Expat-to-be, sell my car first?

Cool_Chick

Hello,

I am relocating to France next Wednesday (29th May 2013). I just would like to ask for some advice from previous expats please.

I would like to take my car as I have a cat to travel with. But it is a right-hand drive car so it would not be worth registering it in France.

But I do not know if or how I can sell it. If I sell it quickly before I go, I won't get the best price and it would make travelling over very difficult.

But I am selling my house so I would not have a UK address if I want to return and sell it later.

Does anyone have any advice, please? Any help would be very gratefully received.

Thank you.

Bob_the_Saver

Cool_Chick wrote: »

Hello,

I am relocating to France next Wednesday (29th May 2013). I just would like to ask for some advice from previous expats please.

I would like to take my car as I have a cat to travel with. But it is a right-hand drive car so it would not be worth registering it in France.

But I do not know if or how I can sell it. If I sell it quickly before I go, I won't get the brest price and it would make travelling over very difficult.

But I am selling my house so I would not have a UK address if I want to return and sell it later.

Does anyone have any advice, please? Any help would be very gratefully received.

Thank you.

Can you use Parents, friends address. You've basically got 180 days to get it out of France (car not cat) and don't forget it must remain taxed & mot'd as well as insured.

simpywimpy

I would take it with you. There is no reason you can't get it re-registered in france if you want to keep hold of it. If you don't, take it back via a relative and sell on ebay possibly or one of the websites there are that buy instantly.

Good luck with your move. Its something I want to do myself and will be travelling to France myself on the same day to look at some properties

Bob_the_Saver

2nd hand cars are expensive in France and mostly French makes :eek:

If you will be based rurally the steering wheel on the wrong side is not that much of a problem by the way.

http://www.frenchpropertylinks.com/essential/registering-car-france.html

Cool_Chick

Hello Bob The Saver,

Thank you for your advice. If I use a friend's address, would I have to update my insurance and the VC5 first? Then come back for a holiday and sell it quickly?

And Simpywimpy,

Congratulations! I'm going to rent first then use that time to house-hunt. I wish you the very best.

I've tried WeBuyAnyCar.com but they seem a con. They give you a very low online valuation, then then charge you £50 to look at the car, then they knock the price down further.

I'd have to try Ebay, Autotrader or put a sign in the window.

And France will charge to register it, plus import taxes. Then it would be hard to sell as there's little demand for a right-hand drive.

Bob_the_Saver

Cool_Chick wrote: »

Hello Bob The Saver,

Thank you for your advice. If I use a friend's address, would I have to update my insurance and the VC5 first? Then come back for a holiday and sell it quickly?

Yes....................................

Other alternative is sell cat and buy left hand drive one on arrival.

Cool_Chick

NEVER NEVER NEVER! Love my fluffy baby so much!

Bob_the_Saver

Cats are cheap in France.

Cool_Chick

Bob, you are truly heartless.

Bob_the_Saver

That's true ..................

Archergirl

Is there time to buy a left hand drive car here, they are usually cheaper, would be ideal if you could only find one to part ex........
You can always rely on Bobthesaver lol.
Good luck in your new life xx