Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Jonnie · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

Hi,
I've been looking for a little 125 bike to restore & have found some interesting 1940's French stuff & would quite like to buy one as I think they are a little different to the usual bantams etc.
Does anyone know how you would go about registering one in the UK? Is it expensive or complicated?
I would appreciate any advice or information.
cheers,
Jon

Ironhead · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 458 Location: Leicestershire

no idea on registering Jonnie.is the French stuff cheaper than Bantams and the like?
and is that an Albion in your avatar?

Jonnie · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

I'm not sure about prices, I just love the hard tail, hand change gearbox, girder forks & style of them, plus it's something's little different to take to shows etc!
Yes, My avatar is an Albion chieftain that we restored a few years back, it was a lovely lorry but we sold it on to fund other projects.
Jonnie

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

I imagine it will be similar to when I imported my Peugeot van from France....

First you have to get it road worthy and MOT'd to start with on the chassis number....

Then take (send) all your papers with PROOF OF AGE to DVLA who will choose an age related plate for you and issue road tax at the same time.

Cost for my van was about £80 iirc.

It was this proof of age thing that tripped me up, I ended up having to join L'aventure Peugeot club in Paris, because Peugeot UK were no help whatsoever. They identified my van from it's chassis number and issued a very official looking document which the DVLA were very impressed with.

Of course since then the DVLA have closed local offices?

If you choose to buy a Peugeot I can put you in touch with the club.

Steve

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

If its pre 1960 it wont need an MOT, as Steve points out its proof of age that the DVLA are interested in, so its French registration doc would be acceptable. If you can't prove the age they will issue a Q plate Sad

Dave

Jonnie · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

Thank you for the replies, talking to someone this morning who said "without French paperwork I won't be able to register a bike in this country anyway"!
Is that right?
Jonnie

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22442 Location: UK

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Here is the document I had from France which the DVLA accepted

(critical details obscured)

And here is the one they WOULD NOT accept

Hope this helps

Jonnie · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

Thanks for the information, I bit the bullet and bought a little bike in need of a bit of restoration this week, it has a bit of paperwork so I guess I'll find out all about registering it!
I can post some pics of it if anyone's interested.
Cheers,
Jon

ka · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 600 Location: Orkney.

Dating Service.
The VMCC has a full dating service to give the information the DVLA require to give an age related number plate.
The system has increased in complexity no end since the amalgamation of local DVLA Offices into a centralised system at Swansea, also the various agencies carrying the dating process have to be recognised by the DVLA as competent. The V765 scheme is best left to the experts.
Regardless of the fact that the bike is pre-1960, I am sure it will require an MOT to establish the record on the electronic system.
I am also sure their will be tax, maybe VAT implications attached to the import process, and have read in the past few days an article relating to this, and the fact that the onus is on the importer, with a hefty fine if not complied with.
_________________
KA

Better three than four.

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Jonnie · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

Photo's as promised...
Here's the bike as purchased last Tuesday [img]

[/img]
We had it running soon after getting it home and completely stripped it.
Here's a pic of it at the start of reassembly this evening
[img]

I'll put a finished pic when I get it all together,
Jonnie[/img]

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Wow that's quick work Cool

looking much better already

Jonnie · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

We had the bike running again today, I have a slight prob with a woodruff key on gear linkage which I will sort tomorrow. Other than that it seems fine..
[img]

Next stop VMCC and DVLA ......
Jonnie

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22442 Location: UK

Talking to someone today, they mentioned that cars shipped from France would now require a NOVA (Notification Of Vehicle Arrival) before registration at DVLA. Previously I don't think this was the case. Perhaps someone has recent experience of this?

Vehicles brought in some time ago from outside the EU, where a 386 was issued by HMRC to confirm that duty was paid, also now need a NOVA before they can be registered, if registration has yet to be done.

RJ
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