Imorting a new car from Europe

Ricardothebull

Does anyone know whether it is still possible or indeed worthwhile to purchase say, a new Lexus, from a dealer in Europe then personally import it to UK. Any advice?

Thanks

forgotmyname

Possible yes. Worthwhile maybe not.

How much extra will they want for a RHD car and to make it UK legal? Will it need new headlights or just a switch/lever to move?

Herzlos

Is it something you can't get over here or incredibly cheap?

Generally you'll need to pay to ship it (or drive it back), pay to import it (along with duty, no doubt), then you'll have to pay more insurance because it's an import and LHD, all to have the hassle of having a car that's LHD. I wouldn't even consider it unless you were saving thousands, and even then I'd suspect it was a scam for being so cheap.

At least if you import one from Japan the steering wheel is on the correct side.

AdrianC

Within the EU, you can order a car with RHD and to UK spec from any dealer anywhere. Lexus don't appear to do the common "2yrs mfr warranty, 3rd year FOC from importer", which'd leave a parallel import shorter of cover - BUT you will certainly have issues with any manufacturer goodwill outside the warranty period.

If you think it's worth it, go for it. Every country will have their prices on their local website, so you can see for yourself if there's much margin. There'd be no VAT or duty to pay, since you'll have paid it in the country of origin. You may need to buy a CoC from LexusUK, and you'll certainly need to pay the first reg fee (£55 last time I looked).

Belgium used to be the most common source. Lower prices and ease of return.

InsideInsurance

AdrianC wrote: »

Within the EU, you can order a car with RHD and to UK spec from any dealer anywhere

Can you? Never looked into it but would have assumed that there were possibly exclusivity deals with importers (or more issues if the manufacturer is actually the importer).

Secondly, given legal requirements for vehicles do vary between countries can a french dealer really sell a uk spec car that doesnt meet the local legislation for a french registered vehicle? I thought in most countries a new car had to be registered at point of sale.

I dont know the answers to these questions but its surprising if true

Strider590

I doubt it's worth it any more...... The manufacturers and the govt were VERY keen on stopping this practice.

Plus with all this internet censorship now coming into force i'd be very surprised if (in future) it was possible to find the information or contact details you'd need to make it happen.

AdrianC

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Can you? Never looked into it but would have assumed that there were possibly exclusivity deals with importers (or more issues if the manufacturer is actually the importer).

Secondly, given legal requirements for vehicles do vary between countries can a french dealer really sell a uk spec car that doesnt meet the local legislation for a french registered vehicle? I thought in most countries a new car had to be registered at point of sale.

It's the EU... Single type approval, and freedom to trade across borders without restriction. It would be illegal for Toyota Europe to prevent a Belgian dealer supplying a UK-spec car. Most, if not all, countries will allow a car to be registered on temporary plates - yes, including the UK, normal looking plates with X as the first letter.

redux

I think the heyday of doing this was about 20 to 10 years ago.

With the pound being down against the euro since about 2007/8, I suspect that finding an attractive deal might be tricky.

If it will turn out to be be worth it, Denmark might be the place to look. It has very high duty and tax on cars, so the underlying manufacturer and dealer prices are pared right down. Make sure you read up on how to get the paperwork right to either avoid Danish duty or reclaim it as you leave.

But I strongly suspect you'd be better off bargaining on a car here that's new to a few months old.

InsideInsurance

AdrianC wrote: »

It's the EU... Single type approval, and freedom to trade across borders without restriction. It would be illegal for Toyota Europe to prevent a Belgian dealer supplying a UK-spec car. Most, if not all, countries will allow a car to be registered on temporary plates - yes, including the UK, normal looking plates with X as the first letter.

How does single type approval work with things like headlights then? Are all headlights now universally adaptable from LHD to RHD? Or say Bulgaria which says all cars registered in winter must have winter tyres on them. I'd be surprised if there arent some other strange rules out there, particularly in newly onboarded countries, which a pure UK build wouldnt meet.

andrewf75

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Ireland. Didn't that used to be where people went to get cheaper cars? with the bonus of being RHD

force_ten

Herzlos wrote: »

Is it something you can't get over here or incredibly cheap?

Generally you'll need to pay to ship it (or drive it back), pay to import it (along with duty, no doubt), then you'll have to pay more insurance because it's an import and LHD, all to have the hassle of having a car that's LHD. I wouldn't even consider it unless you were saving thousands, and even then I'd suspect it was a scam for being so cheap.

At least if you import one from Japan the steering wheel is on the correct side.

I had a UK spec mondeo 2.0L Zetec that was a parallel import and i purchased it from motorpoint derby and the car was purchased in belguim, car was 2003 03 car and came to me with less than 5 miles on the clock

at four years old and 19,000 miles the car broke a front coil spring I agreed with ford main dealers to replace both front springs at £126.00 a side fitted

when i went to collect the car service manager said the springs had been replaced free of charge as a good will gesture

I did not ask for this and would have paid for the repair but it shows good will is possible on a parallel import