Imported car purchase

[bruciebonuz]

I am looking at a project car (an old Alfa) that was imported from the EU several years ago. The current seller bought it from someone else and Its not clear to me whether the original importer ever informed HMRC. As its a project car its never been registered with DVLA.

Any advice - am not sure if a NOVA would be needed to now register this car with the DVLA? Or other paperwork?

Edited by bruciebonuz on Tuesday 26th February 14:56

[Deefor62]

I bought an old 1750gtv that had been imported from Sicily back in 1989

At the time it was still on Sicilian plates, and no duty had been payable as it was from the E.U.
Getting it registered was easy, as all I had to do was get an MOT using the chassis number, send the MOT certificate off along with my receipt of purchase to the local vehicle licensing office

I’m sure that if things are significantly different now, someone will kindly correct me.

[Pericoloso]

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

[bruciebonuz]

Pericoloso said:

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

Thanks, that doesn't really help though as it has been imported already, been in the UK for longer than the NOVA system has been up and running I think.

[aeropilot]

bruciebonuz said:

I am looking at a project car (an old Alfa) that was imported from the EU several years ago. The current seller bought it from someone else and Its not clear to me whether the original importer ever informed HMRC. As its a project car its never been registered with DVLA.

As mentioned HMRC is not an issue if imported from EU.

Getting it registered no with DVLA might be more of an issue, if its been here for some time.
Is it over 40 years old and thus in historic VED status?
Do you have any of the original import paperwork?

[bruciebonuz]

aeropilot said:

As mentioned HMRC is not an issue if imported from EU.

Getting it registered no with DVLA might be more of an issue, if its been here for some time.
Is it over 40 years old and thus in historic VED status?
Do you have any of the original import paperwork?

Its a 1962 car. Has been here for a while. I am finding out about any import paperwork.

[aeropilot]

bruciebonuz said:

aeropilot said:

As mentioned HMRC is not an issue if imported from EU.

Getting it registered no with DVLA might be more of an issue, if its been here for some time.
Is it over 40 years old and thus in historic VED status?
Do you have any of the original import paperwork?

Its a 1962 car. Has been here for a while. I am finding out about any import paperwork.

Will probably just need a authentication letter based on VIN from Alfa or UK Alfa Owners club and should be good enough for DVLA.
Is it now a runner, or is it still a project?

[bruciebonuz]

aeropilot said:

Will probably just need a authentication letter based on VIN from Alfa or UK Alfa Owners club and should be good enough for DVLA.
Is it now a runner, or is it still a project?

Thanks - still a project but not far off being on the road.

[arguti]

Seek advice from HMRC as you have 14 days for date of import to declare NOVA to HMRC failing which penalties build up at £10 per day thereafter - that’s as the rate when I fell foul of it back in 2014 - got off the fine as HMRC had not followed their own processes - went to go look at another old Alfa A few weeks ago with a similar issue- I walked away for different reasons but with other imports HMRC have been quite helpful. Definitely check before you buy but it will be vendor who has to do it if that makes sense.

Edited by arguti on Tuesday 26th February 21:02

[bruciebonuz]

The original italian title document is not with the car - only a copy.

I guess this makes the dvla registration more tricky and will definitely mean additional steps needed to authenticate it?

[arguti]

aeropilot said:

bruciebonuz said:

I am looking at a project car (an old Alfa) that was imported from the EU several years ago. The current seller bought it from someone else and Its not clear to me whether the original importer ever informed HMRC. As its a project car its never been registered with DVLA.

As mentioned HMRC is not an issue if imported from EU.

In terms of actual tax liability, you are correct.

In terms of the NOVA process, you are incorrect in that HMRC still require you to submit NOVA declaration within 14 days, failing which daily penalties kick in - i found this out the hard way even though both vehicles had no tax liability as EU manufactured.

In respect of this particular thread, i have no idea as obviously imported prior to existence of NOVA.

[shakotan]

Is there any evidence of the date the vehicle was imported? If it can be proved that it entered the country before NOVA was put into place then it shouldn't be an issue.