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[mkaminski100]

I was looking for a cheap car for my wife. Friend of mine offered me his car almost for free but it’s not TAXed or MOTed. Some bits need attention so I want to declare it SORN and fix it. I need to bring this car to my garage but don’t know how.
First idea is to pay somebody to do it, but I was told it’s £1.5/mile both ways, so I would have to pay almost £300 (more than this car’s worth).
I also have an access to a dolly trailer, but I am not sure what requirements I have to meet to trail a car this way. Can I tow a car without TAX and MOT? I have to put my registration plates on the back so is it not treated as a car with a trailer (not as a car towing another car)?
Do I need a driving license Cat E to do it? I may need it in the future so is it hard or expensive to get a E cat?
I have same questions regarding normal trailer. Can borrow it for few £ but I think I need a B+E cat.
Thanks for your help

[Kevin Wood]

The only other (legal) way would be a trailer (wheels must be off the ground). Depends on the weight of the car then. What model is it?

Trailers can be hired for reasonable money, and if you're stuck for someone with cat B+E I can help.

Kevin

[mkaminski100]

This is a Vectra, but there is also a possibility to buy cars, fix them and sell to help our house budged (I am a dad now) I had many offers, but most of them are ca 200 miles up north and transport would eat any profit. That’s why I am also thinking about getting B+E and renting/buying a trailer.

[Kevin Wood]

Ahh, congratulations. I remember being a Dad was imminent at the meet before Christmas.

The problem is, a Vectra's going to be 1400-1500Kg at a guess, plus trailer at 400-500 Kg, and you then need something pretty substantial to tow it. :-/

Kevin

[mkaminski100]

She's almost 7 weeks old. We will (try) be on next Reading meeting.
I've seen Vectra pulling Omega! I have a Vectra V6 so this might be just strong enought to pull another Vectra.
There's new problem, as there is a max weight it can pull...
Sometimes I think it's easir to risk with a dolly trailer

[mkaminski100]

How much would I have to pay to  bring a car that is ca 50 miles away?
Most companies with a truck charge 1.5-2/mile. I think that a small company or a private person that is doing it on a daily basis would be much better, and cheaper (I hope).

[Kevin Wood]

She's almost 7 weeks old. We will (try) be on next Reading meeting.
I've seen Vectra pulling Omega! I have a Vectra V6 so this might be just strong enought to pull another Vectra.
There's new problem, as there is a max weight it can pull...
Sometimes I think it's easir to risk with a dolly trailer

Well, at least if a car's on a trailer it is braked (the trailer has brakes). I suspect it will still exceed the maximum train weight of an Omega (just over 4,000 Kg in my case IIRC) let alone a Vectra unless the car on the trailer is a shopping car.

If the car is on a dolly it needs tax and MOT and it's an unbraked trailer, meaning the legal limit for any car in the UK is no more than 750Kg.

Kevin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Phone round the transport companies, I had an Omega recovered over 100 miles for 100quid.....its a case of falling on somebody who can collect as part of their return journey

[mkaminski100]

Kevin – I’m sure it will be over and I am aware that it’s not legal. On one hand I would be stupid to take ca 4t and think that Vectra brakes can make it (no way), but on the other hand I’ve seen so many AA Vans pulling big cars on dolly trailer, like omega for example. They put an AA van number plates on the back of the towed car so original plates are covered. Doesn’t sound right.
Mark – this price sound right. What keyword should I look for? “Transport company” is very wide and I am sure there will be many that are not towing cars.
I have passed my Driving License on 30.11.1997…damn. One year earlier and I could be towing cars myself  
Thanks

[Kevin Wood]

Kevin – I’m sure it will be over and I am aware that it’s not legal. On one hand I would be stupid to take ca 4t and think that Vectra brakes can make it (no way), but on the other hand I’ve seen so many AA Vans pulling big cars on dolly trailer, like omega for example. They put an AA van number plates on the back of the towed car so original plates are covered. Doesn’t sound right.
Mark – this price sound right. What keyword should I look for? “Transport company” is very wide and I am sure there will be many that are not towing cars.
I have passed my Driving License on 30.11.1997…damn. One year earlier and I could be towing cars myself  
Thanks

They do, but only to recover them to safety in an emergency (they will transfer you to a Relay truck for significant distances), and only for cars that are taxed and MOT'ed. Also, an empty van has plenty of braking performance in reserve and generally a much higher train weight than a car.

Kevin

[Andy B]

Kevin – I’m sure it will be over and I am aware that it’s not legal. On one hand I would be stupid to take ca 4t and think that Vectra brakes can make it (no way), but on the other hand I’ve seen so many AA Vans pulling big cars on dolly trailer, like omega for example. They put an AA van number plates on the back of the towed car so original plates are covered. Doesn’t sound right.
Mark – this price sound right. What keyword should I look for? “Transport company” is very wide and I am sure there will be many that are not towing cars.
I have passed my Driving License on 30.11.1997…damn. One year earlier and I could be towing cars myself  
Thanks

They do, but only to recover them to safety in an emergency (they will transfer you to a Relay truck for significant distances), and only for cars that are taxed and MOT'ed. Also, an empty van has plenty of braking performance in reserve and generally a much higher train weight than a car.

Kevin

I'm pretty sure that their big dollies have over run brakes on them.

[HolyCount]

A few guys on eBay advertise collection / delivery at £1 per mile one way --- check them out for insurance etc tho ( usual eBay care required .... and more so )

[mkaminski100]

Found the guy from ebay and he did it for 0.90. Price was low just because he doesn't have many bookings but it's good for me.
I have also found few websites where you can contact trailer company and they will quote you (like sniffydog with spares). Prices vary from 100 to 140.
Thanks again.

[philhoward]

I hit ebay last time i needed a car moving - trick is finding one near either the source or destination.  I have a trailer bit on my license (and have towed extensively) but for anything under 100 miles i'll use a £1/mile bod..

Legally, if any wheels touch the ground, the car needs to be road legal (Dollies, A frames etc), IIRC

[mkaminski100]

It was 54 miles one way and guy charged me 95 total. He lives 15 miles away from me but doesnt charge to come to my place.