A further update on our imported Passat. No issues at all, everything is running spot on as it was when we purchased it. I have however managed to resolve a minor inconvenience with car insurance websites not finding our registration plate (it's due for renewal so I started searching around a week ago).
It's worth stating that I don't know if this should have been done by the DVLA, or the dealership that imported our vehicle.
First I contacted the DVLA, as I'd wrongly assumed this is where the insurance companies would pull the registration plate from. They told me they sell the data to various 'bulk data companies' but would not tell me which companies unless I submitted a freedom of information request (despite them admitting it was public information anyway).
I contacted one company (MIB) who couldn't help me, but explained the process a bit. There is a DVLA Bulk Data Set document which lists all the data sharing companies at the bottom, these companies buy the data from the DVLA, and I gather then sell it to the various car insurance companies.
I sent the same email to all of them requesting if our car could be added to the database.
One of the companies advised me to contact Thatcham, as they are primarily responsible for linking all the vehicle data to an insurance ABI code (which is what the data sharing companies use and share with the insurance companies when you type your reg in on the insurance website)
All of the replies I had wanted the details below, so probably best to add it in with your initial email.
Make:
Model:
Transmission:
Number of forward gears:
Fuel Type:
Engine size (CC):
Body Shape (Saloon, convertible for example)
Number of doors:
Drive Type (FWD, RWD, AWD):
Power (KW or BHP):
Seating capacity:
Email address for Thatcham, and the data sharing companies below that wanted the car details and ABI code (the others either didn't reply or told me they weren't relevant for insurance websites)
Customer.enquiries@thatcham.org, businessuk@experian.com, enquiry@infopro-digital.com, help@ukvehicledata.co.uk
DVLA Bulk Data.pdf