Anyone thinking of importing a second-hand car should put the plans on hold as Brussels will be unveiling proposals aimed at slashing the costs and bureaucracy involved in registering cars across EU member states.

The European Commission wants to make it as easy as possible for citizens and companies to move and register cars across borders

The 2009 vehicle registration regime and lower taxes enforced by the EU have seen Malta’s roads flooded with second-hand vehicles imported from the UK at a fraction of the cost.

This trend is expected to soar after Brussels yesterday launched formal proposals aimed at streamlining the EU’s internal market where re-registration of cars is involved.

“The Commission wants to make it as easy as possible for citizens and companies to move and register cars across borders in the EU,” Commission president José Manuel Barroso said, aware of the hundreds of complaints received on this issue every month.

“Greatly simplified rules for cross-border car registration and a substantial reduction of administrative burden will bring us a step closer to a smooth functioning Single Market, our engine for growth and jobs,” he said.

According to the Commission, each year, EU citizens and companies move about 3.5 million vehicles to another member state and get them registered in line with national legislation. Due to the various complicated national regimes involved, it takes, on average, five weeks to complete the procedure and the cost is estimated at €400. Commission vice president Antonio Tajani, who gave details of the proposals, said the draft rules should lead to a very substantial administrative simplification with total savings of at least € 1.5 billion a year for businesses, citizens and registration authorities.

Re-registration of vehicles coming from another EU country will be limited. For example, citizens who work in another EU country using a car registered by their employer will not need to re-register it. This will be particularly relevant for Malta as it would make importing second-hand cars all that much easier.

Importation of second-hand cars will be easier

Citizens who buy or sell a second-hand car in another EU country will not have to face additional technical controls and administrative problems because original technical controls certified abroad will be recognised by Malta’s transport authorities.

The Commission’s proposal also introduces a temporary registration of 30 days so that a second-hand car can be easily driven to its new owner. There will be no changes when selling cars within a member state.

Car dealers who sell cars in another member state will be able to use a professional registration for short drives across EU borders.

In general, the proposal includes the removal of generally administrative formalities for the re-registration of cars, vans, buses and trucks within the EU.

It will also become impossible to register a stolen car in another member state.

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