Registering an American Import question

[25th QV]

I've just imported a 1981 American car and I'm about to post off all my paperwork to DVLA, however I understand that the DVLA only need the original title and Bill of sale documents to ascertain the date of first registration.

On both of these documents, the only date is '1981', with no reference to month or day.

Obviously the Title document in the US is very different to that of a UK V5 so I suspect that US Titles often (maybe never?) indicate the exact date of first registration, just the year - mine certainly only shows the year.

For those that have imported cars before where the Title only states the year, without the month or day, what did you put as the date of first registration on the V55/5 and in the absence of any other documentation to support, did the DVLA just accept the date you entered on the V55/5, or did they ask for additional evidence of date of first reg, and if so, what did you provide that they found acceptable?

[Bob T]

I registered a 1970 American pickup last year.
I put 1/1/1970 as the date of first registration and that has come back on the V5C.
It also states the date of first registration in the UK.
On the V5C cover it states "was registered overseas. Declared manufactured 1970".
Unless you are borderline case for tax etc I guess it doesn't matter

[25th QV]

Thanks and yes, I'm borderline for tax, so not sure whether that makes a difference as to whether they will just accept 1st jan 1981 as an arbitrary date.

I trust none of your paperwork or title substantiated the date you entered on the V55/5?

[Bob T]

My title just stated 1970, so I went with 1st January 1970 (yes it was arbitrary!)
Anything else would be a guess.... It was the 15 thousandth and x off the line that year.....and based on other stuff I think the engine block was cast in Aug 1970...but DVLA were happy

[RoadToad84]

How you getting on with this? I'm in the process of registering a car myself. Sent everything off last week, just a waiting game now. DVLA being on strike every other day isn't exactly confidence inspiring...