Importing a DeLorean from the USA

Importing a DeLorean from the USA

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Discussion

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

176 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
OK, some alcohol-fuelled thinking last night, together with the internet, gave me a Good Idea.

Always fancied a DeLorean (yes yes yes I know it's not fast and it's Marmite in the looks department, but I still fancy one) and they seem to be around £30K in The UK.

However, what's stopping someone buying this one:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C269964

and getting it delivered to the UK for around £17,500. Yes, I know it needs registering here, but how much would that cost? Less then £10,000 surely....?

(Yes, also assuming the car in question is a good one. Ideally, need to view it, but I wouldn't view that as a "cost" as I would make a holiday of it. Also, if is on the West Coast, you could drive the Route 66 on the way back, what a great road trip that would be in a Delorean).

Anyway, back in the real world, there must be a flaw with my Good Idea......

Slushbox

1,484 posts

104 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
Wheeler Dealers imported one, I think the freight and impost cost about £2000 some time ago.

There is (was) a Delorean import outfit in the Nederlands, if they still exist.

I think its one of the best looking cars made, though not quick by modern standards. There's also a Delorean owners group in the UK who will probably have much more up to date information.

The last time I looked, a 'late' 1983 model with 77 miles on the clock was about $56K.

imagineifyeswill

1,224 posts

165 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
If you read the advert properly it tells you it would be about $1400 dollars to ship to the UK.

Strawman

6,463 posts

206 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
There is a customs duty for importing a car from outside the EU, 10% of the total cost of the car combined with the shipping.

Roo

11,503 posts

206 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
Shipping (roughly £1,000), import duty (10%) and VAT (20%).

However, over thirty years old I wonder if it would qualify for BTI?

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

176 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
VAT at 5%?

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/classic-imports/

So, £17,500 (call it £18,000 to include insurance) plus 25% is £22,500.

SVA is £100. RHD headlights needed. Still a good deal, but not looking so good now.....

Thanks.

98elise

26,376 posts

160 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
My brother imported one from the USA about 10 years ago. There's a guide on his website

http://www.mydmc.co.uk/home.html

philbrooker

91 posts

171 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
I went over and shipped mine back last year , I made a holiday of it too.
A few points to note though ,
Insurance is very expensive unless you can take out a policy using an address in the states .
The transfer of the title often includes the licence plate so you will have to get a drive-out tag from the DMV.
Get breakdown cover !!!!!!

Otherwise it's a great way to buy one !
Feel free to PM me if you want to run though anything .

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

176 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
Thanks!

One quick question: was it worth it financially?

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
Couldn't you bring it over in 1985, be a lot cheaper then.

JumboBeef

Original Poster:

3,772 posts

176 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
daytona365 said:
Couldn't you bring it over in 1985, be a lot cheaper then.
No, it would be too new to import as a classic.

philbrooker

91 posts

171 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
It was about £15000 all in , flights too. Accommodation not included though.

I used a company in Milton Keynes called "shipmycar" they were brilliant. Houston - Felixstowe . You can get an online quote on their website

Roo

11,503 posts

206 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
Doesn't need SVA, which is now IVA, as it's over ten years old. Just needs an MOT.

The Turbonator

2,792 posts

150 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
It's been a dream of mine to find a nice one in the USA and then tour America with it before driving to the port to get it shipped back.

If I ever won the lottery or a substantial amount of money, it'd be one of the first things I did.