Classic cars

How do you import a Lancia Fulvia to the UK?

Every Lancia Fulvia is now over 40 years old, as production ended in 1976. As the model is no longer in production, an original car can be imported at 0% duty and 5% import VAT as a collector’s vehicle, needs no vehicle approval, and can go into the historic tax class with nothing to pay once you apply. What decides it is originality, because the V4 is often tuned, and the paperwork, most often Italian.

Published 26 September 2026 · 6 min read

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1. Every Fulvia is over 40

Fulvia production ended in 1976 (Classics World), so every Fulvia, whether saloon, Coupé or Sport Zagato, is now more than 40 years old. As the model is no longer in production, an original car gets every benefit the UK gives an old vehicle:

• 0% duty and 5% import VAT as a collector's vehicle under heading 9705.
• No vehicle approval, as it is over 10 years old.
• The historic tax class, with nothing to pay, as it was built before 1 January 1986. You have to apply for it (GOV.UK).
• No MOT if it has no substantial changes, as it was built more than 40 years ago. You sign a V112 declaration instead.

A few dates help when you read an advert. The 1.6 HF with twin carburettors dates from 1968 and the Series 2 Coupé from 1969. The Sport Zagato was shown at the 1965 Turin show, gained a 1600 version in 1971 and ended in 1972 (H&H).

2. What can cost a Fulvia its collector's rate

The narrow-angle V4 is, in Classics World's words, easily upgraded: louder exhausts, bigger carburettors and hotter camshafts are common, and so are brake upgrades. Changes to the engine or brakes are exactly what the collector's definition looks at. A period-correct restoration is fine; a tuned engine may not be. Ask the seller for a list of what has been changed, and keep any original parts that come with the car.

3. Right-hand drive Fulvias

Unlike many Italian classics, the Fulvia was sold in the UK in right-hand drive. The Sport Zagato was built in right-hand drive in small numbers, around 80 thought to have been produced, all in UK Lusso specification (H&H), and right-hand drive Coupés do come up for sale. Most Fulvias you find in Italy will be left-hand drive, which is no obstacle to registering a car of this age.

4. Buying in Italy

You will meet two generations of Italian paperwork. Older sales use the certificato di proprietà (ownership) and the carta di circolazione, the "libretto". Since 1 January 2020 the Documento Unico replaces both, but the old documents stay valid until the next transaction on the car (ACI). Many Fulvias also carry an ASI certificate, the Italian Certificato di Rilevanza Storica e Collezionistica. It is useful evidence of originality but it is an Italian document, not a UK one. Our Italy guide covers deregistration and transport.

5. Dating the car for the DVLA

The DVLA uses the original foreign registration document to date an import, and accepts a dating certificate if it is missing (GOV.UK). A dating certificate can also record how the car left the factory, and we obtain it for you. With the date proven, the car gets an age-related number plate.