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THE COST of grey imports is set to soar this year as tougher tests are launched for cars entering the UK from outside Europe.
Anyone buying a non-EU car will have to put it through a more difficult version of the current Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test.
The new rules come into force on 1 August, and importers warn the average cost of a test will rocket from £250 to up to £1500 per car.
"This extra cost will inevitably be passed on to the consumer," says Richard Moore of the importers' group the British Independent Motor Trade Association.
"We are extremely disappointed. This is bad news for consumers: it adds another layer of red tape, making it more expensive and difficult to bring in cheaper, more interesting niche cars."
Moore predicts higher SVA costs will reduce the number of grey imports entering the UK from 25,000 in 2000 to 20,000 this year.
The tougher SVA will bring new tests on steering, emissions, security, seatbelts, brakes and noise.
CAP Grey Book editor Robert Hester says tougher SVA tests will help make grey imports more accepted by British buyers.
"These regulations are set to make imports a safer investment, but the developments will come at a price."
Grey imports are sourced from outside Europe - often Japan - whereas parallel imports are from within the EU.
The following is on the BIMTA Site http://www.bimta.co.uk/default.asp
Anyone buying a non-EU car will have to put it through a more difficult version of the current Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test.
The new rules come into force on 1 August, and importers warn the average cost of a test will rocket from £250 to up to £1500 per car.
"This extra cost will inevitably be passed on to the consumer," says Richard Moore of the importers' group the British Independent Motor Trade Association.
"We are extremely disappointed. This is bad news for consumers: it adds another layer of red tape, making it more expensive and difficult to bring in cheaper, more interesting niche cars."
Moore predicts higher SVA costs will reduce the number of grey imports entering the UK from 25,000 in 2000 to 20,000 this year.
The tougher SVA will bring new tests on steering, emissions, security, seatbelts, brakes and noise.
CAP Grey Book editor Robert Hester says tougher SVA tests will help make grey imports more accepted by British buyers.
"These regulations are set to make imports a safer investment, but the developments will come at a price."
Grey imports are sourced from outside Europe - often Japan - whereas parallel imports are from within the EU.
The following is on the BIMTA Site http://www.bimta.co.uk/default.asp
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