Judyc Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Has anybody imported a new LHD vehicle from the UK and registered it over here?With the drop in the pound, it is cheaper for us to order a new car from the UK, to french spec, and then import it, but I am unsure if we are creating problems for ourselves further down the line.I suspect we would need to pay the difference on the two VAT rates, but would be grateful if anybody could tell me otherwise., and also what other costs are involved. I have checked the DRIRE website, but can't find anything about brand new vehicles.Thanks in advanceJudy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezstevens Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I have discussed this before - 6 months old and 6000km. Have a look and save yourself a fortune. OK I have relented - buy a car in the UK, pay VAT in the UK, bring the car over and register - then pay another 19.6%. Do the search and get your timing right otherwise you are paying twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 The narrative below assumes that you are a private individual, non-VAT registered, purchasing a car which is to be exported. If you purchase a car in the UK that is less than 6 months old and has done less than 6000 Km as a brand-new car, then you can register it under the "new means of transport" scheme detailed in HMRC notice 728, and so long as you export it within 2 months, you will not have to pay UK VAT on the purchase. You will, however, have to pay the VAT at the appropriate rate in France or wherever you export it. Normally, when you do that, you will be issued with a temporary registration that generally begins with X - eg XA08ABC. The relevant form to be used for the VAT declaration if Form 411Now, what happens if you want to buy a car in the UK, for export, that has already been registered but which is still less than 6 months old and has done less than 6000 Km? There are two situations:If the organisation that you are buying it from is a VAT-registered business, then they can still go down the same route and supply you with the car at a VAT-free rate, using the same form 411.If you are buying the car from a private individual who is not VAT-registered, then it is possible for the SELLER to obtain a refund of the VAT that has already been paid on the original purchase of the car. HMRC needs to be informed at least 14 days ahead of the effective date of the sale, but this route IS possible.You still have to pay VAT in France or wherever it is to which you are exporting the car, but it does mean that you do not end up paying VAT twice.RegardsPickles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Buying a new LHD car in the UK for the purpose of bringing it across to France is a doddle. You simply ask the supplying dealer to arrange an export sale for you. He will handle the UK VAT exemption documentation and arrange the temporary UK registration for you. Everything is simple because it's all done for you by the dealer. He'll even supply you with the EU certificate of conformity necessary for registering it here in France.When the vehicle arrives in France, you must go to your local tax office and pay the 19.6% French VAT. The tax office will give you a VAT certificate as proof of payment, then you can then drive the car on it's UK export plates for up to a month whilst you complete the registration process. You then visit your prefecture with your V5C registration document, certificate of conformity and VAT certificate and register the car. The registration fee will be approximately 30-35€ per CV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezstevens Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 There you go - a Saint has explained it ... again. I personally know of a couple that bought, imported and paid twice!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judyc Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 Thanks for the info guys.I am going to take a trip to DRIRE tomorrow to see if they can clarify the VAT issue, and if they think I will have any other problem.Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Why ? [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I have, in the past, done exactly what SD has outlined. The export was not to France but the principle is as described. Totally hassle free, the dealer does the paperwork, you collect the car and arrange your own exporting.I am in the market for a new car and had, until this thread, only considered buying in France. Judy's post has made me think otherwise. I will have to start a search for suitable UK dealers and get quotes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 [quote user="powerdesal"]I am in the market for a new car and had, until this thread, only considered buying in France.[/quote]New job must be paying well [:-))] [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glacier1 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I have seen some websites here, from the UK. Pays to maybe buy a vehicle 2nd hand?http://www.lhdplace.co.uk/http://www.oakleaf.net/http://www.loot.com/motoring/left-hand-drive-vehicleshttp://www.transeuropean.co.uk/http://www.lhdinessex.com/used_lhd.asphttp://www.kilrushcars.com/cars.asphttp://www.skylefthanddrivecars.co.uk/left-hand-drive-cars/left-hand-drive-cars.cfm?typeID=1Also, look at ebayhttp://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_dmptZAutomobilesQ5fUK?_nkw=lhd&_sacat=9801&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=9801Happy Hunting! [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 [quote user="ErnieY"][quote user="powerdesal"]I am in the market for a new car and had, until this thread, only considered buying in France.[/quote]New job must be paying well [:-))] [:D] [/quote]Yes, very [:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I would love to be proved wrong but AFAIK you will not be able to buy or order a new lhd car in the UK.Even the UK manufactured cars cannot be ordered by UK dealers, or perhaps "could not" as times are hard and things may change.Isnt it strange that one one hand we have been hearing for years that the car manufacturers and dealers make very little profit on new cars yet sur l'autre côte the new price of cars made in the Eurozone have not risen 50% while the pound fell 33%.Personally I think that the British dealers should be allowed to sell LHD, they lost enough RHD business to the Belgians dealers in recent years to make it fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boiling a frog Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I concur I tried all the Main dealers in Scotland and none of them could supply a LHD car.That was 7 years ago so things may have changed.Anyone advertising new LHD are not main dealers and are importing the LHD from the continent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I think you are wrong.It would go against the 'Free movement of goods and services in the EU'A while back when times were different, there were all sorts of difficulties put in the way of punters wanting to go to Germany and buy say a RHD Mercedes. Eventually Mercedes and others had to give in and supply them but that was not the end of the story.Merc dealers in the UK would refuse to service them and honour the guarantees as they were 'Grey Imports' i.e. the dealers had not had their cut. A Colleague I worked with had one of these and was asked point blank 'Is it an Import?' to which he replied 'Yes of course it is, they're only made in Germany'I know that for example, you can specify and order an Audi online and even track its progress of being made, sort of a Cabbage Patch Audi, then go and get it from the factory.If I get a bit of time I'll have a dig into this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Here are a few links to manufacturers/dealers offering export services:[url=http://www.renaulttaxfree.co.uk/index.php]Renault Tax Free Sales[/url][url=http://www.acwilliams.co.uk/export.asp]East Anglia Renault dealer A C Williams Ltd[/url][url=http://www.vw-used-touareg.co.uk/Aftersales/Finance/Tax-Free-Sales.aspx]Inchcape Group VW export sales[/url][url=http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_editorial.jsp?navRoot=toyota_1024_root&edname=TFS_home&id=Tax%20Free%20Sales&catname=%2ftoyota_1024_root%2fmain_nav%2ffinance&zone=Zone+Tax+Free+Sales&menuid=12081&sr=Mall]Toyota UK tax free sales[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 As ever Sunday Driver.......[:D]This line from the Renault site sounds a bit ominous...We can also supply both LHD and RHD cars using Euro pricing through our delivery centre in PARIS and a number of other delivery centres in Europe including world wide shipping.Whatever do they mean by Euro pricing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 The maths on this does not appear to make sense. If the OP has French generated euros and is going to the UK to get the benefit of the strong euro to buy a new LHD car in £s apart from really restricting the choice of what is available and how long it will take to be delivered, a comparable model in France would surely be the same euro price or cheaper, easier to register and get warranty and servicing on. Are UK new car prices really that much lower than for a comparable model in France given the slight recovery in the £ against the euro and the promotions that are being made by the French car producers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judyc Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 We have some UK generated income as well as french, so it would be quite logical to use sterling to buy the car.As regards ordering a LHD car in the UK, it is not a problem. Some dealers may tell you they can't do it, but only perhaps because it is a bit of an unknown quantiy for them, and they don't really want to get involved in something they don't know the processes for. The specifications vary between country so you need to check that what you would get on a French car would still be standard on a British spec, eg on the model we are looking at, cruise control is standard on the French spec, but extra on the UK version, whereas heated front screen is standard in UK and an option over here! Part of the reason it could be so much cheaper is we both used to work in the industry, and still have 'contacts' who will do very good deals for us! I am sure there are other dealers who would be keen to sell anything at the moment at a good price! I spoke to DRIRE this morning and they said it was very straightforward, so long as I have the type approval certificate.With the pound strengthening, though, we are still undecided, mainly because of the hassle factor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I have just received a quotation for :- New LHD Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi 140 bhp 4WDComfort Plus Manual price (excl. VAT): 16,995Euros Belgian list price:approx 22,100 Euros SAVING 5,105 Euros (23%Also:-New LHD Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi 170 bhp Tiptronic price (excl.VAT): 19,995 Euros Belgian listprice: approx 30,735 Euros SAVING 10,740Euros (35%) Sourced in Belgium, and either collected or delivered. and:-New LHD VW Tiguan 2.0 TDi 140 bhp S Manual price (excl. VAT): £17,675 This price of 19,443 Euros calculated @ 1.1 Euros/£ Belgian list price:approx 25, 600 Euros SAVING 8,057 Euros (25%)The Tiguan sourced in UK from VW and obviously priced in sterling.I have deleted all reference to the selling company as it would contravene the forum rules.I am torn between the three, someone on the forum has a Tucson (I think), any comments.Edit. Obviously VAT would be payable in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Worth checking out THESE PEOPLE and others like them, Steve. Not that much more than your Belgian prices (on the vehicle I checked) and hassle free as they're French. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Thanks Coop, actually cheaper I think, their prices are TTC and the Belgium prices are ex vat, add on 19.6% (is that correct) VAT and the French price seems to win.Edit. Sorry my maths are cr** tonight. Ignore the comment above. The Belgian price is still cheaper even with VAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezstevens Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 From someone Sunday Driver mentioned. LHD MODUS DYNAMIQUE 1.5dCi 86bhp METALLIC PAINT CLIMATE CONTROL RADIO CD WITH MP3 EXTRA TINTED REAR WINDOWS & TAILGATE CRUISE CONTROL ALL OTHER OPTIONS AS PER UK PRICE LIST Taxfree 9730 sterling quoted Aug 08 Grand Modus 450 extra Imported a taxfree Grand Scenic 2.0 DCi 150 bhp into France last Nov - 6 mths and 3 days old with more than 6000km. Nil tax to pay. Cost new 14500 sterling inc all French spec Dyn S plus alarm, towbar and a few other extras. 42% off "list price". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 The Renault Modus is not big enough. I need more than 86 brake and more vehicle weight for caravan towing.I have considered the 6 month / 6000 mile (or is it Km) situation. That way I pay 15% VAT in UK and not French VAT, but I have to pay UK road tax which is an offset.edit. Thats an interesting grand scenic price. 150 BHP as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezstevens Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Renault Modus would suit as second car plus gift to eldest when passed test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Just checked, 1300kg towing limit, a bit marginal for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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