UK Reg Historic Vehicle Outside of the UK for over 12 months

[Fatcatvera]

I've read around the subject and I am very aware that formally if a vehicle is outside the UK for over 12months it has to be exported and then re-imported. However with a Historic vehicle there is no need to bring the car to the UK to MOT it with the 12month period, so in that respect a car of historic status remains OK.
I have a vague plan that takes my car on a one-way journey to Europe at the start of summer year 1 and then is driven back to the UK at the end of the summer year 2, so would be abroad for about 13-14months.

So my questions are:-

1. Are vehicle registrations logged as you exit and re-enter the UK from Europe? ie How do the Authorities know how long it' been out of the country?

2. What happens if a car overstays it's welcome?!

Ta

[MustangGT]

It is nothing to do with the MoT, although you could run foul of the insurance if your car did not have a current MoT.

DVLA requires 'permanent export' if out of the country for more than 12 months regardless of any MoT requirements. That export also removes the requirement for VED, even if it is currently £0.

Most countries require the vehicle to be registered if in country for more than 6 or 12 months, country dependent.

[BertBert]

MustangGT said:

It is nothing to do with the MoT, although you could run foul of the insurance if your car did not have a current MoT.

More insurance/mot drivel

[solo2]

Whilst probably officially not the way to do it, how would DVLA know the car is out the country if you SORN'd it once arrived and parked up. If it is not being used once you are there, then I can't see why this wouldn't work

[HiAsAKite]

What is the situation if it leaves the UK for more than 12 months, but is then in multiple countries, not exceeding 12 months in any one? Surely remains UK registered..

Could this be applicable?

[ferret50]

solo2 said:

Whilst probably officially not the way to do it, how would DVLA know the car is out the country if you SORN'd it once arrived and parked up. If it is not being used once you are there, then I can't see why this wouldn't work

Be aware that a SORN'ed vehicle used in Euroland falls foul of being used without VED and could be classed as unroadworthy. I have had a vehicle checked for VED is Spain, not only by Spanish plod but also by breakdown insurance....in my case it was a genuine error, 2nd day of the month as VED expired at the end of the previous month

[BertBert]

Just curious, how do Spanish plod do that?

[ferret50]

BertBert said:

Just curious, how do Spanish plod do that?

Exactly the same way that you and I do, via DVLA's website and a clever phone!

[BertBert]

ferret50 said:

BertBert said:

Just curious, how do Spanish plod do that?

Exactly the same way that you and I do, via DVLA's website and a clever phone!

Thanks!

[solo2]

ferret50 said:

solo2 said:

Whilst probably officially not the way to do it, how would DVLA know the car is out the country if you SORN'd it once arrived and parked up. If it is not being used once you are there, then I can't see why this wouldn't work

Be aware that a SORN'ed vehicle used in Euroland falls foul of being used without VED and could be classed as unroadworthy. I have had a vehicle checked for VED is Spain, not only by Spanish plod but also by breakdown insurance....in my case it was a genuine error, 2nd day of the month as VED expired at the end of the previous month

Agreed, as I said parked up once arrived at destination. then you would retax it to make the return journey, ergo always taxed when being used

[BananaParma]

During the early Covid years , my brother in law's Suzuki Vitara sat unused in a Tuscany village for well over a year , he eventually drove it all the way back with no MOT or tax to Kent .

[ferret50]

My problems always seem to happen in Spain, and on the return trips!

My theory is that my vans/campers do not want to return to a cold, damp, miserable UK so fail in a nice warm country!