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MG MGA - Registering coupe in the UK

Hi,

I am just finishing a long restoration of my '57 coupe and cant wait to get driving. However I have just spent about 1 hour on the DVLA website trying to understand how to register the car. Has anybody been through this that could give me some advice as to what forms I need and what tests it needs to have (SVA?? IVA?? ??)

The car was imported from the US and I bought it as a restoration job from the importer so it has never been registered in the UK. I want to get a log book and an age related plate (not a Q plate) I have the import papers and a heritage certificate and all the numbers for the car (chassis, engine etc). I understand I need to get it MOT'd first but after that what do I need to do?

Any help would be greatly apprciated.

Regards,

Ian
I E Mitchell

You need to contact your local DVLA office. They will supply you with the documents, a V55/5 I think. They may then at their discretion inspect the car. This is not an engineering inspection, it is purely to satisfy them that the car is what you say it is. Be prepared to give them documentary proof of the year of manufacture, a copy of the Heritage certificate and probably a photo of the chassis plate should do. If you have fitted a new chassis plate I hope you have kept the original, no matter how tatty, as this is good proof that you haven't just made the number up. They are basically trying to stop people fiddling tax free status. You will also probably need the certificate of import tax having been paid.

You then need to arrange insurance using the chassis number and get an MoT test done. You can drive to a pre-arranged test with no number plates. Then you have to send off the MoT certificate, insurance and the fee, which was £55, and you will get back a registration document with an appropriate age related registration number. I don't think the system has gone electronic yet.

SVA and IVA tests do not apply, they are mainly for modified and Kit cars.

Your local DVLA office will be quite used to doing all this. If an inspection is required be prepared for a few days/weeks wait according to their workload. If you go to the DVLA office in person be prepared for a wait.

I have over the years registered three cars. The best was an interesting time at the DVLA office waiting behind two Italians with very little English who wanted to import an ice cream van.
Malcolm Asquith

Bit long ago for me to remember the precise details (1998). Malcolm is probably more up to speed.

Looking at my documents, I seems to remember taking a registration form (V55/5?)to the local licensing office along with the forms 'Motor Vehicles Brought Permanently into the UK' (C&E 386); the Heritage Certificate; MOT; an initial registration administration payment (£25 then); and an Insurance Certificate. 20 minutes later I had a number plate and tax disc. I had no choice in the number plate. At that time they were getting rid of unused Scottish age related plates mine is PSJ).

Steve
Steve Gyles

it sounds like malcolm has the subject covered ian, you maybe also ought to contact bob west as he must have imported very many cars that had never been registered in the uk and he must know the process by heart.
let me know when you are up and running as i cant be too far away from you here in doncaster.
cheers
colyn
colyn firth

This thread was discussed on 06/09/2009

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