Thanks for outlining all the hoops that had to be jumped through. I'm still puzzled about the IVA (VAT) bit as surely that only applies to new (as in less than 6months old 6k kilometres) or non-EU second-hand vehicles?
Over here (Ireland) it's
1) Book an appointment within 7 days of arrival in state. Registration process to be completed no later than 30 days after arriving.
2) Insuring the car is generally anything from 300 EUR upwards.
3) Go to the NCTS (the MOT people, only 22 out of 47 do registration) with V5C, MOT, invoice/receipt, proof of date of entry (ferry ticket, etc,), PPS number (National Insurance no.) and proof of address (utility bill). If doing a transfer of residence or claiming an exemption, a cert is required which is obtained from the Revenue. If it's not clear what the CO2 emissions figure is, then acceptable evidence of the figure is needed to avoid being charged the highest rate. Jump through all these hoops and for an older car expect either to pay 36% VRT based on the OMSP (that is a notional value dreamt up by the Revenue and may not bear any relation to what you actually paid for it. Also the lowest the OMSP can be is set at 2000 EUR. So forget about importing a low-value car under 30 years old as it'll be a minimum of 720 EUR.
4) Vehicle will be called in for test after registration.
5) Go down the motor tax office and pay the motor tax, For pre-2008 cars, this varies in 100cc bands from sub-1000cc to 3000cc and over. Min 185 EUR, Max 1683 EUR. 3/6/12 month discs can be purchased, but only under exceptional circumstance will they entertain a rebate - robbin' bastards.
6) Buy some plates from anywhere (no paperwork required, like the good ol' days) and screw 'em on. Do this within 3 days of completing registration.
*) However, if the vehicle is over 30 years old or a commercial, the VRT is a slightly more palatable fixed rate of 200 EUR. Also at that age, motor tax is a flat-rate of 52 EUR regardless of engine size. If the vehicle was first registered (and by that registered anywhere, not when it came into the state) before 1st Jan 1980, it is exempt from NCT (MOT).
Guess how many 27/28/29 year old imports are hidden away until they reach their 30th?....
Also guess how many over 30 year-old cars that are post 1980 are being off-loaded when the owner find out they are not exempt from testing (used to be a rolling 30 years like the VRT/tax)?....
Importing an EU vehicle to the UK
1) Make sure the headlamps are RHD and that fog light(s) (post 1980) are fitted. MPH or dual marked speedo.
2) Insure it by the VIN.
3) MOT it by the VIN.
4) Trip to DVLA local office and hand over all the papers and 55 quid plus some money for road tax and away you go.
Relatively easy
