Importing a bike from Germany

[montydog]

Can any one help me I am thinking of sourcing a second hand airhead from Germany and once sourced I am wanting to know what further cost implications there are likley to be,some of the questions that I have thought of are,

1.Would there be any Taxes bringing it back to the UK and how much would they be?

2.The TUV I presume is the German equivalent to our MOT, is it up to scratch will a bike with a current TUV likley pass an MOT in the UK.

3.What would be the cheapest way to bring it to the UK,I assume riding it???If so would I have to get a UK insurance company to insure me on the German registered number until I re regisered it in the UK.

4.How do I re-register a bike in the UK what documents should I have from Germany and how much would this be?

I am in the "thought "process for this one so any help or advice either way would be appreciated many thanks and a happy new year to you all

 

[Possu]

Can any one help me I am thinking of sourcing a second hand airhead from Germany and once sourced I am wanting to know what further cost implications there are likley to be,some of the questions that I have thought of are,

1.Would there be any Taxes bringing it back to the UK and how much would they be?

2.The TUV I presume is the German equivalent to our MOT, is it up to scratch will a bike with a current TUV likley pass an MOT in the UK.

3.What would be the cheapest way to bring it to the UK,I assume riding it???If so would I have to get a UK insurance company to insure me on the German registered number until I re regisered it in the UK.

4.How do I re-register a bike in the UK what documents should I have from Germany and how much would this be?

I am in the "thought "process for this one so any help or advice either way would be appreciated many thanks and a happy new year to you all

If the bike is over 6 months and/or has covered more than 6,000km, no tax to pay.

To register it in the UK:

Get Insurance Cover Note, using the German registration number or the frame number.

Get it MOT'd using the frame number.

Go to local DVLA office with MOT, UK Insurance docs & German paperwork. DVLA will charge you (£25.00?) for faxing the German paperwork to the German Embassy to confirm bike is legit. You'll also have to buy a min. of 6 months Road Tax unless you're declaring the the bike SORN at time of import.

DVLA will tell you what your new UK registration number will be. Go & get a plate made up & await arrival of Logbook - ours arrived following day.

If you have all the correct paperwork to hand & follow the above steps, it's a painless & inexpensive procedure.

It's only worth doing if you're making a worthwhile saving or if you're somehow "emotionally attached" to the bike in question?

 

[Spout]

This reply should go in the "FAQs" section.

 

[Gecko]

I have a couple of documents which you should have a read of if you are serious about buying in Germany. They are issued by ADAC , Germany's AA or RAC equivalent. I explains all about buying a second hand vehicle in Germany. First one is in English , the second one , which both buyer and seller should sign and forms a binding sale agreement is in German. the English one is for information only.
They are too big to post on this thread but if you PM me your email address I'll email them to you.

 

[AndyT]

There is a good website www.DVLA.gov.uk which has a section on importing and registering vehicles.

Good luck.

 

[montydog]

Cheers for all your help...Gecko I have got your email but when down loaded to "word" format it has asked for a code option and just displays a programe............help(did I say I am a technophobe)!!!!

 

[Steptoe]

you have to get german export number plates - from a german equivalant DVLA office .

you can use them for a month in the UK . ( i used mine for 6 months, but don't tell anyone )

 

[istanbulian]

As Steptoe says you are obliged to export the vehicle on special export only plates. These are date stamped and are normally only valid for 15 days to 30 days. The date is on a Red Stripe on the extreme right of the plate so that its validity period is obvious to all.

As part of the process of obtaining the export plates in Germany you will have to purchase compulsory third paty insurance for ecah country in the EU through which you intend to ride the vehicle.

Don't try to do this on a Friday afternoon; all German Govt offices close at midday. DAMHIK

 

[BBB61]

As part of the process of obtaining the export plates in Germany you will have to purchase compulsory third paty insurance for ecah country in the EU through which you intend to ride the vehicle.

If you purchase a policy in an EU country, wouldn't it automatically give you the minimum cover in each member state?

Bob

 

[Gecko]

Cheers for all your help...Gecko I have got your email but when down loaded to "word" format it has asked for a code option and just displays a programe............help(did I say I am a technophobe)!!!!

You must be very technophobic they were 'pdf '(adobe acrobat) documents