Thread: uk imported vehicle

You have to own the vehicle in the UK for at least a year before shipping. Otherwise the import duties will negate any cost saving. You also need to convert the speedo, and have a vehicle inspection to meet aus standards. There are a bunch of other costs involved, which I can't remember off hand.

We used to import cars from Japan under the 15 year rule, before it was swiftly changed to the 30 yr rule which it sits at now. Based on the age of the vehicle and requirements to get them into the country and registered.
I bought in a few Nissan R32 GTR's, 89 to 91 models that were 15 years old. 4 grand a pop import tax and about 1500 to get them on the road. They were still 20 grand cheaper than a local model.

You can import vehicles and get them complied via SEVS (if they are in the database), but adding the ridiculous import tax and cost to get it registered including changing some items to meet ADR it really isn't worth it.

The really cheap and efficient way, and you can get past most of the registration requirements is by owning a car over there for a year and bringing it in as your Personal import. I know a few guys that will keep cars stored with family and bring them over in a years time, you can save 10's of thousands of dollars.

Originally Posted by rb30gtr

I know a few guys that will keep cars stored with family and bring them over in a years time, you can save 10's of thousands of dollars.

This isn't allowed I believe. Also I am not convinced it would work. When I brought mine over under the scheme I had to prove I was in the country with the car, and that it was legally in use for the full 12 months prior.

Photocopies of every page of my passport for instance, along with insurance documents etc on the car.

Simply buying a car and storing it for 12 months will not meet the requirements.

As mentioned, you also have to prove residence and vehicle use during the 12 months - so no you cannot buy the vehicle and park it up.

Garry

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

This isn't allowed I believe. Also I am not convinced it would work. When I brought mine over under the scheme I had to prove I was in the country with the car, and that it was legally in use for the full 12 months prior.

Photocopies of every page of my passport for instance, along with insurance documents etc on the car.

Simply buying a car and storing it for 12 months will not meet the requirements.

You are right. But if your Dad lives in the UK and is bringing a car back and you happen to be the driver, it seems to work fine.

Only if Daddy is emigrating.

Originally Posted by garrycol

Only if Daddy is emigrating.

Or travelling for work.

Originally Posted by rb30gtr

The really cheap and efficient way, and you can get past most of the registration requirements is by owning a car over there for a year and bringing it in as your Personal import. I know a few guys that will keep cars stored with family and bring them over in a years time, you can save 10's of thousands of dollars.

I looked at doing this while I was in the UK for a few years. The FX was closer to 45p to the dollar and could only make it work if I exported the vehicle within one year of buying it new to avoid the VAT and have it land in AU when it was older than one year (I think I've got that right) which ment if fell into a lower import category. Even then it was marginal and not worth the effort to have a non AU delivery vehicle with it's issues, I.e. Wrong sat. Nav. ADR speedometer in miles etc.

If it was for a vehicle I couldn't get here and wanted I might have gone down that road but wasn't worth the hassle.