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Which country(in europe) is cheapest for buying tax-free cars?

icebergx
icebergx Posts: 688 Forumite
in Motoring
Hi all,
I understand Denmark is one of the cheapest countries to buy a tax-free car in, but are there any other countries that are cheaper?
Does anyone know how to go about buying a tax-free car?
Thanks.
«1

Comments

  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    FYI, a European car has NO warranty in the UK. It may be a false economy if you have any trouble in the 1st 3years...
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • mikey72
    mikey72 Posts: 14,680 Forumite
    TiTheRev wrote: »
    FYI, a European car has NO warranty in the UK. It may be a false economy if you have any trouble in the 1st 3years...

    I'd check that with the manufacturer personally.
  • maninthestreet
    maninthestreet Posts: 16,127 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    TiTheRev wrote: »
    FYI, a European car has NO warranty in the UK. It may be a false economy if you have any trouble in the 1st 3years...


    Where did you get this nonsense from?
    "You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"
  • System
    System Posts: 178,185 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Don't you have to be resident in the country to buy tax free. I know that the military need to be on a standard posting to qualify, short detachments don't count.

    Do you mean buying abroad under their tax system rather than tax-free?
  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Are we to assume the OP is taking the car out of Europe?
  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    To buy one you approach a main dealer for the make in question and let him handle all the paperwork.

    Problem is that the country you are buying in will require you to export the car within a certain time frame or pay the tax

    The country you are importing into will normally want tax when you import it

    So you can't win
  • System
    System Posts: 178,185 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    !!!!!! wrote: »
    Don't you have to be resident in the country to buy tax free. I know that the military need to be on a standard posting to qualify, short detachments don't count.

    Do you mean buying abroad under their tax system rather than tax-free?


    Just to add that the tax free arrangement for servicemen is an arrangement between the UK Government and the host government so details vary.

    I think even if you exported it then you could only make it VAT free at best. You would still be liable for any local taxes.
  • icebergx
    icebergx Posts: 688 Forumite
    Sorry if I wasn't clear.
    I want to buy the car abroad, then bring it into the UK. I'm aware I'll have to pay tax in the UK for the car but (as far as I'm aware) the taxes are a % of the purchase price so, if I purchase the car at a low "tax-free" price, the applicable taxes should also be lower.

    The fact that the car maybe LHD isn't a problem as I work abroad a lot and tend to use LHD anyway.
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,755 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Insuring a LHD car here may soon eat up your savings with a slightly higher premium. Some garages dont like working on imported cars.

    Warranty still applies, But the garage might not be as helpful as they might if you bought the car from them.
    If the dealer is doing your servicing then they might be more helpful.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • System
    System Posts: 178,185 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 25 June 2010 at 3:17PM
    You are confusing the issue by saying 'tax-free' when it is only VAT free. Tax-free is a totally different kettle of fish

    See the following article. It will tell you where to get price info

    http://www.is4profit.com/business-advice/general-advice/importing-cars.html
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