Importing a car from IOM to UK - private sale
Discussion
from the DVLA
Importing a vehicle from the Isle of Man
If the vehicle is registered in the Isle of Man, you do not need to make a NOVA application. You just need to send a completed form V55 and the Isle of Man registration document for the vehicle to the DVLA.
If the vehicle is not registered in the Isle of Man, or if it still has UK licence plates, ask the imports and exports helpline for form NOVA1. Send this form and a covering letter explaining the situation to the Personal Transport Unit.
Personal Transport Unit
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1GD
Importing a vehicle from the Isle of Man
If the vehicle is registered in the Isle of Man, you do not need to make a NOVA application. You just need to send a completed form V55 and the Isle of Man registration document for the vehicle to the DVLA.
If the vehicle is not registered in the Isle of Man, or if it still has UK licence plates, ask the imports and exports helpline for form NOVA1. Send this form and a covering letter explaining the situation to the Personal Transport Unit.
Personal Transport Unit
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1GD
IOM cars have a VRC Vehicle Registration Certificate which used to be paper. This is all you need.
Remember there is no MOT so if the car is more than 3 years old you need to MOT it asap. Also it will be invisible on the DVLA & MOT database pre-import. The MOT centre will need to MOT it on the VIN number rather than the reg plate as the system won't see it - from memory the garage has to do something different on the MOT system.
You can drive for 6 months on the IOM plate but I think you need the MOT for your insurance to be valid.
When you sell it it will probably be a little more difficult because when someone does a history search it will be invisible pre-import. I ended up selling my car to my brother because most dealers in the UK thought it was too much hassle.
Remember there is no MOT so if the car is more than 3 years old you need to MOT it asap. Also it will be invisible on the DVLA & MOT database pre-import. The MOT centre will need to MOT it on the VIN number rather than the reg plate as the system won't see it - from memory the garage has to do something different on the MOT system.
You can drive for 6 months on the IOM plate but I think you need the MOT for your insurance to be valid.
When you sell it it will probably be a little more difficult because when someone does a history search it will be invisible pre-import. I ended up selling my car to my brother because most dealers in the UK thought it was too much hassle.
Edited by Matt_T on Friday 5th September 16:31
No you don't need any export paperwork.
The Isle of Man govt offices are ridiculously helpful, just phone them up and ask them what you need. They may want to be advised that the car has left the island.
When I insured my IOM car in the UK I declared it as an import just to avoid any risk of the insurer using this as a loophole later down the line.
Also be prepared that the MOT centre in the UK may say it has lots of rust if they are somewhere not used to coastal cars. Maybe give the hubs and suspension components a good scrub & jet wash first to avoid the MOT saying "extensive rust on..."
The Isle of Man govt offices are ridiculously helpful, just phone them up and ask them what you need. They may want to be advised that the car has left the island.
When I insured my IOM car in the UK I declared it as an import just to avoid any risk of the insurer using this as a loophole later down the line.
Also be prepared that the MOT centre in the UK may say it has lots of rust if they are somewhere not used to coastal cars. Maybe give the hubs and suspension components a good scrub & jet wash first to avoid the MOT saying "extensive rust on..."
Edited by Matt_T on Saturday 6th September 12:00
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