When you've settled on the car you want, if it's from within the European Union (EU), you've made life as easy as it gets with importing a car.
Follow these pointers for an easy life:
- You will have to register the car as quickly as possible once it arrives in the UK it must only have reasonable delivery mileage if it's new
- If you're buying new from a franchised dealer, they should be able to arrange transit number plates, which allow you to drive the car into the UK to get it registered
- Don't think you can then flout every speed camera in town; the police take a dim view of driving on transit plates even when you're waiting for the proper UK plate
- Importing a used car is also straightforward, though you should be aware that cars up to six months old can be classified as new
- As soon as your new car touches tyres in the UK, Customs and Excise will want their slice. You will need to complete form VAT 415 if the car is less than six months old or has travelled less than 3,750 miles (6,000km). If the car is over the mileage or age limits you'll need to put pen to form VAT 414. Simple, huh?
- For new cars, you will need to present a Type Approval certificate from the vehicle supplier or manufacturer. This is also known as a Certificate of Conformity, and shows the car is built to European standards of safety and use. All new cars sold within the EU should have this, so it is very unlikely to be a problem.
