Q Can I import a motorhome from Germany?

We purchased our current motorhome in Germany many years before Brexit. I understand that the rules have changed. Is MMM going to publish any information for subscribers on this subject in the future please, as it did some years ago prior to the UK exiting the EU?

William Phillips

A I believe the problem with importing a motorhome from the EU in the future will be Type Approval.

Over the next few years GB Type Approval is coming in. For a vehicle to be registered in GB it will have to have GB Type Approval.

At present there is a system of provisional GB and UK (NI) Type Approvals operating based on the standards prevailing at the time of Brexit. Currently the UK (NI) Type Approval is recognised for use in Northern Ireland and GB.

A specific scheme currently exists to import individual motorhomes from the EU by completing a VCA form MR-004 REV06, titled Application for GB conversion IVA – Motorhomes (Google VCA FORM MR-004). This IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) details the requirements much as before of needing confirmation of the correct status of headlight alignment, speedometer read-out and rear fog light positioning.

The IVA procedure is valid for motorhomes less than 10 years of age based on date of first registration, and has a European Certificate of Conformity, with 51 or 52 numbered items, that shows the vehicle was not built to the UK specification at the time of build.

There are of course other factors now that Brexit has happened. One change appears to be for secondhand vehicles. One company specialising in importing cars for individuals states on its website that, if you have bought a vehicle in the EU and import it into the UK, you will pay 20% import duty if the vehicle is under 30 years of age and 5% VAT if over 30 years old. This is calculated on your purchase price and any transport costs to the UK.

Further information on importing vehicles into the UK can be found on gov.uk/importing-vehicles-intothe-uk

Barry Norris