Anyone know about buying a used car from Italy.............?
Discussion
This theme has been done to bits on this site but it is a bit more complicated than that - but it just takes time as it is an administrative hassle. If the car comes from a EU country (and Italy is still a member of the EU) then there are no import duties to be paid. However, it still has to comply with UK specs i.e. headlights, fog lights and speedo need to be adjusted permanently for driving in the UK. Go to the dvla homepage and download a brochure "How to import a car into the UK" and it will explain the procedure. It all takes about 1-2 months.
The only reason I'm saying Italy is there are more of the cars I'm thinking of which is a 512 TR. In this country they have doubled in price within the last 4 years. In Europe they're still fetching 50ish. They're are some good cars in France or Germany so that maybe worth a look. I really don't mind lhd as I think it adds to the experience and had an integrale some years back which i got used to very quickly. If I have a bit of a headache sorting out paperwork and other stuff i really don't mind if i get a car for half the money than if i were to buy one in the UK.
simonigrale said:
The only reason I'm saying Italy is there are more of the cars I'm thinking of which is a 512 TR. In this country they have doubled in price within the last 4 years. In Europe they're still fetching 50ish. They're are some good cars in France or Germany so that maybe worth a look. I really don't mind lhd as I think it adds to the experience and had an integrale some years back which i got used to very quickly. If I have a bit of a headache sorting out paperwork and other stuff i really don't mind if i get a car for half the money than if i were to buy one in the UK.
...plus, the way the Euro is going, you might get a nice deal 
There's no need of notary act as long as you can drive the car back on temporary UK plate. Plus the plate does not belong to the driver but to the state and it's permanetly connected to the car (ie you don't have personalized or private plate) and the notary act is involved only to take note of the change of ownership of the car for the MOT.
But as long as you cancel the car from the italian MOT list, then give back the plates, there's no need of notary.
Regarding car frauds, a few years ago a new law has been enforced and now things like de-mileaged tachos are a penal fraud which involves detention up to ten years, hence a sharp decrease in car frauds. I would consider this market as safe as any other EU one.
In short with just the CoC I think you can close the deal.
Enrico
But as long as you cancel the car from the italian MOT list, then give back the plates, there's no need of notary.
Regarding car frauds, a few years ago a new law has been enforced and now things like de-mileaged tachos are a penal fraud which involves detention up to ten years, hence a sharp decrease in car frauds. I would consider this market as safe as any other EU one.
In short with just the CoC I think you can close the deal.
Enrico
I seem to recall that cars having done less than 6000kms are subject to VAT, as they're still considered "new".
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/ch...
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/ch...
I'm only really in early stages yet but can't help thinking they look good value at 50k. A 512 tr is really the only car I want but not for 100k in the UK. Will probably end up with another 348 though as I'm going off the 355 idea. Its definetly worth a look and thank you all for the advice.
andysv said:
a good friend imports cars from everywere but is very wary of italy due to the apparent car fraud he says he wouldn't consider buying there any more, i must add this came up when i spotted a cheap lambo, maybe regular cars are not a problem.
Indeed, even people on eBay selling smaller items will not ship to Kenya or Italy...in fact I think it is probably safer buying from Kenya. Remember that defrauding somebody in Italy is a matter of pride.
kryten22uk said:
I seem to recall that cars having done less than 6000kms are subject to VAT, as they're still considered "new".
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/ch...
That means VAT on nearly all Ferrari thenhttp://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/ch...
I have done this probably 10 times from in europe to cz.
Get the dealer to de-register the car on your behalf, if you are driving it get export plates ( come with 3rd party only insurance)
If the car is in a business name you can buy net and reclaim the VAT, probably not in the UK because you are communist and probably have a limit on the VAT you can claim for the car. If it is gross ( the VAT has been paid on a private sale you cannot reclaim)
Once you get the car in the UK you need an MOT and to register it via DVLC. That would be about it I guess.
Get the dealer to de-register the car on your behalf, if you are driving it get export plates ( come with 3rd party only insurance)
If the car is in a business name you can buy net and reclaim the VAT, probably not in the UK because you are communist and probably have a limit on the VAT you can claim for the car. If it is gross ( the VAT has been paid on a private sale you cannot reclaim)
Once you get the car in the UK you need an MOT and to register it via DVLC. That would be about it I guess.
AJSG said:
andysv said:
a good friend imports cars from everywere but is very wary of italy due to the apparent car fraud he says he wouldn't consider buying there any more, i must add this came up when i spotted a cheap lambo, maybe regular cars are not a problem.
Indeed, even people on eBay selling smaller items will not ship to Kenya or Italy...in fact I think it is probably safer buying from Kenya. Remember that defrauding somebody in Italy is a matter of pride.
May I dare to ask why do you have such an high opinion?
Just a hint: if you've never been to Italy (and given the idea I think not), visit the country and have a look: we do have electricity, water in our houses and not everybody puts grease on hairs.
Funnily enough one of my favourite programs is called Cops, criminals and cars and it's an intresting portrait of the very innocent criminal brigade....roll of drums....in the UK!
Ohh Lord how I wish that people respect your nation without always referring to stereotypes.....
Enrico
Enricogto said:
I really must compliment with you, a really mature and intelligent comment.
May I dare to ask why do you have such an high opinion?
Just a hint: if you've never been to Italy (and given the idea I think not), visit the country and have a look: we do have electricity, water in our houses and not everybody puts grease on hairs.
Funnily enough one of my favourite programs is called Cops, criminals and cars and it's an intresting portrait of the very innocent criminal brigade....roll of drums....in the UK!
Ohh Lord how I wish that people respect your nation without always referring to stereotypes.....
Enrico
Oh perlease.May I dare to ask why do you have such an high opinion?
Just a hint: if you've never been to Italy (and given the idea I think not), visit the country and have a look: we do have electricity, water in our houses and not everybody puts grease on hairs.
Funnily enough one of my favourite programs is called Cops, criminals and cars and it's an intresting portrait of the very innocent criminal brigade....roll of drums....in the UK!
Ohh Lord how I wish that people respect your nation without always referring to stereotypes.....
Enrico
Here's something for you to digest. I had no opinion on Italians.
However at work I've merged with an Italian desk. I've been talking to a 20 something Italian girl who lives in London at sits over from me. On our floor we have a fridge to put lunches/drinks in etc.
She was AGHAST at the fact. I quizzed her why? Sheh replied that it is an art in Italy to screw people over. All the food would be pinched in quick order...
So I concur with the above.
Not you.
I love Italian food, clothes, cars, bikes, furniture, countryside...I could carry on. I get on very well with some Italian colleagues that work here in Switzerland. However, it is a generally accepted that corruption andtax avoidance in Italy is much more widespread than in the UK.
Just recently there was an article in the newspaper about how Italian tax inspectors had turned up on mass at an Italian ski resort (can't recall the name unfortunately). They were checking up VAT payments....strangely the day after they arrived the daily turnover in the shops and restaurants in th town went up 300%!
I am not tarring all Italians with the same brush and I'm sure it would be possible to buy from Italy without problems. However, I think the rules there (social rather than legal) are different and I for one would not be confident buying from Italy, at least without the involvement of an Italian friend.
Just recently there was an article in the newspaper about how Italian tax inspectors had turned up on mass at an Italian ski resort (can't recall the name unfortunately). They were checking up VAT payments....strangely the day after they arrived the daily turnover in the shops and restaurants in th town went up 300%!
I am not tarring all Italians with the same brush and I'm sure it would be possible to buy from Italy without problems. However, I think the rules there (social rather than legal) are different and I for one would not be confident buying from Italy, at least without the involvement of an Italian friend.
AJSG said:
Indeed, even people on eBay selling smaller items will not ship to Kenya or Italy...in fact I think it is probably safer buying from Kenya.
Remember that defrauding somebody in Italy is a matter of pride.
I think a degree of jelousy here?Remember that defrauding somebody in Italy is a matter of pride.
We all know god is Italian,( although Scotland is his chosen country etc); that Italian men can make a woman pregnant by just looking at her the wrong way ( hence why they all wear shades, even to bed) and that they have the best food wine and well anything you can eat!
Why not just admit it?
Paulo
xx
Schnellmann said:
I love Italian food, clothes, cars, bikes, furniture, countryside...I could carry on. I get on very well with some Italian colleagues that work here in Switzerland. However, it is a generally accepted that corruption andtax avoidance in Italy is much more widespread than in the UK.
Just recently there was an article in the newspaper about how Italian tax inspectors had turned up on mass at an Italian ski resort (can't recall the name unfortunately). They were checking up VAT payments....strangely the day after they arrived the daily turnover in the shops and restaurants in th town went up 300%!
I am not tarring all Italians with the same brush and I'm sure it would be possible to buy from Italy without problems. However, I think the rules there (social rather than legal) are different and I for one would not be confident buying from Italy, at least without the involvement of an Italian friend.
Just quickly to answer you all...Just recently there was an article in the newspaper about how Italian tax inspectors had turned up on mass at an Italian ski resort (can't recall the name unfortunately). They were checking up VAT payments....strangely the day after they arrived the daily turnover in the shops and restaurants in th town went up 300%!
I am not tarring all Italians with the same brush and I'm sure it would be possible to buy from Italy without problems. However, I think the rules there (social rather than legal) are different and I for one would not be confident buying from Italy, at least without the involvement of an Italian friend.
The holiday resort was Cortina d'Ampezzo, and just to update because many newspapers deliberately ignored the follow up, anyway later after the news appeared the IRS has been forced to apologize because, just to appear on the news headline, they reported one case (the 300% one) as the norm when it was a single case.
No one is denying corruption and tax avoidance, it's a different topic the fact that you pay 50% of your income in taxes and receive no services in exchange.
As for the girl surprised for the common fridge....
Who the hell are you working with???? Here (in Italy, Milan) it's perfectly normal, we do have one and no one steals other people's food.Anyway, back to topic, Simonigrale, given that a lot of people here suggest to buy a car in Italy only if you have a trusted person on site, here I am (You'll discover that Italians are either stealers or very helpful people)!
Sorry for the rant guys!
Enrico
paulqv said:
AJSG said:
Indeed, even people on eBay selling smaller items will not ship to Kenya or Italy...in fact I think it is probably safer buying from Kenya.
Remember that defrauding somebody in Italy is a matter of pride.
I think a degree of jelousy here?Remember that defrauding somebody in Italy is a matter of pride.
We all know god is Italian,( although Scotland is his chosen country etc); that Italian men can make a woman pregnant by just looking at her the wrong way ( hence why they all wear shades, even to bed) and that they have the best food wine and well anything you can eat!
Why not just admit it?
Paulo
xx
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