Importing a car from Europe with no paperwork
Discussion
Like to ask for some advise please. There is a Japanese imported car for sale in Denmark which is competitively priced however it is missing any form of paperwork. I'm not so worried about the service history etc but concerned if its a car that was stolen in Japan before being exported. Aside from doing a vin check there isn't much else that I can do remotely to my knowledge, and even then if it was a stolen car, they could have covered any trace of that being the case.
It's currently used as a track car and has had 0 use on the road.
How would I bring it into the UK without any paperwork and become the owner (assume MOT then apply for a V5, but missing any deregistration documents).
Thanks for your time
It's currently used as a track car and has had 0 use on the road.
How would I bring it into the UK without any paperwork and become the owner (assume MOT then apply for a V5, but missing any deregistration documents).
Thanks for your time
I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, even if it's a rare motor. Having no paperwork on any car for sale just rings alarm bells for me. Just find another example on Autoscout24 or Reezocar or try a few of the UK JDM importers. At the very least you need to know that all import taxes have been paid otherwise it will get very expensive . There is a certificate of conformity which the DVLA would want see if you intended to make it road legal. I have no idea how this works if the car has been heavily modified but for most regular imports it's easy enough to get and doesn't apply to older cars(can't remember the exact date). What car is it?
That's my initial thoughts too, but its been for sale for a while now and I thought as it's very cheap let me ask the wider audience on here who may have more experience with this type of query. Too much time in lockdown has the mind wondering.
It's an R33 GTR, it has a few parts that I'd like from it and the current owner isn't willing to take them off for me, its a complete sale or nothing. Guess i'll keep trying to have the parts off him every few weeks
It's an R33 GTR, it has a few parts that I'd like from it and the current owner isn't willing to take them off for me, its a complete sale or nothing. Guess i'll keep trying to have the parts off him every few weeks
It was some years ago I lived in Denmark but I'd be surprised if they have changed their incredibly hard registration fees and paperwork on imported cars. Danes paid then around 3 times the value of a car to get the Danish plate.
What I am getting at here is a car in Denmark with no papers is a car that is hiding from the authorities and that is a very serious offence.
It simply is not possible to have a car there that does not have paper on it - even if it is just the VAT and duty to import it as spares. What some do is get a non Dane to drive a foreign car in, then yes, just use it on private land or for spares. I have a gut feeling he is doing this as he knows if you go to the authorities there he is in BIG trouble, Danes do not take kindly to tax avoidance.
The entire Danish system is there to stop Danes importing cars, it is too difficult and expensive to do otherwise. I just stored my Kawasaki as they wanted £2000 tax to change the plates but a Danish plated one was £1300.
I'd advise extreme caution.
EDIT: I am presuming it does not have Danish plates on it?
What I am getting at here is a car in Denmark with no papers is a car that is hiding from the authorities and that is a very serious offence.
It simply is not possible to have a car there that does not have paper on it - even if it is just the VAT and duty to import it as spares. What some do is get a non Dane to drive a foreign car in, then yes, just use it on private land or for spares. I have a gut feeling he is doing this as he knows if you go to the authorities there he is in BIG trouble, Danes do not take kindly to tax avoidance.
The entire Danish system is there to stop Danes importing cars, it is too difficult and expensive to do otherwise. I just stored my Kawasaki as they wanted £2000 tax to change the plates but a Danish plated one was £1300.
I'd advise extreme caution.
EDIT: I am presuming it does not have Danish plates on it?
Very naive question, as I know nowt about JDM/imports etc. - would it make any difference if the thing you bought was 'motor vehicle parts', rather than calling it a 'car', which has other connotations.
This assumes that you intend to break it for spares anyway (as you said you wanted some parts from it), and not return it to the road.
This assumes that you intend to break it for spares anyway (as you said you wanted some parts from it), and not return it to the road.
Pure Japanese Domestic Market can be very expensive to convert to UK standard.
Seat belts have to have the E number on them, plastic light lenses have to be e marked.
Some of the clubs had parts that could be borrowed to pass the examination. But it was still a lot of work changing everything over.
Seat belts have to have the E number on them, plastic light lenses have to be e marked.
Some of the clubs had parts that could be borrowed to pass the examination. But it was still a lot of work changing everything over.
littleredrooster said:
Very naive question, as I know nowt about JDM/imports etc. - would it make any difference if the thing you bought was 'motor vehicle parts', rather than calling it a 'car', which has other connotations.
This assumes that you intend to break it for spares anyway (as you said you wanted some parts from it), and not return it to the road.
Potentially, but there is always the risk that a car with no paperwork could mean it was stolen from Japan in the first place. I wouldn't want to run the risk of paying for a car with no form of paperwork and then finding out it was stolen and loosing the car.This assumes that you intend to break it for spares anyway (as you said you wanted some parts from it), and not return it to the road.
A recent youtube video showed the front end panels of a stolen Civic Type R EK9 turn up for sale in the US, with the same dealer apparently having other cars/parts that were taken from their owners.
EmilA said:
It's an R33 GTR, it has a few parts that I'd like from it and the current owner isn't willing to take them off for me, its a complete sale or nothing. Guess i'll keep trying to have the parts off him every few weeks
R33 GTRs are 10 a penny, and parts are readily available, wouldnt it be much more cost effective to just search for rare parts in Japan? Sites like Croober and Amayama for example? Rather than go to the hassle of importing a car?leyorkie said:
Pure Japanese Domestic Market can be very expensive to convert to UK standard.
Seat belts have to have the E number on them, plastic light lenses have to be e marked.
Some of the clubs had parts that could be borrowed to pass the examination. But it was still a lot of work changing everything over.
I've had countless imports, never had to do anything like that.Seat belts have to have the E number on them, plastic light lenses have to be e marked.
Some of the clubs had parts that could be borrowed to pass the examination. But it was still a lot of work changing everything over.
Re cars stolen in Japan, I've had experience of this personally on 2 seperate occasions. Both Aristo's, both had doctored VIN numbers and a sticker on the suspension turret with a phone and case number.
Called the number and it was Essex Police, a batch of cars had been stolen and shipped (this was late 2000's) Long story short the VIN numbers were re-stamped, V5's issued and the cars released for sale.
Called the number and it was Essex Police, a batch of cars had been stolen and shipped (this was late 2000's) Long story short the VIN numbers were re-stamped, V5's issued and the cars released for sale.
Yup my friend use to own a car that was stolen from Japan, same situation where a new VIN and a plaque of some sort confirming it was stolen but can now legally be owned in the UK. He brought it like but there was a thread on the gtr forum a few years ago when that story unfolded
Regarding the parts, it's more so the discontinued parts that sell for 4 figures that I want, as it has a few of them fitted. I already have an R33 GTR that I am restoring and these would be nice spares to keep or sell if I wish too.
I'll a thread on here eventually, but anyone interested you can find it on Instagram under GTR33N
Regarding the parts, it's more so the discontinued parts that sell for 4 figures that I want, as it has a few of them fitted. I already have an R33 GTR that I am restoring and these would be nice spares to keep or sell if I wish too.
I'll a thread on here eventually, but anyone interested you can find it on Instagram under GTR33N
EmilA said:
Regarding the parts, it's more so the discontinued parts that sell for 4 figures that I want, as it has a few of them fitted. I already have an R33 GTR that I am restoring and these would be nice spares to keep or sell if I wish too.
I'll a thread on here eventually, but anyone interested you can find it on Instagram under GTR33N
Even still its gotta be cheaper to track parts down than buy a car?I'll a thread on here eventually, but anyone interested you can find it on Instagram under GTR33N
I wouldn't be concerned particularly that it was stolen (Quentin Wilson was made a proper Charlie of there), but without the certificate of de-registration and translation, as well as the Danish equivalent of a customs C386 or C389 as was, proving that duties have been paid, you aren't going to be able to register it.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff