Yanmar Ke3 Compact Tractor - Road Register

[Ian Walker]

Dear Farming Friends,

I'd be grateful for your help, support and guidance.

I'm trying to road register a Yanmar Ke-3 compact tractor (13.5 hp) Japanese foreign import. See attached photograph of the tractor.

So you’ve some basic background information. I purchased a Kanmar Ke-3 compact tractor from a UK dealer who has subsequently gone bust. I never received any technical documentation to maintain the tractor or technical specifications information either.

The DVLA require a V55/5 form to be completed which requires a "Type Approval" classification. I've gone around in circles trying to determine the type approval from VCA to HSE, and don't seem to get any responses.

I'd be truly grateful if someone in the forum could advice on "Type Approval" and how to complete the V55/5 form.

Thank you for your help.

Best regards,

Ian

 

[steveR]

Welcome to the joy that is DVLA, I can tell you now that consumption of your choice of poison (mine was Malt whiskey!) will go up in the coming weeks, Ian.... I took over 8 months registering an Italian bike where the UK Importer went bust and the paperwork was missing! I eventually sourced the necessary gumph from the new IUK mporters and the manufacturer in Italy.

First question, is there an official UK or European Importer for Yanmar about, as they will be your best source of info and documents?

You will possibly be needing a Certificate of Conformity, but maybe not relevant for an Agricultural vehicle. Have you proof that the import has had the Tax been paid by the Importer??

There are a couple of specialist companies who will handle the registration process for you, 2-300 quid as I recall, and with a tricky one, it might be money well spent. I did contact this guy with my problem, but he was too busy to assist me at thetime cos of Brexit fallout last year.

Help with Imported Vehicle and Classic Car Registration UK

Help and advice with imported vehicle & classic car registration. Help completing the HMRC & DVLA paperwork & applying for all documentation.

www.importedvehicleregistration.co.uk

 

[Highland Mule]

Word of warning: you’ll also need something called NOVA, which is a confirmation of import taxation of some sort. That may also be difficult to confirm, so best get started on that soon too.
Sorry I can’t help you with the CoC. I did a 6 year old Honda quad a while ago and it was reasonably easy with Honda’s help.

 

[MrNuts]

Hi Ian,
If the model was never "type approved" for use in europe the chances of getting it approved would be slim, Yanmar UK would be my first port of call but don't expect much help. For imported motor cars there is a process but whether that applies to machinery I don't know.
My only advice would be not to use it until you have the type approval sorted, as without it you risk having no insurance and liability for any issues would be on you, not the manufacturer.

Couple of links below.

https://www.yanmaragriculture.eu/

How much does it cost to import a car to the UK from Japan? - Andrew's Japanese Cars

Quick guide to the costs involved in importing a car from Japan.

andrewsjapanesecars.com

 

[Ian Walker]

Thank you all for your advice. I'm now getting a sour taste of what's involved when you purchase an imported tractor... OMG what a nightmare. I spoken to the Peter of imported vehicle registration and he's given me some pointers to work on.

His advise was to get the following doc's:

1. Japanese export certificate
2. C88 declaration of shipping
3. E2 payment schedule
4. NOVA number

I've contacted Yanmar and I'm still waiting a response.

Again, thank you.

Ian

 

[Highland Mule]

Do you need to take it on tarmac? Could still be a handy machine to have around the yard, even without number plates. I have plates on my quad but have never atually used it on road and hence have it SORN'd.

 

[Ian Walker]

Thanks. I hoping to help elderly people around village to plough/rotavate their garden patches. So it's handy tractor to squeeze in smalls gaps and will need to travel on the road from a to b...

 

[Highland Mule]

Great idea, and very benevolent of you. If you're stuck, it would probably fit on an Ifor P8 or similar (weight might require a braked trailer), at least officially. For very short journeys I'd be inclined to use the footpath/ grass verge.

 

[MrNuts]

Just to follow up on these comments, my point about its usage relates to all use, you will need to check with your insurance company that you are covered for any use, on and off road, of the machine that's not CE certified. Type approval covers many things (lights etc) but also safety items, roll bar (not all roll bars are equal) seat belts, safety switches. You need to check this as the liability if someone is injured would be quite severe.

 

[Highland Mule]

Just to follow up on these comments, my point about its usage relates to all use, you will need to check with your insurance company that you are covered for any use, on and off road, of the machine that's not CE certified. Type approval covers many things (lights etc) but also safety items, roll bar (not all roll bars are equal) seat belts, safety switches. You need to check this as the liability if someone is injured would be quite severe.

Good point. I had assumed that the vehicle would have CE marking and hence be "safe" for offroad use as assessed by compliance with the machinery directive. That should be enough for most insurers, I would imagine, but always best to check.

 

[MrNuts]

Yeah, the CE stamp means it has Type Approval.

 

[steveR]

Good point. I had assumed that the vehicle would have CE marking and hence be "safe" for offroad use as assessed by compliance with the machinery directive. That should be enough for most insurers, I would imagine, but always best to check.

But will need the CE or TA confirmation from the Manufacturer... Although experience is that they tend to be generic for a model, and teh CE certificate is in the Handbook. So if the OP can get hold of a handbook, it may well go some way to getting thing right and straight

 

[Davey]

Do you need to take it on tarmac? Could still be a handy machine to have around the yard, even without number plates. I have plates on my quad but have never atually used it on road and hence have it SORN'd.

Why bother putting it on SORN?

If its registered for Ag purposes there is no MOT or Tax to pay anyway?

Would be interesting to know if being SORN'd has any insurance implications as well (just a question I have no idea)?

 

[Highland Mule]

Why bother putting it on SORN?

If its registered for Ag purposes there is no MOT or Tax to pay anyway?

Would be interesting to know if being SORN'd has any insurance implications as well (just a question I have no idea)?

I don’t insure it.

 

[MrNuts]

But will need the CE or TA confirmation from the Manufacturer... Although experience is that they tend to be generic for a model, and teh CE certificate is in the Handbook. So if the OP can get hold of a handbook, it may well go some way to getting thing right and straight

If it was never originally imported into Europe by the manufacturer then it will not be CE certified, only machines marketed into Europe will have a CoC, these have the serial number of the machine on. So if sold into Japan originally it will have the legislation applied to the market it was sold into originally, and even if identical to what is sold into the EU it will still never have a CoC issued, as this is issued by the factory at the end of the production line.
European distributors don't care about grey imports because they never sold it originally, so it's not their problem (legally).

 

[steveR]

Maybe worth having a word* (quiet like) with one of the other Importers of these tractors, and see if they are selling them as CE machines...??





* As in, "yes, I am looking for one of these to use on my two holdings, is it road legal so I can use it on the road?"

 

[Netherfield]

Someone here as two to sell.

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[MrNuts]

Look like Japanese imports as well, going by the sticker on the bonnet in Japanese, worth an ask if they're have Type Approval and if they have how did they manage it, or it could be two more people ending up here in a few weeks.