Info about importing new cars

**ariddell** · 6th July 2008, 11:14 AM

I've been through the personal import process myself too when i brought the TVR in and as mentioned even this is far from easy.

Had to supply a mountain of supporting evidence, including details for any time out of the UK on holiday etc even to show i had been continuously using the vehicle personally for at least the 12mths. As such i would fear any plans to get someone else to drive the vehicle, family to run it etc would be completely out the window if you couldn't prove you were in the UK yourself and personally driving the car for that time.

It only becomes easier when the vehicle was made prior to 1st Jan 1989 as these can be brought in with a much looser set of requirements.

There is also another option called the "Specialist and Enthusiast vehicle scheme" where you can apply for a particular vehicle to be added to the SEVS list should the manufacturer not be bringing it in. This is likely your best bet but from what i gather you need to get a SEVS authorised workshop to become authorised testers for that particular type of vehicle and they basically need to go through a slightly cut down version of what LR would have to do to get compliance to sell the vehicle themselves.

As such although it's do-able it's only really economically viable if there is a good market for selling a lot of vehicles of that exact type/model.

This is how a lot of places are bringing in Skylines etc, they get them on SEVS and it's worth there while doing the testing as they can sell loads of them.

Hope this helps.

Al

**Reads90** · 6th July 2008, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by dullbird

dont you have family in t he uk or else where that could keep it and put a few miles on it for yeh??...

i guess you would actually need to leave the country to buy one though..

people have holiday homes why cant we have holiday cars

..

The problem with this is you have to have lived with the car for 12 months. When i imported the 90 we had to photocopy every page of our passport and send it off to prove we had been in the same country as the car for 12 months .

Surely you must have done this when you imported your 90

**Psimpson7** · 6th July 2008, 06:41 PM

Ali's Right. I had to do the same..... Every page. You also have to declare that you havent been away from the car, and I guess if your decleration doesnt tie up with your passport you're in trouble!!

**Sleepy** · 6th July 2008, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by DirtyDawg

Since we can't get the new Def90.....

I wouldn't be too definite about that. I have twice been given the wink/nod by LR people. Maybe LRA are waiting til after the SVX. If enough of us ask.....

I take it your after a new one?

**Reads90** · 6th July 2008, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Sleepy

I wouldn't be too definite about that. I have twice been given the wink/nod by LR people. Maybe LRA are waiting til after the SVX. If enough of us ask.....

I take it your after a new one?

Ok LRA was sort of asked to sell the 90 so they did from about 2003 But the sales of new cars were very disapointing so in 2005 they stopped importing them.

Do you really think they will start again you have got to be joking

90's are very poplular here but not at $55,000. For up to £30,000 then may be . but no call for a 2 seater car with no boot and not much room in it for $55,000
Pure and basic economics

**dullbird** · 6th July 2008, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Reads90

The problem with this is you have to have lived with the car for 12 months. When i imported the 90 we had to photocopy every page of our passport and send it off to prove we had been in the same country as the car for 12 months .

Surely you must have done this when you imported your 90

mmm ok i guess the sarcasim/idealistic didn't really shine through on that part of the post

...i was trying to be a little more realistic on the comments below the holiday home holiday car line

yes i think we did do something along those lines with the passport cant remember now...i dont remember the importing being particualy hard but then we had owned the car for 5 years

......

**Bigbjorn** · 6th July 2008, 08:12 PM

The key words in the rules applying to personal imports of late model cars are "own and use" and the authorities mean this to be that you must own and use the vehicle on a regular basis for the specific period of the legislation whilst you yourself are overseas. You MUST have DOTARS permission to import THAT vehicle or you are in big trouble if you import wthout permission and if you can even find a shipping company who will ship it without DOTARS permission.

The other thing is do not even think about being half-smart and trying to touch Customs on valuation. They are not stupid, are dealing with crooks and dudders on a daily basis and have access to an enormous data base. They are in the position of strength and you will not get the car off the wharf if they think anything is not kosher. You can even have it seized and sold at auction or shredded on their say-so, and face fines and/or imprisonment.

**dullbird** · 6th July 2008, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

The key words in the rules applying to personal imports of late model cars are "own and use" and the authorities mean this to be that you must own and use the vehicle on a regular basis for the specific period of the legislation whilst you yourself are overseas.

You MUST have DOTARS permission to import THAT vehicle or you are in big trouble if you import wthout permission and if you can even find a shipping company who will ship it without DOTARS permission.

The other thing is do not even think about being half-smart and trying to touch Customs on valuation. They are not stupid, are dealing with crooks and dudders on a daily basis and have access to an enormous data base. They are in the position of strength and you will not get the car off the wharf if they think anything is not kosher. You can even have it seized and sold at auction or shredded on their say-so, and face fines and/or imprisonment.

if i remember rightly if you were to turn up without permision then the car gets turned around and sent back at your cost!!!

**Reads90** · 6th July 2008, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by dullbird

if i remember rightly if you were to turn up without permision then the car gets turned around and sent back at your cost!!!

mmm customs told me they would crush them on the dock side

**Sleepy** · 6th July 2008, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Reads90

you have got to be joking

Nah just a rumour mate, you don't have to believe it - just passing on what I have heard. I am not convinced they wouldn't sell a few!

P.S. Mine has heaps of "boot space" - Just not a lot of passenger space

.

Thread: Info about importing new cars

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