New LHD Motorhome dealers in UK?

[Soycd]

Looking to buy a new PVC at the moment. Globecar Summit Prime 640 is ticking a lot of boxes, as do a few others. Does anyone know of any UK dealers who import and sell LHD? We would much prefer LHD. In the past we have imported a number of LHD motorhomes but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to do personal imports and certainly the savings are not really there anymore.

 

[WESTY66]

Looking to buy a new PVC at the moment. Globecar Summit Prime 640 is ticking a lot of boxes, as do a few others. Does anyone know of any UK dealers who import and sell LHD? We would much prefer LHD. In the past we have imported a number of LHD motorhomes but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to do personal imports and certainly the savings are not really there anymore.

You could try SMC they told me they could get me a LHD knaus a couple of months ago

 

[Roby2008]

Looking to buy a new PVC at the moment. Globecar Summit Prime 640 is ticking a lot of boxes, as do a few others. Does anyone know of any UK dealers who import and sell LHD? We would much prefer LHD. In the past we have imported a number of LHD motorhomes but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to do personal imports and certainly the savings are not really there anymore.

DAVAN in Weston-Super-Mare quoted me on a lhd Pilote P969D back in the summer, price was good. It was only the import into the EU that killed it [we live in Bavaria]....incredibly helpful people

 

[Minxy]

All you can do is contact the UK dealers and see if they're willing to do it, unfortunately they are 'subsidiaries' in effect of SMC regarding Globecars as all of the ordering goes through them.

 

[Soycd]

You could try SMC they told me they could get me a LHD knaus a couple of months ago

Interesting! I was talking to them yesterday and no mention of being able to get anything LHD even when I said LHD was my preference. Thanks for the info though, I’m hoping to speak to them again at NEC.

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[Soycd]

All you can do is contact the UK dealers and see if they're willing to do it, unfortunately they are 'subsidiaries' in effect of SMC regarding Globecars as all of the ordering goes through them.

Thanks for the info. I’m sort of getting strange vibes about SMC? Will be speaking to them next week at NEC so will reserve judgment.

 

[Soycd]

DAVAN in Weston-Super-Mare quoted me on a lhd Pilote P969D back in the summer, price was good. It was only the import into the EU that killed it [we live in Bavaria]....incredibly helpful people

Thanks for that, I’ll look them up. Not being funny but if you live in Germany, can’t you get a LHD Pilote there? Just curious!

 

[Roby2008]

Thanks for that, I’ll look them up. Not being funny but if you live in Germany, can’t you get a LHD Pilote there? Just curious!

We could but couldn't get to see one to see if it was suitable for wheelchair access and conversion, we found one at Davan while touring and the sales manager worked out the lhd thing for us so we could compare... .did order one in Germany last month. Just waiting to see if its 2023 or 2024 delivery

 

[gus-lopez]

LHDrive in th Uk should be quicker than rhdrive as they manufacture them continually & most french dealers we passed had , as usual, overflowing yards full of them.
In the last 14 years I have never seena french dealer ,even in tiny villages, short of stock.
I can't believe that it is now harder to import a lhdrive vehicle than it was back in the late 70's?

 

[Soycd]

I can't believe that it is now harder to import a lhdrive vehicle than it was back in the late 70's?

I don't know about the late 70s, but the difference between about 1996 and now is significant. The first van I imported I drove across, went to DVLA and it was registered within about 30 minutes. With each subsequent import (5) it got more and more complex and the closure of DVLA local offices didn't help either. There are many more hoops to jump through, changing tachometer reading, changing headlights, informing VOSA, getting letter from VCA, ordering an import pack, filling out the V55 application, sorting out insurance on a VIN number, the list seems to go on. There seems to be an active undercurrent to discourage personal imports! The exchange rate now is also lousy compared to the years back when getting Euro 1.50 to the £ was not uncommon. In the near future it's also likely that the CoC will not be recognised so each imported vehicle will need individually for type approval.

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[Lenny HB]

Iike Soycd says its got more difficult over the years. First one we imported was 2008 it was a doddle then the rules alll changed in 2012. Having to get the vehicle inspected then a IVA certificate from VCA & having to pay the vat up front before you can register. Last two vans we imported took around 6 weeks to get registered compared to a few days for the first one.
They planed to phase out recognition of the European C of C this year if they do you will need a DVSA test that can take weeks to arrange.
This time we have ordered a LHD from a UK dealer, with the way the market is at the moment its not cost us any more.

 

[Jagtazman]

Iike Soycd says its got more difficult over the years. First one we imported was 2008 it was a doddle then the rules alll changed in 2012. Having to get the vehicle inspected then a IVA certificate from VCA & having to pay the vat up front before you can register. Last two vans we imported took around 6 weeks to get registered compared to a few days for the first one.
They planed to phase out recognition of the European C of C this year if they do you will need a DVSO test that can take weeks to arrange.
This time we have ordered a LHD from a UK dealer, with the way the market is at the moment its not cost us any more.

What a LHD the same cost as a RHD?

 

[Rob Turner]

Importing isn’t as easy as it was when the local DVLA offices were open, however, it’s not difficult now.
As Lenny has mentioned, if they do phase out the CoC recognition then it will become a bit of a PITA but if the right vehicle is found and the € gets better then I’d go for it.
I picked up my current van at the end of March this year and the € was ok.
HMRC and the IVA went through in a few days, the DVLA were dragging their feet though but a quick email to Grant Shapps and it was sorted the following week.

 

[Lenny HB]

What a LHD the same cost as a RHD?

In the past when we have ordered Hymer abroad it would have been €1500 more for RHD.
We have now order a Carthago and they are now charging the same for both. But divery should be quicker for LHD.

 

[RichardPG52]

If you get a LHD model make sure that it has UK spec headlights and speedo dial. The standard Fiat / Citroen / Peugeot headlights are very expensive to replace with UK specification ones.

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[Wombles]

If you get a LHD model make sure that it has UK spec headlights and speedo dial. The standard Fiat / Citroen / Peugeot headlights are very expensive to replace with UK specification ones.

Speedo dials an easy replacement from Lockwood https://lockwoodinternational.co.uk/dials/ & if headlights aren't flat beam then Coastal have fair prices for replacements https://coastalmotorhomes.co.uk/electrical-lighting.html plus possible Funster discount but you do need to be a paid subscription Funster for most discounts

 

[Rob Turner]

Lights and Speedo conversion doesn‘t cost a lot at all and take minutes to fit.

 

[funflair]

Iike Soycd says its got more difficult over the years. First one we imported was 2008 it was a doddle then the rules alll changed in 2012. Having to get the vehicle inspected then a IVA certificate from VCA & having to pay the vat up front before you can register. Last two vans we imported took around 6 weeks to get registered compared to a few days for the first one.
They planned to phase out recognition of the European C of C this year if they do you will need a DVSO test that can take weeks to arrange.
This time we have ordered a LHD from a UK dealer, with the way the market is at the moment its not cost us any more.

So if this was to happen how do you imagine dealers will register all the new cars and vans that come in every day? or are we all going to be driving Autotrail? oh hang on Fiat chassis will need certificate. Have they not made the change now with the "GB conversion IVA"

Did you mean DVSO? is so what is it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Did you mean DVSO? is so what is it.

Typo meant DVSA.

 

[Rob Turner]

The IVA test can take up to a couple of hours but I can’t see it coming to that, unless our current government do something stupid

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[Lenny HB]

The IVA test can take up to a couple of hours but I can’t see it coming to that, unless our current government do something stupid

Wish full thinking.

 

[CazPaul]

So if this was to happen how do you imagine dealers will register all the new cars and vans that come in every day? or are we all going to be driving Autotrail? oh hang on Fiat chassis will need certificate. Have they not made the change now with the "GB conversion IVA"

Did you mean DVSO? is so what is it.

I would still buy from abroad if I was still looking and the right van came along.

There’s so much choice and scope to get what’s on your list buying in Germany. There’s virtually no way we would have been able to get what we wanted from the UK, sub 7 metre A class, Iveco twin rear wheel manual, quality construction, fully loaded etc etc.

 

[Don Campbell]

The IVA test can take up to a couple of hours but I can’t see it coming to that, unless our current government do something stupid

Practically unthinkable surely. Governments don't do stupid things do they? Oh just remembered - one down, one to go - Liz on toast.

 

[Lenny HB]

I would still buy from abroad if I was still looking and the right van came along.

There’s so much choice and scope to get what’s on your list buying in Germany. There’s virtually no way we would have been able to get what we wanted from the UK, sub 7 metre A class, Iveco twin rear wheel manual, quality construction, fully loaded etc etc.

Unfortunately you won't t be able to get that spec on a new van, no one builds anything that small on an Iveco anymore and even second hand ones will be quite old.

 

[funflair]

Unfortunately you won't t be able to get that spec on a new van, no one builds anything that small on an Iveco anymore and even second hand ones will be quite old.

I will answer for Paul you couldn't give him a new van never mind persuade him to pay for one.

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[CazPaul]

I will answer for Paul you couldn't give him a new van never mind persuade him to pay for one.

Hey, you know me too well Martin, you’re right on both counts.

Lenny HB I was talking about another older model, in case a nice older Variomobil turns up, 6.5 metres roughly, all the toys RWD etc.
And before you say it doesn’t exist Martin neither of us knows what some rich German has gone to Bohmte asking to be made

Then I could certainly be looking under the mattress to see where she’s hid the stash

I’m dreaming again but if I won the lottery then I have wrote down already my requirements for them so a new one would be on the cards but only to my spec, no fancy gimmicks.

 

[Minxy]

Then I could certainly be looking under the mattress to see where she’s hid the stash

Too late, now she's seen your post she's moved it!

 

[RobSelectMotorhomes]

Looking to buy a new PVC at the moment. Globecar Summit Prime 640 is ticking a lot of boxes, as do a few others. Does anyone know of any UK dealers who import and sell LHD? We would much prefer LHD. In the past we have imported a number of LHD motorhomes but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to do personal imports and certainly the savings are not really there anymore.

Alan Kerr Ltd in Paignton have LHD Knaus Van Ti's and Van Tourers due shortly if that helps. Not strictly PVC's but the Van Tourers are lowline and under 6m on the VW platform, with all the on board facilities you need. Perhaps worth a look?

Please get in touch for more info. 01803 522098. Ask for Rob (Sales Manager)

https://www.knaus.com/en-uk/brand-world/innovations-2023/the-new-tourer-cuv/

 

[Soycd]

What a LHD the same cost as a RHD?

If you mean buying LHD in UK then I don't know. If you mean buying LHD and importing from Europe then at the moment there doesn't appear to be that much of a saving as there used to be. When you factor in the exchange rate and the hassle factor then the savings can be diminished.

 

[Soycd]

Alan Kerr Ltd in Paignton have LHD Knaus Van Ti's and Van Tourers due shortly if that helps. Not strictly PVC's but the Van Tourers are lowline and under 6m on the VW platform, with all the on board facilities you need. Perhaps worth a look?

Please get in touch for more info. 01803 522098. Ask for Rob (Sales Manager)

https://www.knaus.com/en-uk/brand-world/innovations-2023/the-new-tourer-cuv/

Thanks for that I'll have a look. If they can do Knaus then maybe they can also do other makes/models as well. I'm going to Birmingham next Thursday so I'll be asking about the availability of LHD. Also down in Totnes week after next so Paignton is just down the road.