Hi Austin,

Assuming you can't get the seller to request a replacement from the DVLA in the UK, gather as much paperwork as possible to support your cause before you book an appointment at the NCT centre for inspection. An official bill of sale would be ideal, though if it was a private purchase then that may not be possible of course. You may be asked for a signed affidavit declaring your ownership of the vehicle. Anything you can do to prove your ownership will speed things up.

If the Defender was in use in the North before you bought it then no VAT or import duty should be payable, while VRT is a flat rate of €200 for cars over 30 years old.