Left Hand Drive (LHD) Motorhomes - No Longer Acceptable for UK Registration?

[Hymer Life]

A very well known dealer in the UK is telling me that I cannot now order a new LHD vehicle for UK delivery from them as the CoC's being provided by EU manufacturers are not acceptable to UK authorities.

Can anyone confirm or challenge this, please?

 

[deleted79651]

There is a Thread dated 6th October 2021 in Motorhome Chat startedby Lenny HB 'Update on UK Importing' [? re Title] that indicates that the EU CoC will be replaced by a UK version. My Post #16 contained details of the changed names etc that I lifted from a Technical Presentation

Steve

 

[Wack]

As it was RHD it shouldn't have needed a check. The first Hymer I imported in 2008 was RHD I just registered it at the local DVLA office no checks, didn't even have to pay the vat for a month, those were the days.

As I was vat registered I didn't have to pay the VAT at all , just account for it in the books rather than paying it , waiting 3 months then claiming it back.

They also gave me 2 options re numberates , it was legal to drive it insured on the chassis number with no plates on as it wasn't registered in the UK or I could have it registered on Belgian plates and drive it home on those

I chose the Belgian plates rather than watch every copper on the M62 spit his tea out as I drove past with no plates on

 

[Lenny HB]

I chose the Belgian plates rather than watch every copper on the M62 spit his tea out as I drove past with no plates on

All 3 I've imported drove home on false Belgium plates for the same reason.

 

[Jim]

The thread title is wrong, it will be acceptable. Dealers have been bringing LHD vehicles in from outside the EU for years. They have to jump through hoops, but they do it. US RV's for instance.

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[Steve and Denise]

My pal just collected his new imported LHD Jeep Gladiator on Wednesday this week with Iva on the road ready to drive to Menororca where he spends most of his time.

 

[Lenny HB]

My pal just collected his new imported LHD Jeep Gladiator on Wednesday this week with Iva on the road ready to drive to Menororca where he spends most of his time.

Just in time it's from January UK won't recognise European C of C

 

[Steve and Denise]

Just in time it's from January UK won't recognise European C of C

Funny you should say that he has just placed a order for a new Range Rover LHD from the same supplier with a delivery date in August 2023, we shall see what happens but he is no fool, and takes no chances with money

 

[Lenny HB]

Funny you should say that he has just placed a order for a new Range Rover LHD from the same supplier with a delivery date in August 2023, we shall see what happens but he is no fool, and takes no chances with money

Range Rover is built in UK so will have a UK C of C.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Range Rover is built in UK so will have a UK C of C.

That may be the case but it is still LHD so not sure how this fits with the original post ? Oh and it is much cheaper than UK !

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[wfdTamar]

Anyone know if that applies to a previously registered one that's been on SORN since Sep 2019? I intend coming over May next year, get an MOT and off to France.

 

[Folkranger]

RHD doesn't work with an A Class as if you have the option of a drivers door it's on the passenger side.

Nah. You quickly get used to it. Never been an issue for me. 'Course she has to open site barriers on a rainy day.

 

[lizibit]

Maybe a silly question, but we're looking for used LHD in UK now. Assume this rule change is only affecting any new imports? What docs should I check accompany any previously imported MHs? Ta

 

[sallys]

Hi Martin,

It could be that this dealer is simply being unhelpful or selfish in that they don't want to have to go through this process every time waiting for the VCA inspections to be completed prior to the sale being completed. As LHD are likely to be a large part of their business I would think this must surely change.

Based on the info the dealer gave me, I was going to settle for a RHD version but I actually prefer LHD on our MH, so will simply order from an EU supplier and deal with the paperwork here.

As for the Morelo imports, I'm confident the UK dealer will happily complete the paperwork for his customers; it's just a shame others are not like that.

We haven’t been notified of an issue with this but will definitely double check on Monday…as it’s easy for this sort of thing to not be mentioned! Don’t need any extra hassle

 

[Emmit]

As I was vat registered I didn't have to pay the VAT at all , just account for it in the books rather than paying it , waiting 3 months then claiming it back.

They also gave me 2 options re numberates , it was legal to drive it insured on the chassis number with no plates on as it wasn't registered in the UK or I could have it registered on Belgian plates and drive it home on those

I chose the Belgian plates rather than watch every copper on the M62 spit his tea out as I drove past with no plates on

Pllleeeaassse???? Capafrapachino, (with extra sprinkles)

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[gus-lopez]

Anyone know if that applies to a previously registered one that's been on SORN since Sep 2019? I intend coming over May next year, get an MOT and off to France.

No ,nothing to do with anything already registered & sorn'd. You just un- sorn yours & tax it

 

[Lenny HB]

Maybe a silly question, but we're looking for used LHD in UK now. Assume this rule change is only affecting any new imports? What docs should I check accompany any previously imported MHs? Ta

No different to buying a RHD you can't register a LHD unless it meets the regs.
As with all Motorhomes LHD or RHD, make sure you get the Certificate of Conformity.

 

[Minxy]

RHD doesn't work with an A Class as if you have the option of a drivers door it's on the passenger side.

Oh yes it does! 2 cab doors would be better but if there was a choice of only 1 we'd always go for the passenger (left) side as it gives acces on both sides of the MH which is very useful when you have dogs!

 

[WESTY66]

Maybe a silly question, but we're looking for used LHD in UK now. Assume this rule change is only affecting any new imports? What docs should I check accompany any previously imported MHs? Ta

Depends how much you want to spend but there’s a cracking LHD adria sonic a class at Alan Kerr motorhomes!! Simon-Alan Kerr will look after you. I can vouch for the sonic, it used to be mine!

 

[Ian.s]

It appears finance is not available for left hand drive vehicles in the uk, at least that was my experience. It also makes resale a little harder. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. However if like me you travel in Europe as well as the uk then the advantages and disadvantages move back and forward de[pending where you are

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[WESTY66]

It appears finance is not available for left hand drive vehicles in the uk, at least that was my experience. It also makes resale a little harder. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. However if like me you travel in Europe as well as the uk then the advantages and disadvantages move back and forward de[pending where you are

Not quite true at all, I’ve had to finance some of the price on my last two LHD purchases ( I’ve wasted all my money on Harley Davidsons and the HD lifestyle hence didn’t have all the money to purchase cash).

 

[Lenny HB]

It appears finance is not available for left hand drive vehicles in the uk, at least that was my experience. It also makes resale a little harder. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. However if like me you travel in Europe as well as the uk then the advantages and disadvantages move back and forward de[pending where you are

Never heard that before wonder if it's salesman BS, always paid cash for our vans, the thought of how much interest you would pay would make my wallet abandon ship.

 

[Ian.s]

Not quite true at all, I’ve had to finance some of the price on my last two LHD purchases ( I’ve wasted all my money on Harley Davidsons and the HD lifestyle hence didn’t have all the money to purchase cash).

As I said, "in my experience", so quite true in my case..... However Im sure others have had different experiences

 

[Ian.s]

Never heard that before wonder if it's salesman BS, always paid cash for our vans, the thought of how much interest you would pay would make my wallet abandon ship.

It was Hitachi finance. Every cloud and all that. Their loss. Delighted with the purchase I eventually made and partly financed.

 

[Minxy]

It appears finance is not available for left hand drive vehicles in the uk, at least that was my experience. It also makes resale a little harder. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. However if like me you travel in Europe as well as the uk then the advantages and disadvantages move back and forward de[pending where you are

Financed via the dealer I assume?

Not quite true at all, I’ve had to finance some of the price on my last two LHD purchases ( I’ve wasted all my money on Harley Davidsons and the HD lifestyle hence didn’t have all the money to purchase cash).

Was this a private finance deal (eg bank) or via a dealer?

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[CazPaul]

It appears finance is not available for left hand drive vehicles in the uk, at least that was my experience. It also makes resale a little harder. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. However if like me you travel in Europe as well as the uk then the advantages and disadvantages move back and forward de[pending where you are

Wow I’ve not heard that one before if you believe this thread title as well it will really deter people.

I can see a future post saying if you have a LHD then you cant have a vaccine booster

 

[Ian.s]

Financed via the MH dealer I assume?

Was this a private finance deal (eg bank) or via a dealer?

It was a private dealer. To be fair to the dealer I have had three motorhomes in the last eighteen months until I settled on the one i have now. I dealt directly with my finance company and thats when we had a problem with the LHD.

 

[pandas]

Never heard that before wonder if it's salesman BS, always paid cash for our vans, the thought of how much interest you would pay would make my wallet abandon ship.

is there an insurance implication? There has been a separate question on my insurance over the years LHD/RHD but not sure if it impacted on the cost or anything else.

 

[Lenny HB]

is there an insurance implication? There has been a separate question on my insurance over the years LHD/RHD but not sure if it impacted on the cost or anything else.

LHD cars attract higher premiums & some companies won't insure them but in my experience it doesn't make any odds with Motorhome insurers.

 

[WESTY66]

LHD cars attract higher premiums & some companies won't insure them but in my experience it doesn't make any odds with Motorhome insurers.

No difference in my premiums either

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[jongood]

The biggest problem with registering vehicles in UK is and always has been DVLA. They re not fit for purpose, but nobody fancies tackling it.