In message 01c5ad9c$b14c53c0$LocalHost@default, at 23:56:08 on Tue, 30
Aug 2005, Michael R N Dolbear remarked:

Roland Perry wrote
[...]
And in the USA (where I used to live anyway) you pay sales tax on
secondhand cars bought from a dealer. That's one tax we escape in the

UK. You can also end up paying sales tax on the car you already own
if
you "import" it from one state to another!

Wrong, in Britain sales tax (VAT) is paid on "secondhand cars bought
from a dealer" - there is a special scheme for secondhand goods so VAT
is only charged on the dealer's margin.

So saying "wrong" is a little over the top! AIUI, the sales tax in the
USA is upon the whole price, not just the margin. And as the sales tax
is added to the ticket price (not inclusive), it means you have to be
very careful when comparing vehicles from dealers or individuals.

--
Roland Perry