2015 A3 8V Japanese import for DVLA MOT

[bennyg07]

Hi all,

I'm very new here so apologies if this is a topic asked over and over again. 

 

My partner purchased a 2015 Audi A3 8V back in 2022 from a dealer in Dublin Ireland. It's a Japanese import. No bother with it all. 

 

Since then, she's relocated to Belfast Northern Ireland and we're trying to re-register the car. I've gone through all the HMRC stuff and the car should be ready for MOT. 

 

However, DVLA require a certificate of conformity for vehicles under 10 years old coming from the EU. (Irish market doesn't require this or IVA test certificates so the dealer doesn't have 1)

Ideally I would just contact the manufacturer in the country of export but I'm having real trouble getting a hold of Audi Japan (given language and time barrier)

 

Anyone on here have any idea how I could get a certificate of conformity or equivalent document to say the car is built to equivalent spec as EU/UK? Can certainly provide more info if required. 

I've upgraded the speedo to read mph and it does have rear fog lights so I feel this certificate is all that's holding me back from putting it through MOT for registration. 

 

Failing all this, my only option would be to put it through an IVA test which just feels like hassle. 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Magnet]

Welcome Benny,

I wouldn’t bother trying to make any contact with Audi in Japan. Send an e-mail to Audi Customer Services U.K. and seek advice there re a C of C. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[bennyg07]

Thanks Gareth, I may have to. It was actually DVLA customer service that directed me to this audi owners club. 

 

Must be one of our members lol. 

 

Will try audi UK tomorrow and see what they say. So frustrating. 

 

[Steve Q]

Send an email asking for a certificate of conformity to: 

cocrequests@vwg.co.uk

[bennyg07]

Hi Steve, thanks for the advice. 

 

Tried that also and this was their reply

 

"Please be advised a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is not available for vehicles that have been manufactured for countries outside the EU; instead, you will need to obtain a statement of compliance from the country of origin. Japan."

 

not a whole load of use to me as it's nearly impossible for me to get in contact with audi japan. 

and even if I did, and managed to get some sort of comparable certificate, i just found out that the dealer in dublin submitted the original export certificate to the Irish revenue to register the vehicle. I contacted the Irish revenue and they said they only keep the export certificates for 6 months before disposing of them. Their advice was to contact the Japanese vehicles revenue service...

absolute madness. 

 

It's a mess folks. Only reasonable option now for me is to sell the audi down in ireland and use the money to buy 1 up here 😩 as can't get it registered.  Crazy!

[Magnet]

Hello Benny,

Sorry to hear that. 
Another option to consider:- 

Find a ‘volume’ importer of specialist vehicles on EBay:- example - Nissan Elgrandes are regularly imported from Japan, as are many of the low mileage Jaguar XJs - X350 models. These folks will know the ropes and may be prepared to give you some useful contact details. 
Worth a try, in my book.

Perhaps you would let us know how you get on. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[bennyg07]

Thanks folks, will try this and see. 

 

Appreciate the advice! And will let you know the end outcome

 

Thanks.