Owning a car from outside the UK can be quite an experience, not least getting it over here in the first place. But what happens once that import has run its course and it’s time to send it on one final journey to the scrap yard? Well, it might not be as tough as you thought. Let us take you through all you need to know.
If you know that you need to get rid of your broken car as soon as possible, and want to make the process as simple as it can be, then you need go no further than right here at Scrap Car Comparison. Our team is waiting on the end of the phone for you to get in touch and will be able to find you the very best price in as little as 60 seconds. Get started today to see just how much your car could be worth.
Driving a foreign car in the UK
Let’s start with the first port of call – how do you go about getting a foreign car on UK roads in the first place? Well, to start with it depends on how long you intend on driving it here. If you’re only here for a visit (under 6 months) and your car is registered and taxed in its home country, then you won’t need to go through any paperwork in the UK at all.
However, if you’re intending to live in the UK, or are bringing a car over for the rest of its life, then you’ll need to officially import it.
- Tell HMRC within 14 days of the car entering the country.
- Pay VAT and duty if told to do so
- Get vehicle approval to ensure the car meets both the environmental and safety requirements.
- Register and tax the car with the DVLA, and fit new number plates accordingly.
These steps can also be achieved by paying an importer to do the paperwork for you. As with every car, you will need to arrange insurance before it can be driven in the UK.
Can You scrap an imported car?
Absolutely! If you’ve gone through the import process and the car is now officially registered in the UK, then it’s no different to scrapping a car that was registered here in the first place. For the easiest way to get this sorted, just call one of our advisors and they’ll be able to hook you up with the very best offer in just a matter of moments!
Can you scrap a ‘temporary import’?
A temporary import refers to one of those cars previously mentioned that are driving on British roads for under six months and still taxed and registered in their own country. What happens if you need to scrap a car that falls under this category will depend entirely on the country in which it is registered and what regulations need to be adhered to.
You will also need to make sure that the country in question is informed once the vehicle has been destroyed, so you will need to ensure you are given a Certificate of Destruction once the vehicle has been scrapped and recycled accordingly. Failure to do so means that the motoring governing body of your car’s home country will not be aware, and you could face further fines as time wears on.
Can I keep my foreign number plate?
Once again, this will depend on what country your car comes from. In some cases, you may be required to remove the number plates before it is scrapped and send them back to your country’s equivalent of the DVLA. If your foreign import is struggling to keep itself going and putting it out of its misery is the only real option available to you, then you’re in the right place with Scrap Car Comparison.
By using our service you’re guaranteed to get the very best price as scrap or salvage, no matter the condition of your car and with both buyers and collection agents serving 99% of all UK postcodes, you’re never too far away from a competitive quote. Get started today and see just how much your old car could be worth.
