nickwrxstiV2

Yes, I know, another importing thread! I've tried the search and TBH, the new search facility is just awful!

Anyway...

Looking to import a car from Japan that is over 10yrs old, 1997 to be precise. Thinking of something small but nippy for the GF, something like a civic or a glanza/starlet turbo.

I know that I pay the FOB price, then the shipping and insurance to the suppliers over in Japan. I then pay the 10% import duty, then the 17.5%VAT on top of that.

How do I register it over here? Does it have to have a reg plate for me to get an MOT? Who registers things like the engine size, model, colour, etc...?

Looked on the DVLA website but it's a bit pish!

Anybody?

Jap Import

If I were you I would go to an already established auto importer and get them to source you a car. All the hassle gone, just find an established and well spoke of company (Your'll find some names throughout these forums).

Oh yeah, go for the Starlet, diamond little runners

nickwrxstiV2

I've got a place in Japan that I've been chatting to, got some 'average' prices for the Glanza. One of my mates imported a car through them and they were very good.

I'd like to stay away from companies importing one for me as it bumps up the price.

So,

Who registers the vehicles colour, engine size and vital statistics?

Do I get an MOT first or get a reg plate?

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

MOT then plate i believe. Has to be ok for use i think. The import stuff my FTO had included a MOT for a "vehicle later registered as" which was strange.

5t.

andrewdelvard

TOYOTA STARLET GLANZA WITH TOP MOD'S on eBay, Toyota, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (item 150146320260 end time 07-Aug-07 21:08:53 BST)

AlexJReid

The vehicle's stats are on the deregistration certificate, one of the documents required to register the car. My MOT centre also wanted to see this.

I imported my Impreza, probably paid top whack too so I don't think there's many savings to be had, personally. Of course, can end up with a better car (I think I did) but it's always a gamble. Given my time again I'd probably get one already in the UK that I could test drive, etc.

Anyway, you get the car off the boat, fit a rear fog light (easy) and drive it to an MOT with insurance on the chassis no.
Then go up to the DVLA at Gosforth (I see you're in Whitley Bay!) with forms, registration and first licence fees. I got my tax disc the next day... fit the plates with the number they've given you... you're good to go!

The DVLA have an import pack you can request off their website, has everything you need.

Edit - careful with Glanza insurance, it's NOT the same car as the earlier GT Turbo, can be a lot more.

willysink

if the car is more than 10 years old it only needs an mot, you have to get it mot'ed before you can register it, you don't need number plates for an mot, the tester will use the chassis number.

so, get the car insured, drive for an mot, then you register and licenced it at a dvla office, job done!!

i agree with jap import, i would get an importer to get a car for you, it will save you a lot of hassel, and they will probably mot the car for you.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Any car registered or built after March 2006 is liable for the new Tax Bands!!!!!

Just got an '05 Legacy so I know!

nickwrxstiV2

Would I not get pulled by the plod driving to the MOT station with no plates on?

Blue Dragon - I'm importing one that is 10yrs old!

AlexJReid - Thanks for the useful info.

My Impreza was on the V5 as a GL though? Just wondering if I could get it registered as a 1.3 standard Glanza?

Gav

How do you insure a car with no registration??

Simon 69

Id pay the shippers agents here, rather than adding to your risk by paying the vendor.

You fill the form in, it looks alot more complicated than it actually is.

You do not need a registration plate when you are going to a pre arranged MOT test.

Cars that have not been type approved (not single vehicle approval either) cant be included in the new road tax banding.

Nick; with regards to insurance, thatd be an extremely foolish thing to do.


Simon

willysink

you may get pulled for driving with no plates but its totally legal as long as the car is insured and its booked in for an mot, you are supposed to take the most direct route to the mot station, might be an idea to tell the local cop's what your doing.
i take it the insurance companys insure the car with the chassis number until its registered.

rabskyline

as per last post ! you cant get insurance for a car unless you provide the reg no. and no they wont insure it by its chassis no.as etc....i am sorting a spec 2 skyline for a friend (traffic sargeant ) and he cant insure it till i give him the reggy no.... ............unless you are trade insurance. thats why its worth paying an agent (like what i do ) 300 quid to take you by the hand through the process ( of which you are likely to save 200 pounds on their/my trade dealer discounts at the boat ) OR....go to a importer like jurgen (on the mkiv supra site who is massively respected ) and get him to hand pick you a car in japan . more expensive but you will get the car you are looking for...but glanza money wont interest the likes of the big guys..you would be best to just buy one here already...glanza/starlet turbo in mint nick are 2000-2500 max otr in the uk.........seen them in the docks for 800 quid and perfect condition pre reg and customs etc etc.......!!

Jap Import

What makes me laugh regarding plates is;

You have a plate but the font's illegal, MOT failure.
You have plates but the spacing's illegal, MOT failure.
You have plates but the fronts cracked and the corners missing, MOT failure.

You get the idea, but you can MOT an unregistered car without a plate

500

just like a spare wheel, if it has a bald tyre it's a fail, if it has no spare tyre it's a pass

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Try Jurgen at :: JM - Imports :: - High Performance Cars Direct From Japan - IIRC he buys from dealers not auctions in Japan now.

AlexJReid

This has not been my experience - both A-Plan and Tesco have insured cars of mine on the chassis number before they got registered.

Simon 69

Gary at Keith Michaels is happy to do this also.

willysink

when you go to register a car you must provide a current insurance certificate, mot/sva certificate and the money for road tax, so you must be able to get it insured without it being registerd, or you would'nt get it registerd!!???