Seller not completing registration on classic US import?

[jbailey114]

Looking at buying an old Merc and came across this thing...



The seller has completed the NOVA paperwork etc and has the NOVA certificate in hand. However, they haven't sent off for a V5 which makes me a little suspicious. Is there any good reason (outside of not having 1 keepers on the logbook when they sell it) why you wouldn't just finish the paperwork, get a V5 and a number plate? Surely it makes flogging your car easier..

Never bought a car in this situation before, forgive my ignorance please!

Also, feel free to lay into the horrendous US bumpers

Thanks

[T70RPM]

Hi
If they have a NOVA it's not a big deal, but make sure they have the US Title, or you'll need a dating certificate.
It's not unusual for sellers not to register them as the DVLA are very patchy on timescale and it can hold up the sale of the vehicle

[bennno]

bear in mind it'll need an MOT and compliance certificate or testing as well as something confirming its original age

Without all of that i dont believe they will issue a V5 - the MOT might be complex, not sure if its over 40 years if they waive that on an import

[jbailey114]

bennno said:

bear in mind it'll need an MOT and compliance certificate or testing as well as something confirming its original age

Without all of that i dont believe they will issue a V5 - the MOT might be complex, not sure if its over 40 years if they waive that on an import

It's getting on for 50 years old now so definitely will be MOT exempt once it's through the system. I've read some conflicting info on whether all imports require inspection or if it's just whenever the DVLA decides they want to. Bit of a grey area (and certainly one that'd affect the value of a car if it requires one)

[jbailey114]

I should add that it does have the US title so that will confirm the age of the car.

[TISPKJ]

jbailey114 said:

It's getting on for 50 years old now so definitely will be MOT exempt once it's through the system. I've read some conflicting info on whether all imports require inspection or if it's just whenever the DVLA decides they want to. Bit of a grey area (and certainly one that'd affect the value of a car if it requires one)

Hi, I could be wrong but by "inspection" I think they mean that it physically exists, at least that was the case on new stuff a few years ago.

I bought in an old corvette 2 years ago and had the US deed of title, registered it here correctly as an historic vehicle with no problems.

[T70RPM]

It will NOT need an MOT at that age, & SOMETIMES, the DVLA will inspect.
I've done it a lot with cars & bikes from the States.
Best thing is send photos of the car, each side, and the engine & chassis number, and send a covering letter listing everything you have sent them & why.
Don't assume that, for example, if there is no title, they won't ask you for one, if you send a dating certificate.
You will need to tell them there isn't one.
It's an easy process, not to be frightened of.
As long as you have a NOVA and dating evidence (title OR dating certificate from the MB owner's club) there shouldn't be a problem getting an age related plate

[jbailey114]

T70RPM said:

It will NOT need an MOT at that age, & SOMETIMES, the DVLA will inspect.
I've done it a lot with cars & bikes from the States.
Best thing is send photos of the car, each side, and the engine & chassis number, and send a covering letter listing everything you have sent them & why.
Don't assume that, for example, if there is no title, they won't ask you for one, if you send a dating certificate.
You will need to tell them there isn't one.
It's an easy process, not to be frightened of.
As long as you have a NOVA and dating evidence (title OR dating certificate from the MB owner's club) there shouldn't be a problem getting an age related plate

Great post, thank you for taking the time. So it seems it's more of a case of showing them you're registering an actual car than a vin plate/doing a dodgy reshell, etc.

[healeyneil]

If you do buy, make sure any documents sent to DVLA are posted “ signed for “ They seem to have a habit of losing things !

[jbailey114]

Good tip, will do. Thank you!

[jbailey114]

healeyneil said:

If you do buy, make sure any documents sent to DVLA are posted “ signed for “ They seem to have a habit of losing things !

Do they send original documents back by the way? Would be a shame to lose the original title, etc - keeping a copy just isn't the same after all

[healeyneil]

No. They keep the original title

[jbailey114]

healeyneil said:

No. They keep the original title

Ok, so keep a decent scan of the original to preserve the history then!

[healeyneil]

Last car I imported, I included a copy of the BMIHT certificate, just to be helpful, although it isn’t a required document. They wouldn’t register it till I sent the original!
I did get that back, tho