8 replies to this topic

[Ashleyftarr]

I have what seems to be a pretty obscure problem. I moved to Australia 2 years ago and decided to embark on building a mini project. The problem I have now is that I lost my job and now need to return to the UK. I want to bring the mini back with me but am unsure how it will all work so hoping one of you guys may be able to help.

The issue is this. That car is incomplete. Because it hasn't been registered in Australia since I owned it, I have no title documents or insurance documents (for some reason in Queensland you don't get registration docs until the car is on the road). All I have is a slip of paper from the guy I bought it from (private sell) saying the price I bought it for and the date. This means that effectively I cannot prove that I have officially owned the car for 6 months (required to import into the UK).

It is currently a rolling chassis with all engine parts in boxes. It is a 1972 mini clubman with Australia VIN. I've restored and re-built the gearbox. Had the block honed, sleeved and skimmed, had the head modified, swapped the suspension out from hydro to dry. I've also swapped the drum brake system out for a disc brake front.

As the car is not in "running order" I've been told that I cannot import the car as a "car" and will therefore have to import it as "car parts". The issue here is that if I do that, when I register it in the UK, apparently it will have to be Q plated and classed as a kit car - which it isn't. Also, if I import it as car parts, surely I will have to pay VAT on each individual item (I've swapped a lot of the items), which will total about £3500 in import fees and VAT (according to my calculations).

Does anyone know how I can get around this issue? I love my little project car and really don't want to get rid of it as I've spent a lot of money personalising it and would never get this investment back.

Please help!

[Cooperman]

You need to get a copy of the original VIN in the previous owner's name, plus a legal 'bill-of-sale' to confirm your ownership.

That way you could import it as a complete car under restoration. Lots of project cars come in not complete. In fact when I was collecting a Californian registered car for temporary import at Felixstowe last week there were a lot of incomplete cars being imported by British restoration companies. All will get age-related U.K. plates when complete.  

The key is a legal confirmation of the registration in Oz. Without that you won't be able to bring it in other than as spares.

Maybe the Mini Clubs in Australia could help with a production trace document as supporting paperwork.

 

I hope this helps. Just think, soon you'll be the right way up again  .

[Ashleyftarr]

Thank you for your reply. I was worried you might say that. I have no original VIN documents and the guy I bought it from had it as a project too so never registered it either. I tried speaking with the DVLA equivalent in Australia who were useless. They have copied of the documents but won't release them to me as they have the previous owner's information - which is protected. 

 

I have a legal proof of sale form but missing the registration documents. I'm going to try a heritage search to see if I can get anything that way, but it isn't looking too hopeful really.

[Ashleyftarr]

You need to get a copy of the original VIN in the previous owner's name, plus a legal 'bill-of-sale' to confirm your ownership.

That way you could import it as a complete car under restoration. Lots of project cars come in not complete. In fact when I was collecting a Californian registered car for temporary import at Felixstowe last week there were a lot of incomplete cars being imported by British restoration companies. All will get age-related U.K. plates when complete.  

The key is a legal confirmation of the registration in Oz. Without that you won't be able to bring it in other than as spares.

Maybe the Mini Clubs in Australia could help with a production trace document as supporting paperwork.

 

I hope this helps. Just think, soon you'll be the right way up again  .

Hi Cooperman,

 

So I went down to the traffic authority again. They have issued me with a letter stating the chassis number of the car and detailing that the vehicle has previously been registered in Queensland, Australia but was unregistered in September 1989. This is an official letter - do you think that will satisfy the HMRC with regards to previous registration? The traffic Authority say that this is all they can do as they do not hold registration document copies from 25 years ago!

[Cooperman]

If you could get the build date details and the original registration number in Australia, then import it with those details I'm sure the UK DVLA would issue an age-related number and accept it as an imported motor vehicle.

I once imported a Healey 3000 from California in pieces and had no problem, buy I had the CA 'pink slip' which confirmed the car's original identity. I paid import duty, but that was low as the car was a non-runner. In fact the engine was in boxes, as was all the trim and other stuff. I never finished it as I had intended to build a 'full on' historic rally car, but then I went out in my historic rally Cooper 'S' and came up against a well-driven Healey 3000 which my 'S' blew away easily, so I kept with Minis and sold the Healey (for a nice profit!).

You might find the Australian Mini Clubs could help as well.

I'm sure that there is a way.

[Ashleyftarr]

If you could get the build date details and the original registration number in Australia, then import it with those details I'm sure the UK DVLA would issue an age-related number and accept it as an imported motor vehicle.
I once imported a Healey 3000 from California in pieces and had no problem, buy I had the CA 'pink slip' which confirmed the car's original identity. I paid import duty, but that was low as the car was a non-runner. In fact the engine was in boxes, as was all the trim and other stuff. I never finished it as I had intended to build a 'full on' historic rally car, but then I went out in my historic rally Cooper 'S' and came up against a well-driven Healey 3000 which my 'S' blew away easily, so I kept with Minis and sold the Healey (for a nice profit!).
You might find the Australian Mini Clubs could help as well.
I'm sure that there is a way.

Thanks for all this information. You have been very helpful. The Australia mini clubs were useless but I did manage to get a release of information document from the transport authority here (stamped with a letter head!). The letter details the make, model, year, VIN number, engine number, registration number, year of first registration & year of final registration. I still have the compliance plate on the car too so they both match. I had to pay for this but hopefully it will be enough for them!

Thanks Again!

[albo]

hi is your mini special to you in some way, as the cost of shipping ect can be expensive, i could imagine it could easy cost a grand or two, then thers transportation at both ends, wouldn`t it be easier to sell yours there and buy one of your choice hear in the uk,

good luck eitere way. 

 

alan

[Ashleyftarr]

I have a lot of other things coming back so it is just a case of putting it in the container. I have put a lot of money into this mini making it mine and as I said it isn't finished therefore I would never get back anywhere near what I put in as my goal was never to sell. I have owned other minis and it isn't a case of owning "a" mini. This is MY mini, time, effort and love had gone into this. Money is not the point of this string any way. And yes, Australian minis of that age vary to British built minis in a few quirky ways so it will be nice to have something slightly different.

[Cooperman]

I eckon yopu now have everything you need for importation.

You should be able to get the shipper/logistics company to sort out the paperwork for you.

I can recommend a company called Schumacher Logistics, based in Needham Market, Suffolk, if you need help with this. They did the importation of the Sunbeam Tiger I mentioned and all my American friend had to do was collect it from Felixstowe, show his ID (US Passport) and registration document/proof of ownership and it was fine. There were a load of imported cars at the docks, some road-legal and others in various states of dis-assembly.

 

I hope this helps.