Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Importing a previously registered UK car

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Wed 4 Aug 2010 17:26
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Importing a previously registered UK car - lasercat

Hello,

This October I'm planning to fly out to Alonissos (a Greek island) to pick up my Granddad's X reg Berlingo, and drive it back to the UK via Italy, Switzerland and France.

My Granddad bought the car in the UK as normal back when he lived here, and used it to travel out to Greece when he moved there. Back in 2004, he officially exported the car from the UK.

It was never registered in Greece, as it was over 10 years old and could not be registered.

So how do I go about driving it back and re-importing the car, while staying legal and insured along the way?

I'm under the impression that I'll need to get it re-registered in the UK to allow me to tax and insure it for the journey back, but I can't get tax without an MOT, and I can't get an MOT without it being in the UK.

I know its possible to get insurance based on the chassis number, which alleviates that problem.

I was thinking I might be able to somehow re-register it based upon the export documentation I have a copy of, and maybe book an MOT in Dover for when I arrive?

Is my only option to transport it? I understand the European police are cracking down on UK drivers without tax.

Thanks in advance

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Thu 5 Aug 2010 07:27
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Importing a previously registered UK car - LucyBC
The easiest way is to put it in a container and ship it and then MOT it at the port. Make sure any shipper you choose is bona fide and a member of BIFA.

It has to be insured for you to drive it and you don't need tax or an MOT for that but the vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition.

Very few authorities will be much interested in whether you have a UK excise licence or MOT but you obviously face a risk. The Swiss in particular are sticklers for the correct paperwork.

If you do drive it again you have to MOT and tax it once back in the UK.
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Thu 5 Aug 2010 17:02
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Importing a previously registered UK car - Falkirk Bairn

The car will cost £££s in fuel to get home, overnight stays, food......... unless the trip back is regarded as a holiday.

Shipping back will cost several hundred £££s

Why not sell the car for sc*** in Greece - if the car/van is any good there must be a market for a runner or the engine, gbox etc

With the money saved on driving back + sc*** value buy ANother car here and avoid the fate of breaking down half way between Greece & Dover.

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Thu 5 Aug 2010 17:49
Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Importing a previously registered UK car - WellKnownSid

Granddad's X reg Berlingo, and drive it back to the UK via Italy, Switzerland and France.

My Granddad bought the car in the UK as normal back when he lived here, and used it to travel out to Greece when he moved there. Back in 2004, he officially exported the car from the UK.

It was never registered in Greece, as it was over 10 years old and could not be registered.

The X reg prefix came out on 1st August 2000, so back in 2004, when the car was officially exported, it would have been between 3.5 and 4.5 years old, not 10?

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