Car Breakdown Repair in France

techie2013

Hi

I was traveling to France with my family and unfortunatly the car broke down, with a bit of luck it was just as we got to the hotel.It was found that the water pump failed and was leaking coolent.

The total repair bill was 773 Euros + 20% VAT total cost 927.60 Euros. My question is can i claim back the VAT as the car was returned to the UK the next day ?

The car was also still under warranty, but they are only offering to pay £243.00 of the cost of repair, saying their T&C only cover cheaper car parts and just 3 hours labour.

Any advice on the above would be much appreciated as at the present i would be nearly £600 out of pocket

Thanks

Grey_Critic

***The car was also still under warranty,*** What warranty - Manufacturers or Dealer?

A little puzzled at the *Cheaper car parts* comment so I assume not manufacturer - if the car was under manufacturers warranty then it should have gone to the local dealer who should be able to do the repair and claim back. I know I did when I was with Ford.

VAT is a Tax charge that we are all subject to that. If claiming from the warranty company then it is part of the bill.

Car_54

Grey_Critic said:

VAT is a Tax charge that we are all subject to that. If claiming from the warranty company then it is part of the bill.

Foreign tourists buying goods in the UK can reclaim the VAT on some purchases. Places like Harrods have whole departments to help.
Similarly, the OP might have been able to recover the VAT he paid, but I think he needed to jump through some hoops at the time.  See https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/vat-refunds_en,  It's far from simple.

Grey_Critic

Youngest used to live in L A and on his visits to the UK often bought such as M&S underwear and other clothes/brands that he knew and trusted. whilst here.

He tried the claim thing originally but said it was more trouble than it was worth.. Never heard of someone trying to reclaim car repairs.

user1977

The only thing you'd be importing are any parts fitted, so I expect that's the only element you could reclaim for (if the cost is itemised on the invoice). The labour was done and dusted in France, you're not "importing" it.

mobileron

My Ford broke down in Germany,r epaired it free and let me  have a loan car for 3 days.

Sandtree

[Deleted User] said:

Grey_Critic said:

VAT is a Tax charge that we are all subject to that. If claiming from the warranty company then it is part of the bill.

Foreign tourists buying goods in the UK can reclaim the VAT on some purchases. Places like Harrods have whole departments to help. 

Not any more, VAT Retail Export Scheme ended in 2020 inline with Brexit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/revenue-and-customs-brief-21-2020-withdrawal-of-the-vat-retail-export-scheme-and-the-tax-free-shopping-concession/revenue-and-customs-brief-21-2020-withdrawal-of-the-vat-retail-export-scheme-and-the-tax-free-shopping-concession 

Grumpy_chap

user1977 said:

The only thing you'd be importing are any parts fitted, so I expect that's the only element you could reclaim for (if the cost is itemised on the invoice). The labour was done and dusted in France, you're not "importing" it.

There is a VAT-reclaim process for non-EU residents taking items out of the EU.  It is all quite a faff and the items have to be available for inspection in hand luggage and new / boxed on exit.

The OP would not be exporting the fitted car parts as new items but used items which would have a far lower value than the new.