INFO on purchasing my first early bay

[Deakin]

Hello Guys & ladys

Been looking for my first early bay now for some time and like many first time buyers looked at quite a few. However i need your expert help on this particular van that i have seen.

For a start i sort of know the guy that is selling the van as the guy has done some work for me before and came across then and again now as a genuine guy so i have no real doubt what he is saying is true. The camper is a 1971 westy was imported end of 2007 the condition is as most ive looked at (needs quite a bit of work). Here is the bit i need help with its been sitting in this guys yard for 4 years and was ment to be having some work done to it when the guy who owned the van business went bust teh guy who is now selling it made countless calls to the owner to collect the van but over the 4 years he didnt collect it and due to cost owning to the guy who is now selling he got solictor's involved and now legally owns the van. He has import paperwork from when it was imported and has the paperwork from the solictor's.

What i need to know is anyone had a similar story and is there anything else i need to ask or know or look for

As always your info is greatly appreciated

J Deakin

 

[mister]

Was it a US bus?

You need the title (pink slip), import docs, MOT, and maybe a letter of conformity / birth certificate from VW to confirm the age for age related number plates. Thats what I had to register mine. The DVLA didn't ask about ownership, just presumed that it was mine as I had the documentation.

You could pop into your local office to clarify "hypothetically"

 

[Deakin]

Thanks for your help yes it is a California import and registered there in 1971

Thanks again

 

[Deakin]

Also if i do purchase the van if has usa plates on it at the moment do you keep them on and can you drive the van with them or do you have to register the van for new uk plates

Thanks

 

[Cali_bay]

Also if i do purchase the van if has usa plates on it at the moment do you keep them on and can you drive the van with them or do you have to register the van for new uk plates

Thanks

From what I can remember with mine, your can drive a vehicle to and from a Pre-booked MOT test station as long as it is insured with or without plates. But you have to wait until it is registered before you can tax it and drive it on the road.

When you have it MOT'd you can apply for the registration, but they may require to see it to check its VIN plates. You cannot officially drive it to this inspection, you need to get it transported there (as I found out).


Hope this helps.

 

[Deakin]

Thanks once again

 

[Graham L]

Also if i do purchase the van if has usa plates on it at the moment do you keep them on and can you drive the van with them or do you have to register the van for new uk plates

Thanks

No its illegal as the vehicle has never held a UK MOT or EU Equivilant, thats why you are not allowed to drive them away from the port,