vat on Ferrari first registered in Germany, Japan import

[jaisharma]

Hello all,
I am importing a Testarossa from Japan. it was first registered in Germany in 1988 and then exported to Japan. I had the German registration confirmed by Ferrari.
It won't be liable for import duty as it is EU manufactured but my question relates to the VAT. I understand that if the car was already registered in Germany I would not need to pay VAT again. But it seems that I might have to pay VAT - the reasons are unclear .
It seems unfair that VAT would have to be paid on an time that has already had VAT paid once. Does anyone have any experience of this?
I will obviously take this up with HMRC too
It won't qualify for the 5% historic vehicle rate it seems, either.
Thanks

[Heunique]

its highely likely that the vat was originally reclaimed when exported to japan,

registration means nothing really on vat status

[jaisharma]

Thanks