Vehicles With Diplomatic Plates

[Strong Eagle]

I've seen a couple of cars for sale that are currently registered as diplomatic vehicles. The price is way cheap. So, if I were to buy one of these cars, what would be the process and fees? Do I have to pay ARF? COE? Help appreciated.

[ksl]

I've seen a couple of cars for sale that are currently registered as diplomatic vehicles. The price is way cheap. So, if I were to buy one of these cars, what would be the process and fees? Do I have to pay ARF? COE? Help appreciated.

I don't believe they are available to civilians, only diplomats and servicemen. Although i found a loop hole in the late 70's in Europe, so there maybe a loop hole here too.


That's how I first got into importing and exporting of cars in Europe. The loop hole to qualify in Europe was, the vehicle had to be purchased and driven in the foreign Country to be exempt duty, duty was only payable if the car was sold within a 3 year period. This allowed diplomats and servicemen to buy cheap. But not civilians.

So I had my solicitor draw up a power of attorney to represent clients in UK, then I advertised, they paid a deposit and the cars where put on order, with full payment on arrival. I just included a free long weekend trip in the price, to the customer, to pick up his vehicle, to fulfil the custom requirements. It was duty free providing they didn't sell the vehicle within 3 years. but the owner had to drive the vehicle on foreign soil.

The main importance was put on the type approval numbers, for reregistration, many dealers would not supply it. I eventually worked direct with the manufacturer, and they gave me a 5% discount too. The dealers became very upset.

It soon caught on and the next thing even dealers where doing it on the side.

I guess more research is needed in Singapore, for any loop holes, although i have looked into exporting from here, to UK, but its not really worth it.

Japan is better for used cars that go through Ireland, then to the UK.

[bruinbear]

If there are any loopholes, I think the Singapore Govt. would have closed it. All you need is your neighbour to complain to some authority that you are driving a car with a diplomatic plate.

[evaristonunes]

Where can I see such diplomatic vehicles on sale?

[ecureilx]

Where can I see such diplomatic vehicles on sale?

Wonder why ?

[PNGMK]

Where can I see such diplomatic vehicles on sale?

Wonder why ?

They tend not to be sold IME but passed from officer to officer and then scrapped / exported at end of life or exported when an officer can take it home at the end of his tour. It's not a readily accessible market for the publci.