVLA keep changing their mind. I've got a copy of INS160 here (marked 10/06, downloaded 13/09/2008) which gave the Section 11 advice. Prior to that, the current advice of separate letter was used. Yo-yos, so they are.

yop · 23-08-2010 9:52am

esel wrote: »

From 1st September, VRT will be payable at NCT centres, not VRO offices. You will have 7 days from date of importation to make a VRT appointment. You will have to have a dated invoice, and lateness of registering will be penalised.

http://nct.ie/vrt.html

I see they are looking for proof of travel? What happens if you don't have the tickets, I binned them when I got home as I never thought it was a requirement before this!

I will have the car over 2 weeks before I get it done, will the penalise me for this do you think?

Thanks

Dr Nic · 23-08-2010 10:35am

As an aside Guys, has anyone ever done any shopping before they got on the ferry?
I'll be in Holyhead hopefully at 3pm tomorrow with a ferry at 5pm.
Any bargains to be had there?
Clothes, beer, wine, computer electronics etc?

And where is the cheapest place to get sterling today Guys?

I genuinely cannot wait for tomorrow!

The_Conductor · 23-08-2010 11:47am

Dr Nic wrote: »

And where is the cheapest place to get sterling today Guys?

I use Transfermate.com (its part of currency.ie) for sterling transfers. Fexco are good too.

With the decimation of alcohol duties here- a lot of the reasons to go shopping up North (or in Wales) are gone. There isn't even a massive difference in the VAT rate (17.5% versus 21%). If there is a Waitrose handy- their food is nice and worth stocking up on- other than that, I'd hardly bother.

Dr Nic · 23-08-2010 12:43pm

Does anyone know the story with driving in the UK with no tax?
I just rang a welsh police officer and he didnt really tell me much bar - 'dont do it'.

he did say that you can buy tax for 6 months, then apply for a refund.
Maybe thats an option?

Or maybe i'll chance it?

Looks like an 80pound fine?
http://www.nopenaltypoints.co.uk/driving-without-insurance-tax-or-mot.html

What do you think Guys?

Dr Nic · 23-08-2010 12:57pm

This is worrying me now Guys...

"The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) carries out a computer check each month, as well as roadside checks to identify those vehicles without a valid tax disc. You could face an automatic penalty of £80 as well as a minimum fine of £1000. Your vehicle could be clamped, impounded or even crushed."

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10021514

Even if i get it taxed today, i can still be pulled for not displaying a valid disc tomorrow!!!
Fack it!!!

Importing from the UK - definitive guide (Q&A)

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