From Mr C. Caruana

I find the registration fee charged on the import of second-hand cars into Malta both unjust and unfair. I was about to purchase a vehicle from the UK but I was disgusted when I realised that the registration fee amounted to twice the value of the car. This is ridiculous and I suggest amendments to the current legislation (imposed fee) since Malta is now a member state of the EU.

In particular, I would like to underline the senseless minimum fee that has to be paid (Lm2,900 on car between 1600cc and 1800cc). This is shameful and, as usual, this country charges its citizens prices that are over the top. If a 1600cc vehicle, that has clocked up 100,000 miles, is bought for Lm1,000 and enters Malta, it is subject to the hefty fee of Lm2,900. Therefore, the price for the vehicle has gone up to Lm3900. The price for the same vehicle in Malta would be roughly the some but one would be incorrect to make this calculation. It should take into account that a vehicle driven on European roads will have a high mileage and therefore will last a shorter time (but is still road-worthy, unlike several cars on local streets). This fee does not take this into consideration.

This legislation does not conform to Article 90 of the EC Treaty, which states that “no Member State shall impose on the products of other Member States any internal taxation of any kind in excess of that imposed on similar domestic products”. Although I am fully aware that compulsory laws relating to this matter are not established, I still deem this to be tax discrimination for Maltese and other European citizens.

This is without doubt a sort of protectionism so that our local dealers are not driven out of business, but no one seems to pay any attention to consumer demands. And the customer will always remain the one who is ripped-off. As the saying goes “the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer”.

I am not saying that the registration fee should be completely abolished but it should be less harsh in order to make foreign used cars more affordable. Moreover, I highly recommend that the minimum limit to be paid be eliminated.

This will, in turn, make the owners of old, rusty and decrepit cars invest in a new vehicle. Gradually, most of the old cars will disappear from our roads and eventually our island will be less polluted, look much cleaner and more pleasing to the eye.

Were I to receive a reply on what is happening at the European Parliament in this respect, I would be very grateful.

Claudio Caruana