SWMBO has expressed an interest in a Mitsubishi Spacewagon Ovation (to replace our existing Spacewagon) with a OIW prefix on the registration plate. Are these legal in the UK and does anybody know of any pitfalls in buying an ex Irish motor ?
I'm not particually bothered about resale as it is pretty cheap and wont be worth much by the time she's abused it ...:-)
Thanks P
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perfectly legal and i cant really think of any reason why not as this is an ulster registration so it's still a uk car and remember the plate is worth a few quid when it comes to resale...cheers...keo
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ps i think OIW is county down registration ... not positive though...cheers...keo
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Yeah they are legal. Mine begins VJI. Some very kind person who I can't remember told me where that was from and there was also a website detailing it. I can't remember now though.
Sorry but at least you know it's legal.
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Adam
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Is it OIW1234 or similar (perfectly legal, Ulster registered and I think the Swansea DVLA will swap it) or is it as I first read it a Southern Irish 01W1234 registration?
(That would be an EU import and have to be re-registered, just as it would if the car were from France or wherever, albeit at least it's right hand drive).
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No DavidHM there is no 01 W 1234. Would have to be WW (Wicklow) or WX (Wexford). Will be an OIW plate - mid ninties plate - guessing 94 - 95?
Regards,
Leon
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As has already been said - this is a Northern Ireland plate, more specifically a county Londonderry reg.
I am assuming this motor has spent some time in Northern Ireland and not that someone has bought the plate and affixed it to a UK motor.
If your motor is diesel I would pay some attention to the fuel system. We have more than our fair share of laundered fuel across here. Some respectable looking forecourts are pumping a blend of diesel, sulphuric acid, parafin, water and other nasties into your tank to make a fast profit. These stations are usually conspicuously advertised with a big sign reading genuine diesel, quality tested and a price on the pump at 15p below supermarket prices.
On a plus point Derry / Londonderry city is within striking distance of the republic of ireland, where for a long time fuel has been cheaper therefore people have taken a short drive across and filled up. I guess if the rest of the car has been well maintained the owner is unlikey to have opted for the "cheap" diesel offers.
Hope this helps,
Leon
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sorry leon i get this as a belfast registration just done a search and got it from a lotus club site . either way its legal ...cheers...keo
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According to "Car registrations in the British Isles" book by Peter Robson IW was issued in Londonderry area or more recently from Coleraine office. Its legal over here, because i had a Pug 205 from Armagh from a relative (SIB 1097).
But 1 snag thou, some insurance companies might not cover you because they might think you have an import!!!! (Privalege being 1 ov them!)
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Its not what you drive, its how you drive it! :-)
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Coach operators and undertakers often register their vehicles in NI in order to avoid an age related plate.
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might be because i am getting OI as a belfast registration didn't know you done it as IW.... sorry... keo
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Probably an English registered car than someone has transferred a 'dateless' Northern Irish reg onto.
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Yep more likely an English car that has had a dateless plate registered to it.
Cartainly mine was on the old Supra (god rest its soul), MIL, I sold it to a Mr. Milton for a few bob when it went to the great scrapheap in the sky.
Seen OIL on several cars, I'd be calling Lord Browne if I had that one, go well on the chauffeured Jag...
OIW not so obvious but who knows?
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cheapest OIW plate for sale from speedyreg is coming in at £285 or pennies less (all in transfer included) so imagine it must be a reasonably sought after combination, so worth something when you get rid of it...cheers...keo
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The reg companies are expensive. Buy on Ebay, much cheaper.
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The reg companies are expensive. Buy on Ebay, much cheaper. i totally agree Thommo, was only using this for an idea as speedyreg do irish plates from about £160 ish (all included). thought it a reasonable guide for resale of vehicle if he plans to sell it on eventually it's got to be worth something for the plate alone, i might even be interested when he comes to get rid of it, just for the plate...cheers...keo
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Thanks Folks, think I will take a closer look, for some reason I had it in my head that this was a car from the Republic.
But I'll check out whether its had a 'dateless plate' stuck on it, that would never have occured to me.
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Big trade in Northern Irish numbers. Yes the cars are part of the UK but if I brought one over from England to Northern ireland it is termed as 'exported'. Curious or what?
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As with any car, a quick look at the first page of the service book will reveal who the supplying dealer was and whether the car is an import or not. Number plates and V5's are no reliable indicator.
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