Importing a Rallye - Any Advice Appreciated...

[knobby]

Hi

I am looking to travel across to Germany to buy a Rallye and import it into the UK.

I have found two cars i am interested in, both are in Germany. I intend to take a work van and a car trailer and a wallet full of cash.

Bits I wouldn't mind some more advice on..

Insurance - Green Card
I know its going on a trailer but I wanna be covered, quick blast along the autobahn maybe... Nah really i just wanna be covered incase of an accident and total the car on the trailer. Just wondered who to try for insurance and what it is likely to cost.

Fahrzeugbrief
Im assuming this is the ownership form and makes the car mine, and registered keeper. With this and the insurnace does this mean I can drive the car in the UK with the insurance for a certain period of time before u have to uk register it.

V55/5 Form from DVLA
I understand i need to call DVLA to get them to send me one of these forms. I use this form to enable the registration of the car in the UK.

Certificate of Conformity
Apparently I have to call VW UK (Head Office) to get this docunment, they need the chassis number and apparently will send out so you have the type approval, length, weight, emission levels etc. of the car. Will VW still hold docunmentation on a car as old as a Rallye?

Light/Head Light Adjustment & MPH Adjustment
The lights and speedo needs to be converted to comply to UK standards.. Are the Rallye Lights adjustable or will they need replacing? MPH adjustment, not sure how this car be done, any ideas?

Vehicle Certification Authority
I have to send the Certificate of Conformity and proof ive had the lights/Speedo adjusted with a reciept. Apparently they should send me a Mutual Recognition Certificate, costs £65.

MOT/SVA
Now do I just go to a Test centre to have an MOT done, Or go to an SVA centre to get a test done? Can i drive it to the Centre? Will the certificate be in the german plates reg no?

DVLA Office
I think i should take all the above documentation to my local DVLA office, here i have to pay for tax and they will approve the registration. i pay them £38 plus whatever tax costs. Then in a week i recieve my tax disk and a docunment that allows me to have the plates made up. at this point im assuming i have to change my insurance? and in a few weeks i should recieve the V5.

VAT? Import Tax?
Any thoughts... I think i have to pay VAT.

Guess at this point look back and reflect on the amount of cash ive saved... I hope...   

If anyone has anything to add it would be appreciated. My main concern is am i allowed to use the car in this country while registered in my name under german plates.

Any advice appreciated...

Cheers

Knobby..
ps... sorry for all the posts... 

[MK4_20VT]

I know this isn't answering your question but...  How about this Rallye
 
http://www.just-sports.org/manufacturer.asp?manu=vw

[knobby]

Looks nice... But its been up for sale for ages... Just wonder why?

Knobby..

[FBF]

as an alien car i think you get 6 months grace period to get it registered.  i was also under the impression that as the car is in the EU you only need to pay the 40 odd quid for uk registration.  assuming the car is over ten years old id also think it wont need an SVA either.  ive only imported from america so my info may be a little out where importing from europe is concerned

[barkstar]

A mate brings cars in from Germany all the time. It not that complicated but.....
You'll need to check with your insurance about cover to drive a car but don't get your hopes up, if you can get/afford cover don't be surprised if you get a 'Nein' from the owner - put yourself in his shoes.
If the owner has deregistered (logged out) the car he keeps the plates, they are the tax disc as well and he'll get a rebate. If you want to drive it home you'll need to get export plates - £75 - the owner will have to go with you to the local Town Hall to sort that out. If there is only a few weeks left on his plates he may let you keep them but don't count on it. The German DVLC also has a downloadable receipt/contract that you each get a copy of.
The Fahrzeugbrief is the log book and you will need it, there is a another Fahrzeug but you don't strictly need it. When you get the V55/5 make sure you get the import duty form with it - more of that later.
You don't need a cert of conformity as its a production car coming from the EU
The Rallyes lamps are adjustable I think - do a search on the forum - and you don't have to change the speedo but don't blame me if you get done for speeding!
Vehicle Certification Authority - as above you, don't need one
Any MOT place can test the car and issue an MOT on the chassis number (Yes you can drive with no reg plates but book the car in) - thats why you need to do the lights NOTE: I'd never buy a German Car with no TUV (pronounced TUF) Their every two years test is much stiffer than ours and give you some idea that the car is roadworthy - though its meaningless over here.
So armed with the Fahrzeugbrief, MOT, V55/5 and import duty form (You don't pay anything with 2nd hand cars from the EU but must declare this on the form) the £38 registration fee and the money for a tax disc - you can't just register it you must tax it as well go to your local LVLC. It better to go in person than wait for the post.  They give you a form with the new reg that allows you to get a reg plate while your waiting for DVLC to send the new log book.
If you got German plates - export or otherwise - you could drive around but... how would you insure it and if you had any sort of problem you'd have a real headache. Basically it's not worth it.
Barkstar 

[FBF]

i have trade insurance so bring it over and id be more than happy to thrash it around in the uk for you?...  generous offer i know.  (you could sit in the back if you like?))

[knobby]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the advice. Its really appreciated.

So looks like I’m defo going to take a van/car and car trailer. Think it’s the best way, only gonna cost £50 for a couple of days anyway.

Not having to get the cert of conformity form is going to save a lot of time and money. I was defo going to buy one with a TUV this was already strongly recommended to me.

Sounds like I should be able to get it MOTÂ’d and registered in a week or so,  where as before I thought it was going to be at least a month.

I have a 4-5k Budget. IÂ’ve been looking to spend around 3000 euros on a car, looking at what is currently available this should buy me a Rallye with about 130k on the clock and a little scruffy. I want to buy one cheaper so I can afford to have it re-sprayed back in England and maybe treat her to some alloys and a reconditioned charger/full service etc.

Again any advice appreciated, Really donÂ’t want to go blind at this, if anyone else has every imported a Rallye from Germany I would love to hear from them

Cheers

Knobby

[Mr Blue]

yes the rallye headlamps are adjustable. They have a crap light output so be carefull mate

[knobby]

All Mk2's have a crap light output... 

[Chugadub]

...cue plug from dizzie...(if hes not too busy demolishing another car...)