Import used camper to U.K. from Germany

[My-name-is-Miri]

Hi all,



My father wants to give me his old campervan as he is moving to Malta where he won’t be needing it. The camper is currently registered and parked in Germany, where he is living. However, he will lose his “main residence” status in Germany in March. This means that from March the vehicle can no longer be insured/registered in Germany under his name. He has a garage he can store it in in Germany until August. Could you please advise me on transfer of ownership to a family member and import/registration to the U.K.? Also would I need to pay gift tax on the vehicle?

Many thanks,
Miriam

 

[rod_vw]

Hi Rod

Please see my reply to Miriam.

Really sorry to be picky but if it's just the V55 you have to complete (ie vehicle over 10 years old)

Line 46 on V55 "Date of original registration"

Cheers

You may be looking at an old V55/5, it was seriously revised in December 2023. This has to be completed for any used vehicle to be registered in the UK.

I believe you are correct in that no CoC is required if the vehicle is over ten years old although I cannot find that written on any of the current guidance documents. I'm sure it used to be!
The speedo bit is dubious as the MOT tester should check that MPH is displayed but you may get away with this if the MPH is in smaller digits on the dial. Dip left lights are required as is a fog light on the right side of the rear (one each side will suffice).

However as you say there is a question asking for the Date of registration original registration (Item 24) and one asking Date of Registration in the UK (Item 26) which does not apply to a vehicle that has never been registered in the UK.
There is also a question asking for the year of manufacture (Item 25) which they insist on being answered and usually evidence of that fact from the manufacturers is necessary for vehicles less than 25 years old unless the manufacturer no longer exists then a specialist motor club listed in the DVLA booklet V765/1 may be able to provide the service.

I deal with provision of dating information for owners of old vehicles to enable registration in the UK (Imported elderly vehicles) or confirmation of manufacturing date to enable owners to change the TAX class of their vehicle to 'Historic' when it's over forty years old. I'm listed in the V765/1 booklet under the Historic Volkswagen Club heading for this service. I have to provide evidence of source of data with every application.