Advice on this buying scenario

[Gary S]

I'm interested in buying a MH that is currently registered and situated in Spain. Its a rhd, UK supplied vehicle and I've done my due diligence on the seller and am quite comfortable that everything is genuine. The seller previously exported it to Spain and they plan to return it to a UK registration, with new MOT, as its just reached 3 years old, so I wouldn't be importing it

So effectively, I'd be buying a UK vehicle (hopefully with no damp, although it still has the Burstner 10 year water ingress guarantee via annual check).

I'm still at a very early stage, but apart from viewing the MH when it's back in the UK, with all paperwork completed, is there anything else I should be thinking about?

 

[The Coops]

See Jim's buying a motorhome guide?

 

[Gary S]

Apologies, I should have been more specific.

I've read the buying guide, which is brilliant, but I was more thinking about any implications about buying a MH that was previously abroad.

 

[Diabalo]

Maybe worth doing a HPI check

 

[PaulW2]

I'm interested in buying a MH that is currently registered and situated in Spain. Its a rhd, UK supplied vehicle and I've done my due diligence on the seller and am quite comfortable that everything is genuine. The seller previously exported it to Spain and they plan to return it to a UK registration, with new MOT, as its just reached 3 years old, so I wouldn't be importing it

So effectively, I'd be buying a UK vehicle (hopefully with no damp, although it still has the Burstner 10 year water ingress guarantee via annual check).

I'm still at a very early stage, but apart from viewing the MH when it's back in the UK, with all paperwork completed, is there anything else I should be thinking about?

I bought one that was originally registered in Spain (LHD). It was then imported to the UK by the previous owner. No problem, though it did seem to trigger the need for annual MOTs earlier than the 3-year mark in this case.

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[Jev88]

If owner is going to import it back to UK and deal with any issues then I would be interested. But I never buy a vehicle unseen and I tested by myself.

 

[Just smiffy]

Could have been lived in all that time so a good inspection of the interior for wear and tear….

 

[berni109]

Assume you have the appropriate driving licence?
Don't think a descent sized Burstner will be 3.5 ton in touring mode.

 

[dunnah01]

You may need to swap headlights to RHD units. The fog light may need to be changed to the offside. The speedo may need to be converted to mph from kph. It really depends on how much work was done when 1st imported to Spain.

 

[DandJ]

If they do the whole import plus a new MOT, you shoudn't have too much to worry about with regard to fog lights etc....and if it has spent all its time in Spain, it is less likely. to have any dreaded damp issues....probably. Buyer beware and all that but..if it were me, I'd be considering a short trip over to Spain to have a good look at it. Cheap flight, cheap hire car, cheap airbnb. May be a very well spent £300 for both parties...the sellers who would be fairly sure they have a decent, honest buyer back in the UK and for you...knowing the same of the seller.....

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[Gary S]

Assume you have the appropriate driving licence?
Don't think a descent sized Burstner will be 3.5 ton in touring mode.

Yes, old enough to have a C1!

 

[Gary S]

You may need to swap headlights to RHD units. The fog light may need to be changed to the offside. The speedo may need to be converted to mph from kph. It really depends on how much work was done when 1st imported to Spain.

Thank you, this is the kind of thing I was hoping would be thrown up here

 

[Puddleduck]

A trip to view combined with a bit of a holiday would be my suggestion.

 

[gus-lopez]

You may need to swap headlights to RHD units. The fog light may need to be changed to the offside. The speedo may need to be converted to mph from kph. It really depends on how much work was done when 1st imported to Spain.

if it was originally Uk registered & imported in to spain it would follow that anything that had to be changed the owner would have kept the old ones.? I.e rhd headlights?
the speedo would have been in mph with kph on inside & which is sufficient for spanish import

 

[The Wino]

I'm not sure how you could check any outstanding finance and would standing in the heat affect the sealants?

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[dunnah01]

if it was originally Uk registered & imported in to spain it would follow that anything that had to be changed the owner would have kept the old ones.? I.e rhd headlights?
the speedo would have been in mph with kph on inside & which is sufficient for spanish import

Hopefully a box of the bits is included

 

[Sneds]

I’d be looking in the UK, why take a chance?
Unless its really cheap, them I’d be asking why so cheap?

 

[Gary S]

Thought I'd update this post, as things have moved on.

Since my original post, the owner has brought the moho back to the UK and has converted back to UK spec, passed MOT and is in the process of having it re-registered onto original plate.

I've had various video calls and chats with the seller and have seen all relevant documentation.

Went to see it yesterday and thankfully it was exactly as described, so have agreed to purchase it as soon as updated V5 received.

Meanwhile, all of the comparables are still for sale at dealers and not shifting. Not an ideal time to buy, but negotiated a good deal and the seller has left loads of stuff that as first timers, we'd have needed to buy anyway, so pretty happy.

 

[DandJ]

I'm glad it is panning out well for you (and no doubt, the seller.)

 

[CamperManLez]

I'm interested in buying a MH that is currently registered and situated in Spain. Its a rhd, UK supplied vehicle and I've done my due diligence on the seller and am quite comfortable that everything is genuine. The seller previously exported it to Spain and they plan to return it to a UK registration, with new MOT, as its just reached 3 years old, so I wouldn't be importing it

So effectively, I'd be buying a UK vehicle (hopefully with no damp, although it still has the Burstner 10 year water ingress guarantee via annual check).

I'm still at a very early stage, but apart from viewing the MH when it's back in the UK, with all paperwork completed, is there anything else I should be thinking about?

I'm interested in buying a MH that is currently registered and situated in Spain. Its a rhd, UK supplied vehicle and I've done my due diligence on the seller and am quite comfortable that everything is genuine. The seller previously exported it to Spain and they plan to return it to a UK registration, with new MOT, as its just reached 3 years old, so I wouldn't be importing it

So effectively, I'd be buying a UK vehicle (hopefully with no damp, although it still has the Burstner 10 year water ingress guarantee via annual check).

I'm still at a very early stage, but apart from viewing the MH when it's back in the UK, with all paperwork completed, is there anything else I should be thinking about?

What about the important stuff like the HPI check? might have issues with that as it was taken out the UK. How do you verify it has no finance on it? Ask to see the purchase agreement and invoice at least and if they do not have it (its only 3 yrs old!) then run away.

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[Barriesimpson]

I bought one that was originally registered in Spain (LHD). It was then imported to the UK by the previous owner. No problem, though it did seem to trigger the need for annual MOTs earlier than the 3-year mark in this case.

That's interesting, in Spain the first MOT is at 4 years not 3, then every 2 years until it reaches 10 years old.

 

[gus-lopez]

What about the important stuff like the HPI check? might have issues with that as it was taken out the UK. How do you verify it has no finance on it? Ask to see the purchase agreement and invoice at least and if they do not have it (its only 3 yrs old!) then run away.

If it had had finance on it & they had asked dvla for info on the whereabouts that would have flagged up that it had been imported in to spain & they would have been after the owner long ago.

 

[gus-lopez]

I bought one that was originally registered in Spain (LHD). It was then imported to the UK by the previous owner. No problem, though it did seem to trigger the need for annual MOTs earlier than the 3-year mark in this case.

That could occur if it had been a rental vehicle initially?

 

[Gary S]

No outstanding finance and I'm buying from original purchaser. I've seen the original sales invoice showing it was purchased for cash.

 

[Nanniemate]

No outstanding finance and I'm buying from original purchaser. I've seen the original sales invoice showing it was purchased for cash.

You can borrow on it as an asset.

These type of loans are possible and it means the van is theirs until paid.

I think.they are referred to as logbook loans.

These may not show up.on hpi

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[DandJ]

That's interesting, in Spain the first MOT is at 4 years not 3, then every 2 years until it reaches 10 years old.

I got the impression that the sub 3 yr 'trigger' was for the UK MOT...rather than the Spanish one.

 

[Gary S]

You can borrow on it as an asset.

These type of loans are possible and it means the van is theirs until paid.

I think.they are referred to as logbook loans.

These may not show up.on hpi

Alternatives To Logbook Loans | 118 118 Money

You run the risk losing your car with log book loans. 118 118 Money offer fair alternatives. Apply online today.

www.118118money.com

I work in mortgage finance and these types of loans (and payday loans) are the kiss of death for anyone trying to obtain a mortgage.

It's definitely a minefield when buying privately, and you can only do so much due diligence.

As part of my work, I spend a lot of time validating people and while no-one is infallible, I've done huge amount of due diligence on this one and everything has checked out so far.