Good or bad? Importing a car from the EU to the UK

[@Involvod]

Big thank you for making this, absolutely perfect timing as I'm doing this right now 🙏👍

[@GentilsGarage]

You’re welcome. Any questions, give me a shout.

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video, Gentil. I'm sure it will be helpful for a lot of people. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you very much.

[@maurovenezia]

Thank you for the video . I’m planning to import from Italy my old Honda (first reg 05/1992).

[@GentilsGarage]

Glad it helped. Good luck!

[@BukalangaTv]

Big thanks very detailed indeed

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you, hope it helps

[@guycarlisle9711]

Very good insight.. as I am having a a nightmare getting mine registered

[@GentilsGarage]

Thanks. What issues are you having?

[@guycarlisle9711]

@@GentilsGarage Need a COC

[@GentilsGarage]

@@guycarlisle9711 how old is the car and what make is it?

[@GentilsGarage]

Or, send me an email to [e-mail]

[@guycarlisle9711]

Sent - thanks

[@garygiles63]

thank you for sharing your experience.

[@GentilsGarage]

You’re welcome

[@garygiles63]

@@GentilsGarage HI can I ask, did you us a Customs agent? if so can you recconmend them?

[@GentilsGarage]

Not me, but the transport company did that work for me who used their customs agent called Portico

[@garygiles63]

@@GentilsGarage thank you

[@Isweartolucifer]

*I'm in the uk but i prefer a left hand drive. Cause when i travel around Europe! You can hire a company that does all the registered documents*

[@GentilsGarage]

Yes, I prefer LHD too. I know I can hire a company to do the paperwork and I mentioned it in the video. But it would have cost me extra and many people these days are buying cars abroad and driving the cars themselves and doing the paperwork too. This is a result of more car transporter companies now refusing to transport cars if the vehicle documents are not in the name of the person contracting the transport service.

[@Mickhanic-garage]

Hi great video, very helpful.. I have a question regarding buying a car in the UK imported from Eastern Europe. Its already in the UK, had the NOVA done but no idea how long ago, however it was never registered but is now for sale, does this change anything? This is assuming it has the NOVA certificate and registration document present... Cheers

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you. If already have the NOVA certificate, (not just the number) you are ready to start the registration process with DVLA, like I did with mine

[@antonustymchyk3135]

Thanks you for information.

[@GentilsGarage]

You’re welcome

[@bor5ukB5K]

Hi, Thank you for video. I consider to import car from EU as well so yours video is very helpful. One question how long customs keep your car?

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you. It depends if you have all the correct paperwork with you with things such as a full declaration of sale or invoice, and the vehicle documents. In my case, it was 24 hours as one detail was missing from the car transport company. Other wise, if all the docs are ok, it is straightforward

[@B4AFX]

How would I go about importing something like an i30N Performance from Australia to the UK? I haven't got a clue who I would pay to buy the car, how I'd give the shipment company access, who to use, etc

[@GentilsGarage]

If importing a car from Uatrakia, Japan, US, the best way to do it is to search for an import agency that also does the shipping. Some can make the purchase for you and deal with the process from start to finish.

[@BartlomiejSpiewak]

awesome video helped me a lot! I have a question about the registration fee. My tax for an imported VW Caddy from Sweden for 6 months is £159.50 so do I need to add £55 registration fee to this and send postal order for £214.5? Also in form v55/5 point 4 where state tax payable do I fill whole amount included £55 fee (£214.50) or just £159.50 and tick box for registration fee?

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you, glad it helped. Yes, the postal order is for £214.5. On the field 4 just put the £159.50, because you already put a cross on the registration fee box. No idea why I put the £55 there

[@BartlomiejSpiewak]

@@GentilsGarage thank you !!!

[@GentilsGarage]

@@BartlomiejSpiewak my pleasure

[@standelasanantone2180]

I will be driving my US spec (2022 model) from Germany to UK, where I will live for ~2 years; what do I need to pay (and to do) in order to register it with DVLA?

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi. If your car has a German registration, then it would likely have a certificate of conformity to be registered in there (orange turn signals, rear fog light and reversing light for example). yu nee that certificate (only the factory or dealer can issue it, no one else). Since it is a US spec car then it would have a speedometer in miles, which is good news and being a 2022 car you would probably be able to change the beam pattern to drive on the left without having to change the headlight units. However, your situation will have different rules as it is a newer car and could be subject to higher taxes of 20% VAT over the value of the vehicle, but since it looks like you are changing residence, you may qualify for duty and vat exemption which would have to be applied for. Call the HMRC helpline on 0300 322 9434 and they will be able to give a better idea of the costs Follow this link which shows the steps of import and registration: www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

[@MuzzaHukka]

Was the vehicle purchased as part of the European delivery program or was it purchased from a dealership in the US and registered in the US before being shipped to Germany? And, what will you be doing in the UK?

[@eduardomorgili6273]

Hi Gentil, thank you so much for the video! I am ''dreaming'' about bringing my 1976 VW Beetle from my home country (Brazil) into England but what is holding me back is the complexity of the process and a rumor that I heard that in order to legalize the vehicle DVLA requires a proof of the age of the car by the manufacturer or an authorised club (just as you mentioned in the video). I just want to make sure I understood properly what you explained, if I have the original registration papers (the brazilian documents of the car) I WILL NOT NEED the certificate to prove the age of the car, is this correct? I am so sorry if I sound obvious but I want to get this right before I even start considering this big project. I would appreciate if you could answer this question. Thank you again for the video, very helpful!!!

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi, yes that’s correct. The original Brazilian registration documents must have on them the date of manufacture or date of first registration. If that information is there, then there is no need to have a dating certificate. If the date of manufacture or a date of first registration is not on the registration, then you need a dating certificate. I think the historic VW club in the UK can issue a dating certificate for the car that can be accepted by the DVLA. There was a buy that had a beetle from Portugal for many years and it had no documents and when the car was completed, the club certified the year of production and issued a dating certificate.

[@eduardomorgili6273]

@@GentilsGarage great!!!!!! Thank you so much for that! I appreciate it

[@GentilsGarage]

@@eduardomorgili6273 De nada, Foi um prazer.

[@marco25avr]

Looks like I'm going to have loads of fun bringing my car to the Uk. 😅

[@GentilsGarage]

You’ll be fine. Just use The Lisbon London Line and they’ll help

[@marco25avr]

Im planning to drive it myself until Bilbao and then catch the ferry to Portsmouth. What do you recommend? @@GentilsGarage

[@RBK36]

Hi, o want to import a Porsche boxster from uk to sweden, do you know the steps to fo that?

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi you say you want to take it from UK to Sweden? In that case have a look on the DVLA link: www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk

[@theyjustwantyourmoney4539]

If it's complicated like this from Europe then importing a classic car from other continents is a nightmare. 😱

[@GentilsGarage]

It depends really. Using an agency make the job much easier as the load is taken off you. Jonny Smith from the Late Brake Show, Hub Nut and Furious Driving did import video from US and New Zealand and the process took a while especially with shipping. But, yes, if you do your homework, it’s shouldn’t be too bad and get better with experience. I’d like to do the same again from Portugal (it’s easier for me) but it still takes time!

[@Seqhael]

Do you know if you have to send proof of insurance? On the DVLA website it says proof of insurance or cover letter for Northern Ireland only. Nobody will insure my vehicle right now because of a combination of things (vehicle stored at a facility not my postal address, have not been resident for 1 or 3 years in some cases, LHD vehicle, foreign license) But I’ve had insurers willing to insure me if I had UK plates 🤦‍♂️ it’s honestly a nightmare. If I don’t have to prove insurance then it will be 100x easier

[@GentilsGarage]

I didn’t need to as it’s not compulsory in England for classic cars at least. Where are you located, what is the car?

[@Seqhael]

@@GentilsGarage my van is just outside of Birmingham, it’s a 2006 Mercedes Sprinter

[@GentilsGarage]

@@Seqhael then you shouldn’t need proof of insurance if it’s in England. But, insuring your vehicle if it’s not kept overnight at the home address, will be very difficult as most insurance companies won’t cover. If you are moving from another country to the UK than you can apply not to pay import duty. However

[@moutinho]

Hi, I want to buy a car in UK with Germany plates to take to Portugal. The owner says that I need to get a temporary number plates from uk. He says the plates from Germany belong to him. What do you recommend?

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi, I’m afraid that is more due to German law because the car has German plates. As far as I’m concerned, you need an export certificate from the German authorities to say the car is being exported permanently from Germany. Regardless of Location, the car is German registered and you might need that to register it in Portugal.

[@maxtalich2508]

Hello, I have a question. I moved to England 3 years ago from the Czech Republic and I now want to import my Czech car to the uk. I have just had the car in the uk for 6 months and will be driving it back to CZ now. Is it true that the car needs to stay in CZ for over 6 months before i can import it to the uk? I also heard that the British might check bank statements to see if I have been actually living in the Czech Republic for those 6 moths. Thank you very much for any clarification on this.

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi, Your case is different as you are changing your residency and that is somenthing I dont have much information. For the purposes of registering your car in the UK, you might need to get a certificate of conformity from the manufacturer (do not trust those agencies that promise to give you one for a fee, you should only get the certificate from the manufacturer) and make sure your headlights are setup for the UK roads as this will be checked by the MOT centre. When it comes to taxation and in order to be exempt from paying import duties, you have to prove that you have changed your residence from CZ to UK, but you have to check with HMRC the necessary documents needed for that. Regarding your question "Is it true that the car needs to stay in CZ for over 6 months before i can import it to the uk", I'm not sure about this. The 6 months rule is when aforeign registered car cannot stay in the UK for more than 6 months, otherwise it has to be registered in the UK. "The British might check bank statements to see if I have been actually living in the Czech Republic for those 6 moths", I am not aware of this, but i would have thought they would use a UK bank accont statement and a mortgage, rent coming being paid from that account and a salary being paid into it. Again, check with HMRC.

[@StalinsFather1945]

Hi, Thank you so very much for the information, its the only video with all the relevant information. Thank you again. What transport/shipping company did you use ?

[@GentilsGarage]

The company I used no longer does comercial imports like mine, but between portugal and UK there is a company called The Lisbon-London line. Another company that does other EU imports is called My Car Import and does a lot of paperwork filling for you, but having a car with a proper document with the manufacture date is essential

[@StalinsFather1945]

@@GentilsGarage Thank you very much. You are the best ! Hope the BMW is going great for you man !

[@GentilsGarage]

@@StalinsFather1945 thank you very much. Unfortunately the car isn’t too good as the head gasket blew last week and I have to stop the project for the time being

[@StalinsFather1945]

@@GentilsGarage oh no, yeah that sucks, I hear its easier to just get another engine in such a case. Keep at it, the car is beautifull !

[@antalzsolti]

thank you for the video.I am thinking to buy a car from someone visiting the UK ,The car is registered in Eu.The current owner been in UK for the last 2 months and decided to go home and sell the car .Do you know what is the process for NOVA in this case?thank you for your time .

[@GentilsGarage]

Sorry for the delay. The Nova process would be similar to mine, but you need all the vehicle documents, the date of entry of the vehicle and a declaration of sale from the owner stating the the date the car was sold, how much, who sold it etc. Basically, like a invoice. However, please double check with HMRC for further details and with DVLA on how to get the car registered

[@malikwajahat1519]

Hi,I was having my Switzerland Registered car in the UK for about 6 months without registering it with MHRC because you fan drive for 6 months on foreign plates…but now my trip is longer than 6 months and my car is in Switzerland right now…Can I just bring my car in the UK again as I will have a new ferry ticket…or do I have to fille tax exemption form…because after some moneths I will take my car back to Switzerland…Need Help…What step shall I take.

[@GentilsGarage]

I think you should be OK to bring the car. The law says 6 months in total - this can be a single visit or shorter visits over 12 months. When was the last time the car was in the UK? Also, if you bring the car and it stays here without leaving the country for more than six months, you have to do a HMRC customs relief form. That is if your normal place of residence is outside the UK.

[@gingerskydust6573]

I'm getting back to my home in the UK and I want to bring my EU car withe, as it's a classic 4x4. Can I drive to the UK as usual and then get it registered when i get home?

[@GentilsGarage]

Is it registered in your name on the country where the 4x4 is from? If so, yes you can but only up to 180 days from the point of entry

[@gingerskydust6573]

@@GentilsGarage okay! Thanks!!

[@MuzzaHukka]

If you're moving back to the UK, you can claim duty relief

[@carla-om4rp]

Hello I m a bit confuse of the procedure and scare to make a mistake Do you know any company that can help me through The compilation and submission of documents? I got the Nova ref, I done with my name, but The car is a name of my fiancé, I hope will be valide. I din t pay Any VAT yet because I don t understand how to calculate the right amount and where to make the payment. Plus I don t understand if I have to do The British Mot certificate Before to complete and send the V55/5 DVLA declaración form .

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi, You said you have the NOVA reference number? How old is the car and which country it came from?

[@carla-om4rp]

Hi Thankyou for the response Yes I have a Nova Ref and even the Tor url number. The car came from Spain and it is been manufactured in 2018

[@joaoafonso4698]

Hello, buddy, my truck has two colors, how do I register? Thank you

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi. It depends, what colour comes up on the original registration documents?

[@tetleyparanos9860]

Hi mate, do you know what is the procedure for exporting a car from the UK to the EU?

[@GentilsGarage]

That very much depends on the country you're exporting the car to. You used to be able to get an export certificate form DVLA, but might have changed since Brexit. Anyway, it depends more on the rules imposed by the country receiving that car.

[@tetleyparanos9860]

@@GentilsGarage I'd like to find a car in UK with a left hand side wheel and export it to Croatia. I'm planning to leave the UK in a few months and at the same time take a car with me. I wouldn't have to pay a customs fee since UK is not in EU. I'm more confused about procedure here in UK. What documents I need to take with me and what about insurance. Thanks

[@GentilsGarage]

@@tetleyparanos9860 you need the V5 in your name, a valid MOT and insurance to drive the car in the UK, with European cover. Then, you have to check with Croatian authorities regarding what other things they need to register the car in Croatia. That's all

[@tetleyparanos9860]

@@GentilsGarage Thanks for the info. 👍

[@GentilsGarage]

@@tetleyparanos9860 good luck

[@saidbouki5942]

Top men

[@GentilsGarage]

Thanks

[@kefirs2]

Hi,did your car needed to do the IVA test? And did you need to change the head lights because they are EU and have different light level?

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi. Mine was RHD and was EU registered so it doesn’t need one. My car still has the original SA RHD lights so I don’t need to change them. But if it had the ones for LHD roads, then Iwould have to change them to RHD and this would be verified during an MOT.

[@agentsmith64]

What about a 2 year old car from Germany? That’s 10% VAT, or am I mistaken ? Thank you

[@GentilsGarage]

No, it pays 20% VAT

[@agentsmith64]

@@GentilsGarage wow, really?! So after brexit there’s no difference between EU and US?

[@Chrisismagical]

Hi Gentil, thanks for the video! It was very informative. I have a question: we have imported a 1964 Triumph (historic) from Germany to the U.K. We have completed the NOVA application and looking to register the car with the DVLA. Our car is in a project-state and we’re currently working on it. Now my question is, does the car have to be in a working-state/look somewhat like a functioning car in order for the registration to be accepted? Photos of our car would show it looking half-stripped! Thanks again and look forward to your reply.😁

[@GentilsGarage]

Hi, glad it helped. I think it needs to be in a completed state, but it doesn't need to be running. My car wasn't running at all when the application was made but it was complete and everything was on the car. When the inspector came to have a look, the car was still not running, and that didn't change the fact the car was genuine and matched the details on the NOVA and the DVLA application. Of course, they will not accept if a car is a pile of parts in boxes or very degraded/rotten.

[@MultiLogina]

I’m thinking about importing my Bmw f32 2015 (us spec) from EU to Uk, i saw that i might be complicated to register car in uk if it was in a crash before.. car is fully rebuilt now, so my question is it better to keep car on usa documents ? Cause it has salvage title or its better to register in eu? Would it make things easier ? Or its not worth it to do at all? 😅 i would drive that car from my home country to uk, unfortunately i can claim benefits because i was living and working in uk already more than one year

[@GentilsGarage]

So the car only has the US title, not EU registration and plate?

[@MultiLogina]

@@GentilsGarage at the moment just usa title, but its ready to be registered in eu

[@GentilsGarage]

@@MultiLogina ok, which country are you thinking of registering it?

[@MultiLogina]

@@GentilsGarage Lithuania

[@Daniel-ib9dx]

Has anyone bought a classic in europe and driven it back to the uk post brexit? I mean driven not trailered or transported. i'm buying an 84 mercedes in Belgium to bring back to london and i found a place in brussels that will insure it on the vin and give me export plates providing that i have the correct paperwork (bill of sales, passports, original reg etc. etc.) I found classic car insurance that will register it with the vin number once i get into the uk. Legally you are not allowed to drive around with this insurance unless i'm taking it to the shop for the MOT. My reasoning is if i get the correct paperwork, insurance and plates belgium side, and the vin number insurance on the UK side. I can drive it through the border and straight to the MOT shop where i'll leave it until it gets fully registered with the DVLA. I reckon i'll probably get stopped at customs on the U.K. and will probably take a day to sort out, but that's something i'm ok. Has anyone done anything like this at all? Best, Dan

[@GentilsGarage]

i know a person who has recently done this and they had a bit of an innuse at the border to get the car passed tthrough customs. Make sure you have an invoice with all the sale details and declare everything at the customs office and once all the duty is paid, get the clearence form. then, you can get a NOVA certificate

[@Daniel-ib9dx]

@@GentilsGarage hey thank you for your response. do you know what the issue was?

[@chrischarlton422]

@@Daniel-ib9dx hi did you get the car back to the UK ok? I want to do this with a car from Germany but need an insurance etc

[@Daniel-ib9dx]

I ended up getting a Mercedes w460 from Lithuania. I paid for a local Lithuanian transporter to trailer the truck over and I paid a a Ul broker 300 pounds to sort out the dvla paperwork . I wrote to Mercedes and got the build sheet and date of manufacture, to prove to the dvla it was the same car I said it was. I called hmrc within a week and told them I imported a truck, the price I paid for it, and then I paid the appropriate 5% tax on it. The dvla came to inspect the truck and within a couple of weeks I got my V5. It was really easy and probably the best 300 pounds I spent. The Lithuanians charged me about 700 pounds to trailer it over. Dan