Buying from Germany

[Fastroad]

So I'm planning on buying a 325ix from Germany and plan on registering it in the UK.

What do I require from the seller to make the registration in the UK as simple as possible?

[daimlerman]

The seller's equivilant of our V5C will be very helpful.

You will still have to pay out for a VIC check and intitial UK registration and cope with an 'age related' plate,unless you have something more suitable on retension or buy a 'cherished' plate.

[Grrrmachine]

Bear in mind that if you plan on going there and driving it back, you need to go with the owner to their equivalent of a DVLA office to have the plates swapped to two-week export plates. These plates should include insurance cover for those two weeks, and will have their expiration date stamped on them:



Once the expiration expires the car needs to be off the road.

[Fastroad]

Bear in mind that if you plan on going there and driving it back, you need to go with the owner to their equivalent of a DVLA office to have the plates swapped to two-week export plates. These plates should include insurance cover for those two weeks, and will have their expiration date stamped on them:



Once the expiration expires the car needs to be off the road.

Thanks for the replies. I never knew about the two week export plate.

Would you happen to know if I need any of the previous TÃaV certificates or does that not matter to register in the UK?

[Fastroad]

The seller's equivilant of our V5C will be very helpful.

You will still have to pay out for a VIC check and intitial UK registration and cope with an 'age related' plate,unless you have something more suitable on retension or buy a 'cherished' plate.

The V5C equivalent is there to hand.

I have a dateless plate in mind for the car, so should be fine with the number plate

[daimlerman]

To register in the UK,you will need proof of insurance and an MoT certificate.

The insurance will be difficult and expensive,you will need to talk to a specialist broker,and find an MoT guy who understands that he is allowed to MoT a vehicle that is not yet registered in the UK!

Both VOSA and DVLA's websites contain most of the information,but you face an uphill battle!

The insurance difficulties centre around the point that the vehicle is not yet UK registered,but must be insured before it can be registered,MoT issues are similar but less costly.

[Fastroad]

Is the insurance issue the same under trade policies?

[Z3I]

Bear in mind that if you plan on going there and driving it back, you need to go with the owner to their equivalent of a DVLA office to have the plates swapped to two-week export plates. These plates should include insurance cover for those two weeks, and will have their expiration date stamped on them:



Once the expiration expires the car needs to be off the road.

Thanks for the replies. I never knew about the two week export plate.

Would you happen to know if I need any of the previous TÃaV certificates or does that not matter to register in the UK?

I'll ask my car dealer friends in Germany what the rules/costs are, and let you know. As far as I know those plates look like this, last only 5 days, and cost 80euros, but I'm not 100% sure on that. What area are you buying from?

As an aside I saw a Mercedes in London last year with these plates on , with a 2010 expiry date!

[daimlerman]

Is the insurance issue the same under trade policies?

No idea!

I'm basing my observations on registering an ex Froggie based E30 into the UK.

I had to stump up £700(I think,it was several years ago,now)to insure on the French plate,then cancel as soon as the MoT/VIC check was completed.
My local MoT man told me that he could not MoT until the thing was UK registered,took an email from VOSA to change his mind.

[Z3I]

Is the insurance issue the same under trade policies?

No idea!

I'm basing my observations on registering an ex Froggie based E30 into the UK.

I had to stump up £700(I think,it was several years ago,now)to insure on the French plate,then cancel as soon as the MoT/VIC check was completed.
My local MoT man told me that he could not MoT until the thing was UK registered,took an email from VOSA to change his mind.

They just MOT on the VIN number, which is then updated on a replacement MOT when the car gets a UK registration. They were just being awkward as usual!

[Grrrmachine]

The idea of the 5-day/2-week plate is that it includes the insurance. You can then drive the car directly to the UK and register it, using the VALID plates as proof of insurance.

The car has to have valid TUV to get the temporary plates.

In Germany the plates change every 2 years because they include the TUV stamp, and they're also registered to one owner. When you sell the car you swap the plates, so the current owner will not let you take those plates out of the country because they're his responsibility. If he sells the car to you he needs to take the plates off, so you can't drive the car back unless you have those temporary plates, or your own trade plates.

[daimlerman]

Is the insurance issue the same under trade policies?

No idea!

I'm basing my observations on registering an ex Froggie based E30 into the UK.

I had to stump up £700(I think,it was several years ago,now)to insure on the French plate,then cancel as soon as the MoT/VIC check was completed.
My local MoT man told me that he could not MoT until the thing was UK registered,took an email from VOSA to change his mind.

They just MOT on the VIN number, which is then updated on a replacement MOT when the car gets a UK registration. They were just being awkward as usual!

That's correct!

My case was not helped by not being able to supply a V5C type document.

[daimlerman]

The idea of the 5-day/2-week plate is that it includes the insurance. You can then drive the car directly to the UK and register it, using the VALID plates as proof of insurance.

The car has to have valid TUV to get the temporary plates.

In Germany the plates change every 2 years because they include the TUV stamp, and they're also registered to one owner. When you sell the car you swap the plates, so the current owner will not let you take those plates out of the country because they're his responsibility. If he sells the car to you he needs to take the plates off, so you can't drive the car back unless you have those temporary plates, or your own trade plates.

Sounds very easy;
BUT,there's always a but,you still will need a UK MoT and UK-based insurance.

[pacerpete]

Most if not all UK motor trade insurance policies DO NOT cover cars on foreign plates unless driven with trade plates Unlike the good old days when you could nail any plate on to any LHD turd, get it MOT'd on the vin and drive on . Cameras, double yellows , speed limits etc were all of no concern
Similarly it is virtually impossible to get a private policy on a non UK registered turd.

This is all part of a clampdown undoubtably caused by the legions of often uninsured easties cruising around in their Passats/Audis .
Alas , as a result, decent non law abiding types like me have been penalised as well

[Z3I]

Alas , as a result, decent non law abiding types like me have been penalised as well

I had to read that a few times to fully understand you Pete!

I imported a TR6 from the US back in the early 90's, bolted a couple of old Florida plates I had on it, and hey presto, road legal!

[Fastroad]

Similarly it is virtually impossible to get a private policy on a non UK registered turd.

This is all part of a clampdown undoubtably caused by the legions of often uninsured easties cruising around in their Passats/Audis .
Alas , as a result, decent non law abiding types like me have been penalised as well

I totally agree, it looks like uninsured have caused us all a problem along with the false claiming fools that have caused our insurance to rise.

What happened to just putting it on the back of a trailer and taking it to DVLA to register, now would that not be a less complicated way?

[Fastroad]

I imported a TR6 from the US back in the early 90's, bolted a couple of old Florida plates I had on it, and hey presto, road legal!

That sounds the same as just slapping some UK plates on it and driving it around

[pacerpete]

Alas , as a result, decent non law abiding types like me have been penalised as well

I had to read that a few times to fully understand you Pete!

I imported a TR6 from the US back in the early 90's, bolted a couple of old Florida plates I had on it, and hey presto, road legal!

Trust you to do things properly , I.E use the cars correct original plates

I bought a very tidy ex Italy sterling silver 316i quattroporte for £40 five or six years ago. It was obviously LHD AND it had working LPG

The Italian plates had been sent back to Italy as required by law and the paperwork was distinctly lacking.
I rummaged through my back passage and hey presto, a nice pair of matching French plates !
A baby seat was put in the rear seat, a 'F' sticker and a French 'baby on board ' sticker were bought in Calais a load of French shrapnel put in the ashtray, a Paris street directory on the rear shelf and the conversion was complete . Giovanni was now Jean!

I got it MOT'd on the VIN and drove on like a foooking garlic munching executive cooont 100% legal-ish

Alas, several months after my latest 'congestionmeister' (congestion charge my 4rse ! ) was put into service, the insurance scummers dropped their trade plates only bombshell I have trade plates but that kind of defeats the purpose when trying to be invisible.

The car was very very tidy and I had done a timing belt and a service and I really did not want to frag it so I advertised it on Scumtree for £800 as a congestion charge exempt LPG'd much cheapness chariot ideal for an international man of mystery executive type with a busy jet set lifestyle

A Swampy type appeared who lived in a squat in Richmond and only drove foreign reg cars and was not too bothered about the minor technicalities of registration papers and insurance etc as he fought the system, man I relieved him of £750 and waved the turd goodbye

[daimlerman]

Alas , as a result, decent non law abiding types like me have been penalised as well

I had to read that a few times to fully understand you Pete!

I imported a TR6 from the US back in the early 90's, bolted a couple of old Florida plates I had on it, and hey presto, road legal!

Trust you to do things properly , I.E use the cars correct original plates

I bought a very tidy ex Italy sterling silver 316i quattroporte for £40 five or six years ago. It was obviously LHD AND it had working LPG

The Italian plates had been sent back to Italy as required by law and the paperwork was distinctly lacking.
I rummaged through my back passage and hey presto, a nice pair of matching French plates !
A baby seat was put in the rear seat, a 'F' sticker and a French 'baby on board ' sticker were bought in Calais a load of French shrapnel put in the ashtray, a Paris street directory on the rear shelf and the conversion was complete . Giovanni was now Jean!

I got it MOT'd on the VIN and drove on like a foooking garlic munching executive cooont 100% legal-ish

Alas, several months after my latest 'congestionmeister' (congestion charge my 4rse ! ) was put into service, the insurance scummers dropped their trade plates only bombshell I have trade plates but that kind of defeats the purpose when trying to be invisible.

The car was very very tidy and I had done a timing belt and a service and I really did not want to frag it so I advertised it on Scumtree for £800 as a congestion charge exempt LPG'd much cheapness chariot ideal for an international man of mystery executive type with a busy jet set lifestyle

A Swampy type appeared who lived in a squat in Richmond and only drove foreign reg cars and was not too bothered about the minor technicalities of registration papers and insurance etc as he fought the system, man I relieved him of £750 and waved the turd goodbye

Peter,

You are a legend in your own back passage!

[hennared323i]

Alas , as a result, decent non law abiding types like me have been penalised as well

I had to read that a few times to fully understand you Pete!

I imported a TR6 from the US back in the early 90's, bolted a couple of old Florida plates I had on it, and hey presto, road legal!

Trust you to do things properly , I.E use the cars correct original plates

I bought a very tidy ex Italy sterling silver 316i quattroporte for £40 five or six years ago. It was obviously LHD AND it had working LPG

The Italian plates had been sent back to Italy as required by law and the paperwork was distinctly lacking.
I rummaged through my back passage and hey presto, a nice pair of matching French plates !
A baby seat was put in the rear seat, a 'F' sticker and a French 'baby on board ' sticker were bought in Calais a load of French shrapnel put in the ashtray, a Paris street directory on the rear shelf and the conversion was complete . Giovanni was now Jean!

I got it MOT'd on the VIN and drove on like a foooking garlic munching executive cooont 100% legal-ish

Alas, several months after my latest 'congestionmeister' (congestion charge my 4rse ! ) was put into service, the insurance scummers dropped their trade plates only bombshell I have trade plates but that kind of defeats the purpose when trying to be invisible.

The car was very very tidy and I had done a timing belt and a service and I really did not want to frag it so I advertised it on Scumtree for £800 as a congestion charge exempt LPG'd much cheapness chariot ideal for an international man of mystery executive type with a busy jet set lifestyle

A Swampy type appeared who lived in a squat in Richmond and only drove foreign reg cars and was not too bothered about the minor technicalities of registration papers and insurance etc as he fought the system, man I relieved him of £750 and waved the turd goodbye

I doth my cap to you sir

[maf260]

I doth my cap to you sir

And after you've finished whatever that is, you could doff your hat.

[Andyboy]

I borrowed this LHD turd as well, and was Andre for a few days. Can't recall why I borrowed it now but it buzzed up the M1 and back again, around the lanes etc.

[pacerpete]

I borrowed this LHD turd as well, and was Andre for a few days. Can't recall why I borrowed it now but it buzzed up the M1 and back again, around the lanes etc.

She was a proud chariot ! It's all about the garlic and the French plates !

Actually, I made a faux pas earlier, I paid 60 sheets for her off Goatly. I was going to go in at £40 but I had relieved him of £60 a couple of weeks earlier for a facelift foglight kit and as this turd had a pair of minty fogs on it I thought I'd play the white man and give him his £60 back . Generous to a fault, I know

Scrap was low back then and He was going to weigh the fooker because it was LHD and had no plates ! I actually saved a more door !!!!

[Fastroad]

What area are you buying from?

As an aside I saw a Mercedes in London last year with these plates on , with a 2010 expiry date!

The car is in Goppingen

[Fastroad]

Alas , as a result, decent non law abiding types like me have been penalised as well

I had to read that a few times to fully understand you Pete!

I imported a TR6 from the US back in the early 90's, bolted a couple of old Florida plates I had on it, and hey presto, road legal!

Trust you to do things properly , I.E use the cars correct original plates

I bought a very tidy ex Italy sterling silver 316i quattroporte for £40 five or six years ago. It was obviously LHD AND it had working LPG

The Italian plates had been sent back to Italy as required by law and the paperwork was distinctly lacking.
I rummaged through my back passage and hey presto, a nice pair of matching French plates !
A baby seat was put in the rear seat, a 'F' sticker and a French 'baby on board ' sticker were bought in Calais a load of French shrapnel put in the ashtray, a Paris street directory on the rear shelf and the conversion was complete . Giovanni was now Jean!

I got it MOT'd on the VIN and drove on like a foooking garlic munching executive cooont 100% legal-ish

Alas, several months after my latest 'congestionmeister' (congestion charge my 4rse ! ) was put into service, the insurance scummers dropped their trade plates only bombshell I have trade plates but that kind of defeats the purpose when trying to be invisible.

The car was very very tidy and I had done a timing belt and a service and I really did not want to frag it so I advertised it on Scumtree for £800 as a congestion charge exempt LPG'd much cheapness chariot ideal for an international man of mystery executive type with a busy jet set lifestyle

A Swampy type appeared who lived in a squat in Richmond and only drove foreign reg cars and was not too bothered about the minor technicalities of registration papers and insurance etc as he fought the system, man I relieved him of £750 and waved the turd goodbye

Follow the footsteps of an E30 King.... Pacer Pete I salute you

[hennared323i]

I doth my cap to you sir

And after you've finished whatever that is, you could doff your hat.

Ooooooh! Pray expand your comment sir. Am I guilty of a perceived offence to the English language?

[Z3I]

Alas , as a result, decent non law abiding types like me have been penalised as well

I had to read that a few times to fully understand you Pete!

I imported a TR6 from the US back in the early 90's, bolted a couple of old Florida plates I had on it, and hey presto, road legal!

Trust you to do things properly , I.E use the cars correct original plates

Yes, as far as I remember, the plates matched the car perfectly, the TR6 was that mustard yellow colour, and the plates were mustard yellow with orange letters. Perfect!

[Z3I]

What area are you buying from?

As an aside I saw a Mercedes in London last year with these plates on , with a 2010 expiry date!

The car is in Goppingen

Here's the reply from Oberhausen, will be the same in Goppingen :

1. First to your question with the car: Yes by our registration office, close by you can buy these plates for 5 days (with the yellow band).

They cost round about €80 -€100,00. Then you can also get ones with a red band, I think they are even for 2 weeks (export) but they are more

expensive, the exact price sorry, I don´t know.

[Fastroad]

Thanks Z3I.

I am told the guy can ship it to me with the V5c equivalent but had no previous TÃaV. Will this be a problem when trying to register in the UK?

[Z3I]

Thanks Z3I.

I am told the guy can ship it to me with the V5c equivalent but had no previous TÃaV. Will this be a problem when trying to register in the UK?

So it hasn't got a current MOT. I think you can register it on its German registration document, then once it has plates on it, book an MOT, so you can eventually tax it.

Insuring the car is a problem without a registration number, you may well have to go to a broker to insure it on its VIN number, the on-line quotes will not work.

Looks like you are having it shipped, not driving it to the UK?

[harry_p]

No tuv is only an issue with driving it before its registered. To register it here they won't take a jot of notice of the tuv status as it'll have to pass our mot before it can be registered.

I know several friends who have imported cars from Europe and none have had any issue insuring them on the vin number so they could drive it for an mot.

[Fastroad]

No tuv is only an issue with driving it before its registered. To register it here they won't take a jot of notice of the tuv status as it'll have to pass our mot before it can be registered.

I know several friends who have imported cars from Europe and none have had any issue insuring them on the vin number so they could drive it for an mot.

Would you happen to know which insurance companies they used?

Thanks for all the replies been very helpful