Unit 5: questions answered!
What’s the best-seller for Unit 5? “Without a doubt the Yamaha DT125R is our number one seller,” says Tony. “This is down to lots of factors. Firstly Yamaha made the model for well over 10 years. From 1988 until 2004 Yamaha had a DT-R in their range. They also sold an electric start option. Plenty of the 155 bikes we’ve sold so far had these fitted. We’ve sold them to youngsters to use on L-plates but also middle-aged riders who’ve never done their bike test. They are also really popular with the motorhome community who stick them on the back of their campers. They are all full power with fully working YPVS fitted.”
Who buys your bikes? “Anyone and everyone,” shrugs Tony. “We sell bikes from our Facebook page and sometimes they’ll sell within an hour of posting. Most of the bikes are purchased and collected in vans or on trailers, but every so often a customer will commission us to get it MOT’D and road ready. We supply plenty of other traders who will register and resell them at a profit; we have no problems with this because they then return to buy a few more. Some bikes even end up going back to the continent. We sold a Gag bike to a guy in Paris, we even delivered it during a trip to buy French stock.”
What’s the downside of imported bikes? “The biggest thing is the lack of history on bike from Japan, most don’t even arrive with keys,” says Tony. “Many Japanese imports arrive non-running. We have to buy them in an as is condition, we haven’t had too many issues though, other than fresh fuel, plugs, and oil they’ll all start up with no worries.” What’s involved in registering an import? “The important thing is to make sure your imported bike comes with a NOVA certificate. This is confirmation of when and who imported it. Lots of part time traders aren’t keen on giving their details to the HMRC. Their bikes might be a bit cheaper but without the NOVA you face an uphill struggle. A NOVA should be applied-for within two weeks of a bike being imported. Don’t worry though, if for some reason you don’t get around to it for six months, the HMRC will issue you with one, but they’ll also charge you £5 a day late application fee. The only other paperwork that you’ll need is an MOT certificate. Once you’ve got that you just need to tax the bike and return your paperwork to the DVLA. All in, you’re looking at around £100 to get the bike UK registered.”
Where do you see it all going? “Who knows?” Tony says. “It’s all down to global economics really, and supply and demand. At the moment Japanese imports are just about worthwhile, but it wouldn’t take too much to tip the balance. Euro imports are the bulk of what we do, we’d love to buy more bikes from Switzerland but because they’re non-eu it’s a nightmare. Shame because their bikes are usually stunning! Come back and see us next year, I’ll tell you more then.”