Buying a car with no TUV from Germany to import to the UK
Discussion
Hi,
I'm looking into buying a Mercedes W115 from Germany to bring back to the UK for restoration. I've found a potentially suitable vehicle and am aware of being able to buy a German car for export.
However, I am not sure on the details - or if it's possible - to buy a car without a TUV (German MOT) as a foreigner. We'd of course trailer said car back home - assuming I can legally purchase it there.
Anyone have any experience?
Thanks
I'm looking into buying a Mercedes W115 from Germany to bring back to the UK for restoration. I've found a potentially suitable vehicle and am aware of being able to buy a German car for export.
However, I am not sure on the details - or if it's possible - to buy a car without a TUV (German MOT) as a foreigner. We'd of course trailer said car back home - assuming I can legally purchase it there.
Anyone have any experience?
Thanks
The car does not have to have an MOT when you buy it.
The seller must of course be the owner. For registered vehicles in Germany, we always prove this by means of the vehicle registration document, which today is the EU registration certificate Part II (1 page DINA4 format). In parallel, the owner has the vehicle registration document, which is the EU registration certificate Part I (210 mm × 105 mm, folded twice to DIN A7). In the case of deregistered vehicles, there are usually only invalidated certificates or a sales contract, etc.
The vehicle only has a registration number if it is registered. For registration, proof of insurance and ownership and a valid MOT inspection are required. The car only gets a licence plate with seals when it is registered. The licence plate is issued by the municipality where you live. That's why our cars usually change licence plates when they are sold and the buyer lives somewhere else.
Whoever sells a car here either deregisters it before the sale or the buyer must agree to immediately re-register the car in his own name. The registration plates are cancelled during deregistration, i.e. the seals are removed. A deregistered car is not allowed to participate in road traffic.
You can therefore buy the car even if it is not registered and no longer has valid licence plates. You do not need a TÜV certificate. However, make sure that the seller is really the owner of the car.
The seller must of course be the owner. For registered vehicles in Germany, we always prove this by means of the vehicle registration document, which today is the EU registration certificate Part II (1 page DINA4 format). In parallel, the owner has the vehicle registration document, which is the EU registration certificate Part I (210 mm × 105 mm, folded twice to DIN A7). In the case of deregistered vehicles, there are usually only invalidated certificates or a sales contract, etc.
The vehicle only has a registration number if it is registered. For registration, proof of insurance and ownership and a valid MOT inspection are required. The car only gets a licence plate with seals when it is registered. The licence plate is issued by the municipality where you live. That's why our cars usually change licence plates when they are sold and the buyer lives somewhere else.
Whoever sells a car here either deregisters it before the sale or the buyer must agree to immediately re-register the car in his own name. The registration plates are cancelled during deregistration, i.e. the seals are removed. A deregistered car is not allowed to participate in road traffic.
You can therefore buy the car even if it is not registered and no longer has valid licence plates. You do not need a TÜV certificate. However, make sure that the seller is really the owner of the car.
Granturadriver said:
The car does not have to have an MOT when you buy it.
The seller must of course be the owner. For registered vehicles in Germany, we always prove this by means of the vehicle registration document, which today is the EU registration certificate Part II (1 page DINA4 format). In parallel, the owner has the vehicle registration document, which is the EU registration certificate Part I (210 mm × 105 mm, folded twice to DIN A7). In the case of deregistered vehicles, there are usually only invalidated certificates or a sales contract, etc.
The vehicle only has a registration number if it is registered. For registration, proof of insurance and ownership and a valid MOT inspection are required. The car only gets a licence plate with seals when it is registered. The licence plate is issued by the municipality where you live. That's why our cars usually change licence plates when they are sold and the buyer lives somewhere else.
Whoever sells a car here either deregisters it before the sale or the buyer must agree to immediately re-register the car in his own name. The registration plates are cancelled during deregistration, i.e. the seals are removed. A deregistered car is not allowed to participate in road traffic.
You can therefore buy the car even if it is not registered and no longer has valid licence plates. You do not need a TÜV certificate. However, make sure that the seller is really the owner of the car.
Great information, very thorough - thank you. Is the process of transferring ownership one that's quite simply done in a municipal office or is it done another way? I want to understand how much time I need to allow for the paperwork, basically.The seller must of course be the owner. For registered vehicles in Germany, we always prove this by means of the vehicle registration document, which today is the EU registration certificate Part II (1 page DINA4 format). In parallel, the owner has the vehicle registration document, which is the EU registration certificate Part I (210 mm × 105 mm, folded twice to DIN A7). In the case of deregistered vehicles, there are usually only invalidated certificates or a sales contract, etc.
The vehicle only has a registration number if it is registered. For registration, proof of insurance and ownership and a valid MOT inspection are required. The car only gets a licence plate with seals when it is registered. The licence plate is issued by the municipality where you live. That's why our cars usually change licence plates when they are sold and the buyer lives somewhere else.
Whoever sells a car here either deregisters it before the sale or the buyer must agree to immediately re-register the car in his own name. The registration plates are cancelled during deregistration, i.e. the seals are removed. A deregistered car is not allowed to participate in road traffic.
You can therefore buy the car even if it is not registered and no longer has valid licence plates. You do not need a TÜV certificate. However, make sure that the seller is really the owner of the car.
To change the owner is very simple. In fact, it is enough to hand over the car, papers and keys. So, does not take longer than a cup of coffee.
However, since the registration office in Germany often asks for proof of ownership (at least for imported cars), it makes sense to have a written purchase contract.
However, since the registration office in Germany often asks for proof of ownership (at least for imported cars), it makes sense to have a written purchase contract.
Granturadriver said:
To change the owner is very simple. In fact, it is enough to hand over the car, papers and keys. So, does not take longer than a cup of coffee.
However, since the registration office in Germany often asks for proof of ownership (at least for imported cars), it makes sense to have a written purchase contract.
Thanks for this. I wouldn't be registering it in Germany, simply putting it straight on a trailer and taking it back to the UK. So I guess the papers, sale contract, receipt, etc is enough? No need to visit any offices. Would it be a good idea to have a photo of the seller's driver's license?However, since the registration office in Germany often asks for proof of ownership (at least for imported cars), it makes sense to have a written purchase contract.
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