Can I buy a new Mitsubishi L200 (LHD) in UK?

dmackay41

Is there any way to purchase a brand new Mitsubishi L200 with a left hand drive in the UK?
We are moving to France soon and the cost of these are higher than the UK.
I tried contacting my nearest Mitsubishi dealer and he said it was not possible. It would have to be via a dealer as I have our 2 nearly new vehicles to trade in.
Anyone have any info on this?

Premier_2

It should be possible. Probably as a made to order vehicle. Explain that you want one you intend to personally export to France and they should be able to order up one of that spec.

If you are having problems, contact another dealer or even Mitsubishi UK directly
http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/enquiries/general-enquiry.aspx

Inactive

I would check how much the import duty is in France before buying a UK vehicle.

It could possibly be cheaper to buy in France.

dmackay41

Premier wrote: »

It should be possible. Probably as a made to order vehicle. Explain that you want one you intend to personally export to France and they should be able to order up one of that spec.

If you are having problems, contact another dealer or even Mitsubishi UK directly
http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/enquiries/general-enquiry.aspx

Thanks Premier, I will try that.
Cheers

dmackay41

Inactive wrote: »

I would check how much the import duty is in France before buying a UK vehicle.

It could possibly be cheaper to buy in France.

There is no duty payable if the VAT is paid on the vehicle here and owned for at least 6 months by the person bringing it into France to register..

Premier_2

dmackay41 wrote: »

There is no duty payable if the VAT is paid on the vehicle here and owned for at least 6 months by the person bringing it into France to register..

Ah, you expect to keep it 6 months before exporting it?

That could be a problem. The vehicle can't simply be supplied as built if you are thinking of using it UK roads for that long.
It'll need things changing such as headlight dipping (so it dips to the left, not to the right) and perhaps the rear fog light may not comply with UK regulations (perhaps on the wrong side of the car). That means someone (e.g. the supplying garage) will need to modify the wiring loom.
There may be other changes required too.

Perhaps that is why they are not prepared to go to the hassle of ordering you a LHD.

goldspanners

have you tired another european country that does have left hand drive as the norm?

dmackay41

Premier wrote: »

Ah, you expect to keep it 6 months before exporting it?

That could be a problem. The vehicle can't simply be supplied as built if you are thinking of using it UK roads for that long.
It'll need things changing such as headlight dipping (so it dips to the left, not to the right) and perhaps the rear fog light may not comply with UK regulations (perhaps on the wrong side of the car). That means someone (e.g. the supplying garage) will need to modify the wiring loom.
There may be other changes required too.

Perhaps that is why they are not prepared to go to the hassle of ordering you a LHD.

Yes, that is correct. 6 months and VAT paid, then I can register it in France and there is no duty. There would be nothing to stop me driving over to France on a UK reg and insurance immediately while I prepare my property for our move.

I have recently modified my current vehicle to comply with driving abroad by using temporary headlamp modifiers costing under £10, ( the stick on type) so there is no great problem (or expense) there and all laws are complied with.

dmackay41

goldspanners wrote: »

have you tired another european country that does have left hand drive as the norm?

No, not yet...I am presuming the costs of Mitsibushi L200s are about the same in most Eu countries (obviously with the exception of here!)

Premier_2

dmackay41 wrote: »

Yes, that is correct. 6 months and VAT paid, then I can register it in France and there is no duty. There would be nothing to stop me driving over to France on a UK reg and insurance immediately while I prepare my property for our move.

I have recently modified my current vehicle to comply with driving abroad by using temporary headlamp modifiers costing under £10, ( the stick on type) so there is no great problem (or expense) there and all laws are complied with.

Putting stickers on the headlamps may keep the police at bay (since you probably wont dazzle oncoming traffic), but it doesn't make them acceptable for UK use long term e.g. 6 months. As you said, they are intended for "temporary" use.

It's similar in Germany where UK troops who buy RHD cars have to have the headlights modified - applying stickers is not acceptable; they have 30 days maximum. I know you wont need to get the vehicle MOT'd, but if you did it wouldn't pass just by putting stickers on the headlights.

And what about the rear fog lamp? That'll have to be moved to the other side of the vehicle for UK use
Only if the rear fog light was centrally mounted (and I don't know any that are off hand) would you get away with it. I'm pretty sure twin rear fog lights are not permitted on new cars (in the UK).

Your UK insurance wouldn't take it too kindly if they found you were driving a vehicle in the UK that didn't comply with UK legislation.
Nor would they probably be willing to insure you if they knew you were planning on taking it immediately to France for 6 months (and then popping back to the UK to permanently export it if that is what you are suggesting).
Most UK policies only cover temporary trips abroad, e.g. holidays, typically up to 30 days.

goldspanners

Premier wrote: »

And what about the rear fog lamp? That'll have to be moved to the other side of the vehicle for UK use
Only if the rear fog light was centrally mounted (and I don't know any that are off hand) would you get away with it. I'm pretty sure twin rear fog lights are not permitted on new cars (in the UK).

im not so sure about that, the ford transit has rear fog lights both left and right. and the mini has a centrally mounted rear fog light.

the op could buy a cheap fog light and stick it on the back at the right hand side and disconnect the wires from the original light and run a cable across to it, easy peasy. remember its an L200 so there will be plenty of spaces under the back end to fit a fog light crudely but legally.