Importing an old Volvo from Sweden

[suffolk009]

I've been looking for a 140 series Volvo for too long now - a 2 door or a 5 door ideally. A friend recently came back from a short visit to Sweden, and told me they were everywhere. A bit of an exaggeration, but trawling the net, there does seem to be a few available.

I'm happy with the ball park prices they're asking, and going to get the car would be an adventure. And I don't mind driving lefties. So it seems to make sense.

What I don't know, and the DVLA are next to useless with advice, is do I need to pay duty and VAT on the purchase price, and will it need an IVA test? Have asked both questions and got conflicting advice on each occasion.

Also, does anyone know a good dealer in Sweden who deals with classic Volvos?

Thought all you PH people are likely to know.

Thanks for any help.

[niagra]

Sweden are in the EU so should be no problems what so ever. No duties, tax or anything. You'll just need to change a few things to satisfy the MOT requirements.

I stand to be corrected but I am sure this is the case.

[davepoth]

niagra said:

Sweden are in the EU so should be no problems what so ever. No duties, tax or anything. You'll just need to change a few things to satisfy the MOT requirements.

I stand to be corrected but I am sure this is the case.

Yup, that's about the long and the short of it. RHD headlights, possibly a change to the rear lights (not sure on that though) and you should be there.

[suffolk009]

Anybody kno wthe best sites for old cars in Sweden / Finland / Norway? Looking for a 145.

[gary3170]

hi mate i,m a wiganner living in sweden :-)
heres one site for you(searched all 145,s on this site)
http://www.blocket.se/hela_sverige/bilar?q=volvo%2...
imports no problem just pay the boat (500)i,ve just bought a v70 d5 from england,needed engine ;-) )
anymore help i can be?
i,ll check the thread over mate or you can email me
remember the swedish kronor is a good price to the
kind regards gary

[Finlandese]

In Finland the best one is www.nettiauto.com.

Here are the searches for 142, 144, 145, and the 164.

http://www.nettiauto.com/volvo/142/?id_vehicle_typ...

http://www.nettiauto.com/volvo/144/?id_vehicle_typ...

http://www.nettiauto.com/volvo/145/?id_vehicle_typ...

http://www.nettiauto.com/volvo/164/?id_vehicle_typ...

Edited by Finlandese on Sunday 18th March 19:04

[Rostfritt]

I have done exactly this. Well I went for an amazon, but same thing. I flew over, called about a car on Blocket and arranged a meeting. The biggest issue was transferring the money, you might want to look into changing a pile of Krona. The other issue is registering a car as exported in Sweden involves returning the plates, or getting export plates which takes about a week. I had to sign a contract saying I would return the plates by post once I got home. I think I was lucky to find an understanding seller.

Once back in the UK things are relatively easy. New headlights or beam deflectors for the headlights are all you need for an MOT, being an old car the MOT is quite easy and shouldn't need reverse lights, fog lights or hazard lights. I fould Adrian Flux were the only insurer happy to insure a car on the vin no for the journey home and to register it. DVLA want 55 first reg fee and 6 or 12 months tax. They sent me the cars UK reg in about 3 days, on an official form filled in with a dried up felt tip. Take this official document to a plate makers, or buy some online and you are ready to go!

On looking for a car, the further north you go, the less rust there is, as they don't use any on thick ice, so there are some quite intact cars near the arctic circle, but it almost doubles the journey home.

[suffolk009]

I'm really excited about all this. Looking very do-able. Bit of paperwork, but that's no big deal. Suspect the problem will simply be trying to find one that is the right year, and spec for the right money.

Money transfer won't be a problem, just a pocketful of Kroner.

Motoring adventures.....

[hidetheelephants]

Do keep us updated, and take photos! Interesting stuff.

[B Huey]

I had a holiday in Denmark when I was young, it was full of Volvos there too. Our hosts had a 2 door 240. Very cool.

Denmark is much nearer than Sweden.

[hidetheelephants]

B Huey said:

I had a holiday in Denmark when I was young, it was full of Volvos there too. Our hosts had a 2 door 240. Very cool.

Denmark is much nearer than Sweden.

Tre Kroner! Much cheesy seventies coupe nonsense!

[MX7]

niagra said:

Sweden are in the EU so should be no problems what so ever. No duties, tax or anything.

Denmark are in the EU, but the costs in duties and tax to export a car to there are incredible. I can't remember the exact figures, but it became so expensive that it seemed surreal.

[Rostfritt]

MX7 said:

Denmark are in the EU, but the costs in duties and tax to export a car to there are incredible. I can't remember the exact figures, but it became so expensive that it seemed surreal.

It is quite absurd, can be 100% first registration tax iirc, but it goes down if you have safety features or low co2, Exporting a TVR there would be eye wateringly expensive. Due to this, car makers sell cars there at almost cost price, with all safety kit as standard and make their profit in servicing. Swedes go there to buy cars with export only plates and save thousands when they register them at home. Luckily we have a relatively sane first registration fee so importing a car here is quite painless, the £55 registration fee is meant to cover the cost of log books for the car's entire life.

[Skyedriver]

Just curious, why?
TBH until a few years a go I was a sports car guy, but family life has lead me into Volvo and the 940 although I do like the 122 and navigated for a guy in a PV544 a couple times
Are the Swedish cars cheaper, better condition ??
Wouldn't mind a 122 or 140 (pre 72) if I thought it was going to be better nick than a UK car.

[KemP]

suffolk009 said:

Anybody kno wthe best sites for old cars in Sweden / Finland / Norway? Looking for a 145.

finn.no is the most widely used website in Norway. Dont expect to find anything cheap. Buying a car from Sweden will be cheaper