Importing a Classic Question

[rocco1504]

Hi Everyone

 

It's been a while since I've been here, but I've got a question that hopefully someone here may have had experience of.

 

I've seen a rather nice Car that's been imported from Malta, but it's still on Maltese plates, it has a UK MOT, but has not been registered yet from what I can make out.

What I really need to know, is what would I be letting myself in for were I to buy it ?, and what will it cost me to get it UK legal ?, and the kind of questions I should be asking ?.

Sorry to sound so Dumb, but I've never had any dealings with importing anything, let alone Cars.

 

Any sensible advice would be most appreciated.

[Alexg]

Its not a blue Fiat 131 by chance is it?

[rocco1504]

Give the Man a CEEGAR !!

 

Yes that was the item, you seem to say that with a knowing turn of phrase.

[Alexg]

Lucky guess - Its on ebay

 

Try here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Bu ... DG_4022583

[Albert Ross]

Hmmm. It looked to be full of wob from the pictures..... incorrect colour respray too IIRC.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Yeah it looks suspect, would be fine if it was cheap, but it isn't.

[Alexg]

To be fair though, if you want one you're hardly spoilt for choice... Its worth a look me thinks. The fact that its MOTed is a massive plus

 

 

Edit - the seller sounds like a bit of a berk though

DID YOU KNOW THAT CLASSIC CARS ARE A BETTER INVESTMENT THAN PROPERTY, STOCKS AND SHARES OR EVEN GOLD!!!

[rocco1504]

Yeah, I know he's laid it on a bit, but I need a daily at the moment, and preferably something I'm not going to lose money on, plus a bit of RWD fun factor, and this was one of the options, but to be fair I'm surprised that it's been on there so long.

I think I'll arrange for a look see and take a magnet just to be sure, he did tell me that he had one buyer back out already, but that was unseen, plus I'm not sure it was the seller who wrote that add for the auction.

[peter9000uk]

Make sure the import duty & VAT have been paid and that he can provide documentary proof otherwise you will be liable

[Mr_Bo11ox]

As Malta is in the EU there should be no duties payable. Really you just need a Maltese equivalent of the logbook, or alternatively some sort of proof of ownership and a document from Fiat confirming the EU or UK type approval number. If you take that to the DVLA office with some insurance, an MOT, their 'application for first reg of a vehicle' form and some money for a tax disc you should be in business.

 

I would be extremely wary of that Fiat though, it looks like its had the very cheapest of bright blue blow-over paint jobs and a can of crummy black paint on the bumpers. The underbonnet is a completely different colour. Plus the sellers BS levels and his eagerness to tell you that he's got another buyer on the line, mixed in with the fact that its been on eBay for suspiciously strong money three times over, all shout AVOID to me.

[rocco1504]

Hi Mr B

 

I have to say that those kind of thoughts have been going through my mind, and as you say, it seems to be going around too many times, I always get very suspicious when stuff seems to sell then pops up a week later with a lower Buy It Now and some different blurb.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the other stuff though, I can't always tell stuff from pics.