Importing from France

[Mr B]

Hi everyone, new this forum and hopefully motorhomes. I really need help/advice/guidance..........
We have been looking at A class Rapido's for the last few months and thought we had found the one that ticked most of our boxes........
Then, using the power of the web (actually, by mistake....) I happened across the same model, 3 years newer, a lot less money, for sale in France.
Now the question is, apart from the obvious one, how do you go about importing it to Blighty.
Thanks in advance..

 

[spitfire]

I agree it can be done, but why go through the hassle and with the current exchange rate there are some great vans available on the french market.

That was pretty much what I was saying especially if you don't have a van to start with ! Just letting them know you can but not so easy or cheap !!

 

[DBK]

Of course a true patriot would buy a MH made in the UK! Only kidding, except I did although of course the base vehicle is made in the land of opera and pasta. What is sad is the current £/€ exchange make imports from Europe cheaper and works against UK companies trying to export. This must be hitting the profits of Jaguar Land Rover for example even when their products are trying to sink in the Solent.

I read an interesting article yesterday how the euro even on a good day gives Germany a good exchange rate and benefits their exports, most notably things like cars and trains etc. If they were still using the Mark it would be following the Swiss Franc and climbing upwards - making their exports much less attractive. Being part of the euro zone the other countries with less strong economies drag the exchange rate down to the benefit of the richer exporting countries in the group.

But I can't blame you for wanting to use the current exchange rate to buy a MH from Europe - I'll be putting some euros on my cards soon!

 

[Mr B]

If you can get one at a good price I agree . We reregistered ours as we already had it and did not want to change it. It can be done but does need patience and lots of paperwork !! Also cost us around 1000€ in all ten years ago so not sure of the cost now !!

I'm assuming that the €1000 is for registering the MH in France, it's a lot cheaper to register a French one in England. I hope

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm assuming that the €1000 is for registering the MH in France, it's a lot cheaper to register a French one in England. I hope

£100 VCA fee, £55 First registration fee, plus road tax.
Cost of a check for lights, speedo etc, approx £25

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[spitfire]

I'm assuming that the €1000 is for registering the MH in France, it's a lot cheaper to register a French one in England. I hope

I am sure !!! Could not be as expensive as here !!

 

[Mr B]

IF you can sort export insurance a flight to Bordeaux in Feb is about £40 so getting it not a problem, forget about driving there...

£20 La Rochelle
Just offered €45000, I think he nearly choked on his croissant. I can't help it, I'm yorkshire, we don't do asking price...

 

[Judge Mental]

No one does That's a reasonable offer considering no guarantee and its still winter...soon as spring comes prices firm up. All depends on how keen he is to sell. Have you found out anything more re export plates & insurance, as like I said before easy in Germany but dont think french have the same arrangements.
In germany plates belong to the seller, and stay with him to be transferred to his next vehicle. hence why export plates straightforward

 

[Lenny HB]

In germany plates belong to the seller, and stay with him to be transferred to his next vehicle.

I think it's the same in France.

 

[Mel]

I think it's the same in France.

Same in Belgium
But i thought in France the plate stayed with the vehicle?

Mel

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[Mr B]

Waiting for a reply regards the offer, a fair one I think aswell. I'm going to ask him ( if the van checks out when we view it at his home address ) if he would drive it to St Malo or Caen, then I'd pay his train fair home.....

 

[yodeli]

I think it's the same in France.

Sorry... NO! A vehicle sold in France goes away with its plates . Then when registered to the prefecture with new owner, is given new plates. Old ones are just thrown away by new owner or left at the garage which put the new ones.
We have never been owners of our plates.

Frankie

 

[Mr B]

Well, finally did it. We are now proud owners of a 2011 Rapido 9095df, in immaculate condition with loads of extras that would have cost a small fortune for us to buy and put on (remote self seeking sat dish, full insulated windscreen cover, and loads more bits and bobs).

Thanks again for all the advice that people on this brilliant forum have gave me and my wife