Importing new from EU

[Saucer]

Has anyone on here imported a MH from the EU since Brexit? My understanding is that VAT and import tax are payable on used vans, but only VAT on new. Also I believe that purchases in e.g. Belgium or Germany could benefit from VAT refunds from the country it was purchased in. I know that there are various hoops around satisfying UK registration standards, MPH on dash etc, but that doesn’t seem insurmountable. I’d be very interested in anyone who is considering it or (even better) done it since we left.

 

[Abgs]

I've had two recalls on my German sourced MLT. UK dealers, understandably, didn't want to know as I think they get paid a lower labour rate for dealing with these issues.

The only other problem I've had in the first 7 months and 10,000 miles is a defective skylight winder.

The nice lady on the parts counter in Travelworld told me that they had fixed about 20 vehicles with the same fault under warranty.

I could have bought the part and fitted myself for £75 but as I was going back to Germany for the recall work I got the supplying dealer to do it under warranty. I think I'm also going to get the annual damp check done in Belgium or Germany as it is about half the price compared to the UK Hymer dealers.

The Mercedes bits are covered by the Mercedes warranty, I have a pretty good relationship with a local Merc place so I'm not concerned about anything on that side of things.

Still enjoying the massive discount off the new UK price though even after paying for the occasional trip back to Germany!

 

[Srd11]

I've had two recalls on my German sourced MLT. UK dealers, understandably, didn't want to know as I think they get paid a lower labour rate for dealing with these issues.

The only other problem I've had in the first 7 months and 10,000 miles is a defective skylight winder.

The nice lady on the parts counter in Travelworld told me that they had fixed about 20 vehicles with the same fault under warranty.

I could have bought the part and fitted myself for £75 but as I was going back to Germany for the recall work I got the supplying dealer to do it under warranty. I think I'm also going to get the annual damp check done in Belgium or Germany as it is about half the price compared to the UK Hymer dealers.

The Mercedes bits are covered by the Mercedes warranty, I have a pretty good relationship with a local Merc place so I'm not concerned about anything on that side of things.

Still enjoying the massive discount off the new UK price though even after paying for the occasional trip back to Germany!

How do people to about getting the right certificates and temporary plates if buying from a private seller?

 

[The Wino]

How do people to about getting the right certificates and temporary plates if buying from a private seller?

I don't think many do. As I understand it you would have to pay vat still and not be able to reclaim the vat in the country you bought it so it's not viable ( although happy to be proved wrong!)

 

[CazPaul]

I don't think many do. As I understand it you would have to pay vat still and not be able to reclaim the vat in the country you bought it so it's not viable ( although happy to be proved wrong!)

That obviously depends on the price you negotiate with the seller, if the particular make/layout of you Motorhome choice is say 70k from a Uk dealer but you find a private sale in Germany with better spec/accessories/condition etc for 50 then it’s maybe worth it.

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[Soycd]

How do people to about getting the right certificates and temporary plates if buying from a private seller?

You would need to discuss with the seller and both go to the local Zollamt to sort out export paperwork etc. From memory, they should also be able to help with the temporary plates, de-registration etc. As others have said though, it would have to be a very good price as you are probably going to have to pay import duty, as well as VAT/MWST.

 

[Soycd]

I've had two recalls on my German sourced MLT. UK dealers, understandably, didn't want to know as I think they get paid a lower labour rate for dealing with these issues.

The only other problem I've had in the first 7 months and 10,000 miles is a defective skylight winder.

The nice lady on the parts counter in Travelworld told me that they had fixed about 20 vehicles with the same fault under warranty.

I could have bought the part and fitted myself for £75 but as I was going back to Germany for the recall work I got the supplying dealer to do it under warranty. I think I'm also going to get the annual damp check done in Belgium or Germany as it is about half the price compared to the UK Hymer dealers.

The Mercedes bits are covered by the Mercedes warranty, I have a pretty good relationship with a local Merc place so I'm not concerned about anything on that side of things.

Still enjoying the massive discount off the new UK price though even after paying for the occasional trip back to Germany!

Having spent many years living in Germany I cannot fathom how/why a habitation check is so expensive in UK. As you say it's about double the cost here. I suspect it may have something to do with the number of motorhome outlets in Germany and the competition factor? We have very few outlets in UK compared to continental Europe. The other thing in Europe is that you can get warranty work done at pretty much any dealership that sells the model of vehicle you have, regardless of where you bought it.

 

[The Wino]

That obviously depends on the price you negotiate with the seller, if the particular make/layout of you Motorhome choice is say 70k from a Uk dealer but you find a private sale in Germany with better spec/accessories/condition etc for 50 then it’s maybe worth it.

True although I'd be comparing what you would pay for a private sale in the UK if you're buying privately in Germany they would both have similar issues with any defects that show up. If you were paying £50 k privately in Germany and have vat on top that makes it £60 plus duty if applicable getting it here and costs and hassle of registering it. If it's £70 k at a UK dealer and you could find one privately here it could well be a more attractive deal especially as you get to meet the previous owner and speak the same language.

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

If you were paying £50 k privately in Germany and have vat on top that makes it £60 plus duty if applicable getting it here and costs and hassle of registering it. If it's £70 k at a UK dealer and you could find one privately here it could well be a more attractive deal especially as you get to meet the previous owner and speak the same language.

It's no surprise that people are confused or put off importing through concern over tripping up. I'd never have thought, for example, when buying privately in Germany that VAT would be payable. I reckon that to employ an agent would be wise if their fees are less than 20%.

 

[The Wino]

It's no surprise that people are confused or put off importing through concern over tripping up. I'd never have thought, for example, when buying privately in Germany that VAT would be payable. I reckon that to employ an agent would be wise if their fees are less than 20%.

Won't you then pay the vat plus the agents fees if it's a used vehicle?

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[CazPaul]

Won't you then pay the vat plus the agents fees if it's a used vehicle?

Yes I would imagine so, even more costs then.

 

[The Wino]

Yes I would imagine so, even more costs then.

Hindsight is a marvelous thing but imagine about 1.35 euro to the pound and no difficulty importing........missed it!

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

Won't you then pay the vat plus the agents fees if it's a used vehicle?

I've no idea hence confusion because I'm familiar with UK where you buy private and there's no vat. If paying an agent i suppose there could be VAT charged for those services whether there's VAT payable or not, on the vehicle.

It's certainly an issue that should be well researched.

 

[CazPaul]

I've no idea hence confusion because I'm familiar with UK where you buy private and there's no vat. If paying an agent i suppose there could be VAT charged for those services whether there's VAT payable or not, on the vehicle.

It's certainly an issue that should be well researched.

If buying used then you will pay 20% regardless of using an agent or not so using an agent is just an additional cost on top.

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

Is that payable to UKG? (or to the German govt). I've got some reading to do before I get an LHD base vehicle.

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[CazPaul]

Is that payable to UKG? (or to the German govt). I've got some reading to do before I get an LHD base vehicle.

UKG

 

[The Wino]

Is that payable to UKG? (or to the German govt). I've got some reading to do before I get an LHD base vehicle.

If it's LHD and registered already in the UK it should have had the vat already paid on it or it could have been brought to the UK before we left the EU in which case there's no vat due. I don't know what the situation is on vehicles but in sailing people are Very keen to keep a record and evidence of the boats vat status as the customs can ask for the vat from the current owner if they bought it with vat still being due.

BOAT SALES - VAT - How does leaving the EU affect the VAT status? - Boatshed Knowledge Base

Since the UK left the EU there may be some queries on the boats VAT status, hopefully the following will help. What happens if I have a boat in the EU and bring

www.boatshedsupport.com

A bit lengthy reading! On an expensive boat or vehicle it could be a big bill!

 

[gus-lopez]

ve no idea hence confusion because I'm familiar with UK where you buy private and there's no vat.

There's
no vat payable on a private purchase in Germany either. It is when you import it to the UK 20% becomes payable to uk.

 

[CustomBuild]

Is that payable to UKG? (or to the German govt). I've got some reading to do before I get an LHD base vehicle.

I’d recommend asking ChatGPT all the questions that you think of. Don’t take the answers as fact though, just good food for thought and further research.

And whatever answers you get, try the question a different way and see if you get the same answer.

Usually, within a couple of seconds, you’ll get comprehensive answers with site links, resources used and so on.

 

[Tandy]

We have just imported from Germany.
I had planned to do it all myself but the new rules on VAT meant I was quite relieved when circumstances changed and I needed to pass on the task to https://mycarimport.co.uk/.
I have got to say Ryan was amazing and kept me informed during the whole process plus you can check on there portal what stages each process had reached.
I was getting quite worried about driving it from the German dealers with only 3rd party trade plates so for this peace of mind alone I’m glad I put my trust in My Car Import.
I also found that no-one would insure me without a tracker etc fitted which they organised for me whilst in there secure compound waiting for the DVLA to register the motorhome.

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[Neilh]

Nice one! What vehicle did you get?

Neil