How can a minibus be roadworthy in England, but turn out to be problematic in Bulgaria? The story of a Bulgarian who returned to our country with his family from the United Kingdom, is told by Nova TV.
The journey through hardships for Ilian began in the spring of last year. Then, together with his wife, he returned to Varna after a trip abroad in England. They also took with them a minibus that they had purchased and used there. “I decided to take it to Bulgaria to serve my personal needs. It was purchased in England by me. I have been driving it there for years. Absolutely all insurances were paid. It is regular”, explains Ilian Todorov.
However, in our country, the “Traffic Police” does not think so. When he tried to register the van at the Varna Traffic Police, the police detained it on suspicion that it was stolen. An inspection is underway, which does not confirm this, says Iliyan. “I went to continue the registration at the Varna Traffic Police. They asked for other things that did not match. It turned out that the van had been in an accident, then it was repaired. And the Varna Traffic Police completely refused to register it”, explains Iliyan Todorov.
According to lawyer Iliya Todorov, the Traffic Police cannot always refuse to register a vehicle because it has been in an accident, but there are such cases. “When it comes to a serious accident with a damaged frame of the chassis itself or some kind of total damage. For example, flooded cars, cars with bio-infection, spilled liquids and other hypotheses”, explained Iliya Todorov.
In a statement to NOVA from the Ministry of Interior's Regional Office in Varna, they stated that the refusal was due to the fact that part of the VIN number was erased and secondly - a polymer sticker with the VIN number was missing in the place designated by the manufacturer.
In the meantime, Iliyan is paying customs duty and VAT for the minibus of about 4,000 leva to the Customs. After the registration refusal, he requested that the money be returned to him.
„The „Customs”-Varna provided me with a document that, based on some articles, etc., which no one can understand. I spoke to two lawyers, they say that we have never had such a case before. And I give the “Customs”-Varna over 3700 leva, which they refuse to return to me”, commented Iliyan Todorov.
When asked for comment, the “Customs” Agency stated that the refund of duty is not tied to registration with the “Traffic Police”. And they specified that Iliyan's request does not fall under the regulations for canceling a customs declaration.
“Before importing such a vehicle into Bulgaria, we must investigate what type of ticket we will import it with, what the damage was, whether it is a valid reason for the Traffic Police to refuse us registration”, explained Iliyan Todorov.
So Iliyan has only one option - to part with the van at a recycling center.