Importing an XK8 into the UK

[Myobb]

With the US $ so weak purchasing an XK8 Convertible in the US is looking increasingly attractive even when you add transport costs & insurance (circa $1200 to $1600 depending on point of departure)plus import duty of 10% plus 17& 1/2 Vat on top of all of the preceeding. However I am alarmed about the possible cost of SVA Conversion & Testing which can be excessive albeit (that perhaps) only the indicators & lights have to be changed.Does anybody have any experiance of this & or could recommend an appropriate company to carry out the work?

[RickW]

Hi, I've just recently been through this as I have just moved back to the UK after living there. My car was just over 10 years old so didn't need an SVA, but there are plenty of companies out there that can do this and it isn't that expensive. The expense comes with the conversion, however, with the XK8 the rear lights are the same as the UK so no problem there. I also found that my headlights gave a flat beam, not sure if this is the same with all XK8's but there was no need to change them for the MOT, so no problem there. If you go for a younger car then you will have to put side indicator repeaters on for the SVA which shouldn't be that bad or expensive to do.

Shipping insurance is very reasonable and depends how you ship it. I used Centor Insurance and prices are as follows and is dependent on the value of the car: Container Service 0.85%, RO-RO Service 0.65% and Air 0.55%. Make sure you use the UK value of the car.

Another thing you should be aware of is Car Sales Tax in the state of purchase, check this out with the relevant DMV as this can be upto approx 8% on top of the purchase price. Again this depends on how you buy the car. In some states if buying privately this is zero, but would be payable if purchased from a dealer unless you intend to have the car trailered to the port of exit.

I also reccommend getting a car check done on any car you wish to buy. This can be done on-line and will give you the complete history of the car.

The car i purchased had spent it's life in Southern California and due to this it is in very very good condition without a speck of rust anywhere. So even though slightly more expensive to ship from LA I think it would be worth buying from this area and having a good holiday at the same time.

Anyway I hope this helps

Rick