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How should I import a UK registered classic back to the UK?

I'm interested in buying a car from someone who has kept the car in Spain. The car is a classic and is registered in the UK, with a UK owner, who has an address in the UK. If I buy the car, I would pay for it into a UK bank account. I don't believe I'm liable to pay VAT on the import, but could you give me any advice on whether I'm correct. Should the seller be the named importer, rather than me?

Asked on 26 April 2017 by richardhealey

Answered by Honest John
It's illegal for the car to have been kept in Spain with a UK registration to a UK address for more than six months. So you, or the owner, could get done for that offence. If you can physically take possession of the car in Spain, which will mean insuring it, then get it back to the UK either by driving it or by ferry, that would be best. You then register it to yourself once you get it back to the UK. If it's a genuine classic more than 40 years old you should not get flagged up by the ANPR system. But on the face of it, this reads like a scam. They want you to pay for a car in England while the car is in Spain. That's a good way to lose your money.
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