Malta - British Expat Forum

It seems that from April 1 Transport Malta are adding yet another documentary requirement to the process of importing a used vehicle. According to an official notice in today’s Times of Malta

“All used M1 vehicles (motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and comprising no more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat) brought into Malta from another EU member state on or after 1st April 2011), to be registered in Malta shall be covered by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by a body approved by Transport Malta showing the vehicle’s authentic odometer reading. The said Certificate of Authenticity shall be presented to Transport Malta for the purpose of registering such vehicles in Malta.”

As yet there’s nothing on the web site but no doubt there will be a charge for this Certificate. Perhaps it’s an April Fool joke!

Typical, the EU is discussing standardising/simplifying the import process between member states and Malta decides to increase the red tape instead

Having spoken to some locals, 'clocking' speedos and 'ringer' vehicles seem to be quite common here, especially on high tax cars like 4x4s.
(Ringers are vehicles which have the number plates, etc, switched from a similar car)

Maybe the authorities are trying to limit this.

As ever, things get even more confusing. The “how to” website link has been updated http://www.transport.gov.mt/mediacenter/PDFs/1_19400%20TM%20ON-LINE%20VEHICLE%20REGISTRATION%20AD%2028X4.pdf but the approved body to undertake the odometer reading is given as a UK company based in Surrey. Bizarre!

[edit: new link is
http://www.transport.gov.mt/admin/mediacenter/PDFs/1_Information%20Notice%20to%20Register%20Used%20Vehicles%20coming%20from%20EU.pdf ]

from the link

How to register a used vehicle brought into Malta from an EU Member State

STEP 1: Log onto the website www.vehicleregistration.gov.mt to obtain the value of the registration tax due. The valuation will need to be printed out to be presented to the Authority.

STEP 2: Book an appointment with the Transport Malta by calling on 2123 3029 between 7.30 and 15.00 Monday to Friday.

STEP 3: On the appointment day, take the vehicle to the Land Transport Directorate, Technical Unit, Hornworks Ditch, Floriana, Technical Unit in Floriana. Individuals will be required to present the valuation document printed from the website in STEP 1, and the Original Registration Certificate (log book) of the vehicle.

STEP 4: Proceed to the Land Transport Directorate, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit, Hornworks Ditch, Floriana, between 7.30 & 12.00, Monday to Friday with the following documents:
• Valuation document endorsed by the Technical Unit
• Application Form VEH 01 & VEH 02 (downloadable from
www.transport.gov.mt/Land Transport/Motor Vehicles/Registration and Importation
• Original Notice of Arrival (ferry ticket or freight note) of the vehicle confirming vehicle number
• Original Foreign Registration Certificate (log book) signed by the foreign owner and by the buyer
• Valid VRT Passed Test Certificate (issued by a local VRT Station) which is valid for 90 days from date of issue
• Valid local Insurance Policy in whose name the vehicle will be registered
• Both foreign plates
• Pay charges: !35 Inspection fee, !10 Registration fee, Annual Circulation Fee and the Registration Tax (Cash, Bank Draft or Credit Card or Debit Card or bank guarantee only. Personal cheques exceeding !500 are not accepted)
• For private (M1) vehicles brought into Malta as of the 1st April 2011, or thereafter an Odometer Certificate of Authenticity issued by a body approved by the Authority showing the vehicle’s authentic odometer reading.
• Approved Body : JEVIC UK LTD.
Building 46, Dunsfold Park, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8TB, United Kingdom.
Tel: UK +(44)-01483-276900 Tel: Malta +(356)-35505155.
Fax: +(44)-01483-331701/273250. Email: info@jevic.co.uk
All the above documents must be submitted. Failure to present anyone of the above documents at initiation stage will require individuals to start from scratch. The registration of vehicles entering into Malta is a process required by law. Until registration is effected, the vehicle cannot be driven on the road. An administration fee of !30 per day including weekends will apply if the vehicle is not registered within 20 days.

mmm... doesn't say JEVIC are the only approved body, but I believe they the company who verify the odometer of cars coming from Japan to Malta. Maybe they will add other companies to the list ??

From JEVIC website "Odometer verifications can be completed in Japan, Singapore and New Zealand for world wide destinations. "

ah - http://jevic.co.jp/en/activities/regulatory-inspections/malta/

Transport Malta has mandated that all M1 class of vehicles are required to have their odometers verified prior to register and licensing in Malta from 1st April 2011.

M1: Passenger vehicles carrying not more than 8 passengers

The odometer verification will be completed by an approved body (JEVIC) and will be accompanied by an Odometer Certificate of Authenticity.

Vehicles entering Malta from United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland and Ireland will not be granted Registration or License from 1st April 2011 without an accompanying Odometer Certificate of Authenticity

At the bottom of the link is a form for booking an inspection.

I suspect the EU won't like this one bit

http://jevic.co.jp/en/activities/regulatory-inspections/malta/Documents/Transport%20Malta_Letter.pdf

"the verification doesn't involve a physical inspection" then follows on that a test isnt required if give other info - service records, MOT certs (which contradicts the text from the link)

OK looks like more paperwork, but not necessarily a big deal, assuming the letter is correct

My vehicle left the UK in February but still hasn't been registered as I'm currently awaiting Ministry of Finance decision on exemption, which is unlikely to be taken before April 1. I guess they won't have thought about people caught in this predicament and it'll be down to interpretation of the regulations by Transport Malta but I have a bad feeling about it!

letter says brought into Malta on or after April 1st - isn't your vehicle in Malta already ?

You’re right. How could I have doubted the Maltese authorities. The letter states:

“Used vehicles brought into Malta before the 1st April 2011, but registered after that date, will not need an Odometer Certificate. In such circumstances and in order not to present a JEVIC certificate, licensed dealers or individuals will have to submit a Notice of Arrival to confirm that the vehicle has been brought into Malta before 1st April 2011.”

Happy days!

I see the fees for this certificate are £28.50 + VAT or €34.00 + VAT.

All cars from outside EU already have to have this

Yeah but they're back to the old argument that the EU is supposed to allow free movement of people and goods within its borders.

This is great news, might stop the dealers bringing in all the auction bargains and renovating them.