New member with UK import questions

New member with UK import questions

Author
Discussion

Ijustwant1

Original Poster:

6 posts

221 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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Hi Guys

I am currently sat in not-so-sunny Bunbury, WA and have recently test driven a VY Clubsport R8, which if I didn't already have it bad, has really got me thinking about bring a VX Clubsport R8 back to the UK as a road car.

I am sure this question has been asked a thousand times on here, but can anyone give me some advice on the pitfalls/ guestimate of costs for importing one to the UK? As far as I am aware, a member of my family here should own the car here in Oz for 6 months, then it will cost roughly UKP700 to ship the car to the UK, then it needs to go through the SVA test. Am I about right? How big a pain is the SVA test?

I am going to be around Worcester mid-Jan, and Black Ute blasts past my house in Broadheath at an approximately legal 30mph occaisonally, and a little bird tells me he imported this himself. Care to tell me about it over a pint?

Cheers all

JimmyO

sjc

14,020 posts

271 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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Do a search in this forum and I think you'll find it's quite a bit of a hassle.

raggyman

2,317 posts

244 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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Depends.. from my experience.. Is it worth it??.. You beat ya...

Now, couple of pitfalls. Best if you own it before you import it, AND bring it into the country. 1) You only have to go for a SVA, instead of the e-SVA. 2) You don't pay duty or VAT. (that can sting you big time). But as long as the person who imported it, is in the country, all is sweet.

I am thinking of doing the same thing, but finding someone I know at home who is coming over. I am eyeing off a VZ R8. Be careful who you ship it with as well. Don't forget you have insurance on top of that as well for the boat trip over. I went a half/half hedge and went half the value of the car.

HSVGTSCoupe

2,535 posts

231 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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As Jace says above.. if you have to do the e-SVA & pay duty/VAT forget it.. but if you do wot I did & bring it in as a personal import, just the SVA test is required & in a nutshell this means getting yr speedo done in MPH & a rear foglight fitted. I can provide more details on these mods if you need them.
Also, make sure you bring over some insurance history as it will help you get a decent policy over here.
cheers, Julian

BigNige

2,584 posts

225 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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Wouldn't it be easier to buy one that's already here?

island boy hsv

726 posts

240 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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Just mentioning the second hand market for HSV GTS and GTS-R ( Read Clubsport R8 and GTS)
If you specifically wont a VX there are only 8 or so examples in the UK. There are quite a few VT's that are around. It would always be worth comparing with auto trader and pistonheads classifieds for price comparison.

HSVGTSCoupe

2,535 posts

231 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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Plus I have some inside info that a fairly well loved GTS Coupe will be officially on the market in Jan!

A57 HSV

1,510 posts

231 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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[quote]Just mentioning the second hand market for HSV GTS and GTS-R ( Read Clubsport R8 and GTS)
If you specifically wont a VX there are only 8 or so examples in the UK. There are quite a few VT's that are around. It would always be worth comparing with auto trader and pistonheads classifieds for price comparison.
[/quote]

One less now. Sob,sob.

ringram

14,700 posts

249 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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Yes, you might get an HSV just as cheap here, most are low mile versions.
If you want a VY or VZ model, you will have to bring your own.
When I was looking VX HSV's were around $25K oz, or about £11,000 so not much in it.
Of course some are still looking to sell at £20,000, but they will need lots of luck.

Ijustwant1

Original Poster:

6 posts

221 months

Tuesday 20th December 2005
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Thanks very much for the info guys. I think it's time to start doing some research, head scratching and sums!

As for choice of model, I have been advised here that the VX is quite a different (read improved) animal to the VT, so that is the kind of thing I am looking for. And it has to be a Tiger Bronze manual!

v2hsv

160 posts

236 months

Wednesday 21st December 2005
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IJustWant1,

Be very afraid about bringing a Commodore into the country (i.e. particularly VY, VZ).

Speak to KiwiHSv about how difficult VOSA (our registration people) can be.

Look at websites on importing cars into UK.

Cheers

Eric