Tempted by favourable exchange rates into importing a classic car, but don't know where to start? Let us show you the ropes...
The age of the internet has brought massive benefits to classic car enthusiasts, whether they’re ordering replacement parts, researching their favourite models or simply joining in on a conversation with other fanatics of the same marque. Crucially, though, it has opened up it has opened up another fascinating door, allowing us to see cars for sale all over the world. And there can’t be many of us who haven’t followed this up with thought of actually bring one back to the UK.
These days it’s a simple process to go online and start perusing classic cars for sale just about anywhere; and when that happens, it’s not long before our thoughts turn to the prospect of buying a car overseas and importing it to the UK.
Finding your car
So where are the overseas bargains – and what’s available if you fancy the challenge? The answer is potentially this: everywhere and everything.
The process of browsing online for suitable classic cars in your country of choice is relatively straightforward, and time spent doing this will give you an idea of what you can get for your money.
Buying in the EU
As for the actual process of importing an older car from a country that’s part of the EU, this is often straightforward – as is registering it in your name for use in the UK. The theory is that you bring the car to Britain from any EU country, MoT it over here (via its chassis/Vin number, assuming it’s a 1960-on car which requires an MoT) and then apply to the DVLA for a V5C document in your name.
This registration process involves completing a form V55/5 (downloadable from the internet via www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration) and paying a £55 first registration fee, as well as the cost of Vehicle Excise Duty. Your new V5C will then arrive via the DVLA a few weeks later.
You’ll obviously need to ensure that your imported car comes with the official paperwork from the country you’re buying it in, as this will need presenting to the DVLA to prove its make, model, age and spec. And when it comes to the first MoT test, you’ll need to ensure your car is UK-compliant, particularly when it comes to areas like front and rear lighting.
Another thing to bear in mind is that it’s technically illegal for a permanent UK citizen to use their vehicle in this country while it’s still registered overseas. This is something the police are cracking down on, as reported earlier this year. Similarly, if you’re going to drive the car from its previous address in Europe all the way to a UK port, you’ll be legally required to have insurance that covers you for the journey.
The good news for would-be importers, of course, is that the EU has more member states than ever these days – including recent additions like the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Romania and Malta. Don’t assume, however, that former Communist Bloc countries are still overrun with bargain-priced classics waiting to be snapped up by British enthusiasts. For example, supplies in the Czech Republic aren’t what they were, thanks to a hefty Ecological Tax on older vehicles there now. As an alternative it’s often worth checking online for cars that have already made it over here form countries like Poland, driven over by people migrating to Britain.
From outside the European Union
Inevitably, the process of bringing a car over from any country outside the European Union can be rather complicated.
For starters, you need to decide whether you’re going for container shipment or the ‘roll-on, roll-off’ (RORO) process. The latter is unsuitable for any vehicle needing work, however, as the car obviously needs to be in a drivable condition. On the other hand, container shipping is generally more expensive – with some quotes coming in at three or four times the £1000-£1500 you might get away with via RORO for a car based in the US.
Doing everything from the UK means finding a company in the country the car’s based in that you can trust to arrange the process, and making sure they get your newly acquired classic to the docks on the due date. Or you can entrust the whole procedure to a British specialist with representatives in your country of choice (the easiest option by far), but obviously more expensive.
Cost-wise, you also need to factor in the taxes that are due once your classic car arrives in the UK from outside the EU. Duty is rated at 10% (on the price of the car and the shipping costs combined), with 20% VAT then payable on that total figure (including the car’s purchase price and all of the transport and insurance expenses). Exceptions to this are cars that are more than 30 years of age and are in original condition, with no substantial changes to their chassis, engine, transmission, steering, brakes and so on; once a Binding Tariff Information (BTI) certificate has been issued by Customs to confirm such facts, these cars should attract no duty and only 5% VAT on the total cost of purchasing and importing your car.
10 point importing checklist
1. Choosing your car
Be sure of what you want, and how much you’re prepared to pay. If it’s a specific car you want, make sure you research everything.
2. Make friends
There’s nothing better when buying than being armed with all the facts. If you’re unable to see the car you’re looking at first hand, find someone on the ground – a specialist or someone in a club – who can do it for you.
3. Be sure of your costs
It’s all well and good finding the classic of your dreams for a bargain price, but be sure that the cost of shipping doesn’t make the whole operation uneconomical.
4. Know how you’re getting it home
If you’re buying in Europe, consider driving it home to keep down costs – but make sure you’re insured and it’s legal!
5. Shipping it home?
If you’re buying from further afield, make sure that you’re familiar with the port it’s sailing from – and if it’s coming from the USA, carefully consider if you’re shipping from the Eastern or Western seaboard, and how close it is to where the car is.
6. Getting it to the docks
So, you’ve decided where it’s sailing to the UK from – check that the seller will deliver it to the port. And, if not, please make sure that you factor in additional transportation costs.
7. Taxes paid?
When your new pride and joy arrives in the UK, remember that if it’s from the outside the EU, you’ll need to pay import duty, and VAT on top of that.
8. Insurance
Make sure that you’re covered before, during and after your arrival in the UK.
9. Making it legal
Before you can get your car registered, you’ll need to get it MoT’d. This is a standard test for EU cars.
10. Registration
Once tested, make sure that you fill in your forms, and arrange registration with the DVLA at the earliest opportunity.