Hi all, water testing here . . . .

I'm toying with the idea of importing a late two door Classic RR from Europe, where there are plenty for sale, unlike here where there are none

Bonkers, I know

So, the question is, has anyone ever done a similar thing - ie import a used motor from Europe ?

Are any particular countries worse than others on the paperwork side ?

Are there any members in Europe who would like to comment . . . . . good or bad comments - all welcome !

Cars available in Portugal look particularly appealing - if only for the drive back

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

I regularly import from USA and its pretty straightforward. My guess is its quite easy but expect 10% import duty & VAT to be paid if not EU country. Not sure about EU....

I have done it a couple of times to and from Belgium with various cars.
Import into the UK make sure you have the full EU Certificate of Conformity - the one with all the measurements on usually 2 shhets of A4 - Belgium have a single A5 cert which is not acceptable - homogulation(?) was need.
Lights have to be changed - including fog
Taxes?, I did not have to pay any as the vehicles were over 6months old and more than 6000kms on - Something about them not being a "new mode of transport".
Filled all the forms out - Import pack available from the DVLA, paid some money for admin. Received V5 in the post.
Last time was about 3 years ago with no problems. I did find the 'local' DVLA helpful face-to-face.

Edit to add link -http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_199220.pdf

Thanks Gaz & David . . . . I knew someone would understand !

I've got the DVLA Import pack - which looks pretty straightforward. I must say, Gaz, the VAT issue is a little unclear ? - i'll have to speak with Mr HMRC, I guess

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Here is an idea to save you some money - buy one with an Eastern European plate on (preferably Lithuania, Latvia or Poland) and you wont have to pay road tax, insurance, get an MOT, pay for parking or even stop at traffic lights.

If you cause an accident you can merrily speed off safe in the knowledge that even if the poor sod you hit does get your numberplate he will be advised by the UK police not to bother perusing any form of punishment as "its pointless"

Not that I'd advise the following personally but you can also drink and drive all you like too.

If you want to go for the ultimate 'untouchable car' make sure you tint the windows to an insane level of black (way beyond the level any UK plated car would get pulled for), have an industrial grade stereo and speaker system fitted (make sure you super-glue the volume knob to 11 tho so EVERYONE in the surrounding counties knows you have arrived at 2am) and drive round with a purple cloud of weed smoke trailing from the car.

Disclaimer - above opinion based on FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE, not headline grabbing tabloids, so for the ones that think this doesn't happen - come visit Hereford and see for yourself.

/rant over.

If it's a used car from the EU then the VAT should have already been paid (get the original invoice if possible so that you don't have to pay it again) and from memory there isn't import duty on a second hand car that you are personally importing (worth googling however since it is a while since I did this).

katash , so you dont work for the 'hereford tourist board' then...  ... - .- -.




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stan wrote:

katash , so you dont work for the 'hereford tourist board' then...

Thanks, Vaguely - I have a significant amount of digging to do yet !

Katash, as for you, can't you kick the cat or slap the wife about a bit instead of getting all het up on here ?

Rant over !



MORE USEFUL REPLIES MOST WELCOME  Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Katash, maybe you need one of these: http://www.armyjeeps.net/1962%20T-114/T-114APC.htm

Probably does better MPG too .... 
07 Supercharged - Still breaking her in!

Boot soundproofing part 1 - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15612.html
Custom exhaust - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15296.html
18" wheels for Brembo equipped cars - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15052.html

TugRR wrote:

Katash, as for you, can't you kick the cat or slap the wife about a bit instead of getting all het up on here ?

hmmm

I do wonder how far the jerry can on the back would really get you or if it would be just enough to fill empty fuel lines

And agree with the above RE far east euro plates...

Also make good draughting vehicles on the motorway or thru towns when on a bike to hold onto to get you upto speed as not as H&S panzy as UK drivers  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

OK chaps, back to the original thread - would anyone out there in Portugal like to comment please . . . . .

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?