Where did you buy your LHD Motorhome from?

[watsonjones]

We are currently resident in the US, but are planning to purchase a LHD Motorhome for use on multi-month trips to explore Europe. The camper will be registered in the UK and stored at my sisters house when not in use, but since we expect most of our time will be spent in Europe we wanted to get a LHD model. If you have purchased a LHD motorhome, would you mind letting us know who you purchased it through (private sale in UK, private sale in Europe, dealer in UK, dealer in Europe or direct from manufacturer). Also if you have any advice on the process that would be welcomed.

Thanks,
David & Jean Ann

 

[Hugoman]

It is now apart from old ones I think it's 20 years then only 5%.

So is this 20 years rolling ? 2003 this year 2004 next year ? Or can we import 2008 model in 2028 ? At 5%

 

[gus-lopez]

Is it 20% no matter the age…

as said,yes

especially if you’ve got time to tour around Germany, Holland looking.

If the OP has a look in Holland there are a few dealers in vans that will also allow them to be registered to the dealers address along with insurance the same. I came across them when looking a few years ago.

 

[Tim McGann]

Yes that is also true of some German dealers, however the prices, registration fees and taxes, especially the road tax, are much cheaper in Germany. That is what I am doing because I can't put it in my name as a non EU resident.

 

[Mikeamapola]

It is now apart from old ones I think it's 20 years then only 5%.

Back in 2007 whilst living in Spain, I purchased a 2004 Fiat Adria privately.
We relocated to the uk 2 years ago. As the van was more than 10 years old there was no import duty payable.
We were able to get new registration (age related Plate) . To do so required a UK MOT, A modification to the speedo as
it was in KM not miles. A little bit of hassle but not a big problem.

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[Lenny HB]

Back in 2007 whilst living in Spain, I purchased a 2004 Fiat Adria privately.
We relocated to the uk 2 years ago. As the van was more than 10 years old there was no import duty payable.
We were able to get new registration (age related Plate) . To do so required a UK MOT, A modification to the speedo as
it was in KM not miles. A little bit of hassle but not a big problem.

There is no duty or VAT on vehicle that is your personal vehicle that you are importing when you relocate, it is treated differently to buying abroad and importing.

 

[Mikeamapola]

There is no duty or VAT on vehicle that is your personal vehicle that you are importing when you relocate, it is treated differently to buying abroad and importing.

New UK registration achieved in March 2022. we left Spain August 2021. Lots of custom hoops to jump through due to Brexit.

 

[ukfetchfan]

We bought our LHD RV from Oakwell Motorhomes (oakwellmotorhomes.com) in Barnsley. They import them from USA and covert the electrics, lights etc. They have both new and second hand for sale.

 

[wfdTamar]

Your biggest issue will be getting insurance. As a 'dirty untrustworthy' foreigner the UK insurance industry will not want to bother with you, or charge far more than they charge a UK citizen/resident. I'm Australian, non resident. I paid £1050 the first time, then found a 'cheap' £875.

It had me wondering if registering & storing in one of the European countries might be a better option.

 

[Libellula]

We bought ours in Scotland ! But now taking it to France. It is popular with French people trying to save a bit of money to buy cars, vans etc in Germany where they are generally cheaper. Then you have up to 3 months before you are required to change the plates.

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[JJ]

I bought mine from Bio Campers near Coimbra...

JJ

 

[Ian Bosman]

Pretty sure it use to be you could import a second hand van without import duty if it was so many months old with more than a few thousand miles.
Now I think any second hand van attracts the 20% tax, new ones you can buy tax free and then just pay the tax due in the UK.

Obviously I could be talking rubbish

When i returned from Zambia with my VW Variant in 1972 it was imported free of duty but i had to keep it for at least two years otherwise duty had to be paid. No idea what happens now

 

[corconx]

We are currently resident in the US, but are planning to purchase a LHD Motorhome for use on multi-month trips to explore Europe. The camper will be registered in the UK and stored at my sisters house when not in use, but since we expect most of our time will be spent in Europe we wanted to get a LHD model. If you have purchased a LHD motorhome, would you mind letting us know who you purchased it through (private sale in UK, private sale in Europe, dealer in UK, dealer in Europe or direct from manufacturer). Also if you have any advice on the process that would be welcomed.

Thanks,
David & Jean Ann

Hi David and Jean

Just seen post.

We have owned motorhomes since 1999 and had 6 - 5 were LHD on purpose as we did more miles in Europe where we were unfamiliar with roads etc

Last two we purchased abroad new one in Germany and the last in France. Specified to our needs and we added essentials to us - for staying out of campsites.

We had decided to retire at end of last year and as we live down in Cornwall (too far from most of buyers) have left it with a dealer to sell on our behalf).

It has been a lovely and best motorhome we owned

It is here for sale. https://www.andrewjamesmotorhomes.co.uk/used/motorhomes/dethleffs-trend-t7057eb-10040/

If I can help or answer any questions please PM me.

It has a list of extras included James can provide a list of those too

Buying LHD is quite difficult in UK. We had bought second hand in Germany privately too before buying new.

Carol Weaver

Our trips are also on Polarsteps should you want a link

 

[Peter Clark]

We are currently resident in the US, but are planning to purchase a LHD Motorhome for use on multi-month trips to explore Europe. The camper will be registered in the UK and stored at my sisters house when not in use, but since we expect most of our time will be spent in Europe we wanted to get a LHD model. If you have purchased a LHD motorhome, would you mind letting us know who you purchased it through (private sale in UK, private sale in Europe, dealer in UK, dealer in Europe or direct from manufacturer). Also if you have any advice on the process that would be welcomed.

Thanks,
David & Jean Ann

If you are in a position to act now, there is a 2006 Niesmann Bischoff LHD A Class with 3 litre engine on sale in the motorhome fun classifieds - can't recall the mileage, but its quite low.

I had a look at it but it was a bit too big for me as a solo traveller - though its only 6.8 metres - and has massive amounts of storage space - rear bed and drop down bed - 4 belted seats - upholstery in excellent condition - it's been mechanically well maintained, has a cam chain not a belt - tyres all good - on an AL-KO chassis too.

Owner downplated the chassis from 4000kgs to 3500kgs, so its an easy paperwork exercise to put it back to 4000kgs.

Owner has had it for several years but now wants to sell quite quickly - its advertised for £30k which is probably a few thousand under what it is worth.

 

[Markha]

We bought ours through motorhome depot; we were after a very specific make and model so when one came up for sale we jumped at it. Probably more expensive than going for a private sale through autotrader but we're very happy with the end result.

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[wfdTamar]

Foreigners are limited to 3500kg.

 

[Lenny HB]

Foreigners are limited to 3500kg.

???

 

[Hugoman]

???

He said foreigners are limited to 3500kg

 

[Lenny HB]

He said foreigners are limited to 3500kg

Meaningless statement, they are not.

 

[Hugoman]

Meaningless statement, they are not.

That may be true….I just thought you were confused as to what he said

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[wfdTamar]

I was posting in reference to the OP's stated usage (non resident driving a UK vehicle). A foreigner (non resident) owning a Motorhome in the UK can only have max 3500kg regardless of what licence they have in their own country. In Australia a standard car licence allows max 4500kg, but we can only do 3500kg in the UK. That may be the OP’s situation.

 

[Hugoman]

A foreigner (non resident) owning a Motorhome in the UK can only have max 3500kg regardless of what licence they have in their own country. In Australia a standard car licence allows max 4500kg, but we can only do 3500kg in the UK. That may be the OP’s situation.

Ooh err

 

[Redroamer]

We are currently resident in the US, but are planning to purchase a LHD Motorhome for use on multi-month trips to explore Europe. The camper will be registered in the UK and stored at my sisters house when not in use, but since we expect most of our time will be spent in Europe we wanted to get a LHD model. If you have purchased a LHD motorhome, would you mind letting us know who you purchased it through (private sale in UK, private sale in Europe, dealer in UK, dealer in Europe or direct from manufacturer). Also if you have any advice on the process that would be welcomed.

Thanks,
David & Jean Ann

Mine was sourced through M&C in Hull. Rimor dealers.

 

[Molly A]

We are currently resident in the US, but are planning to purchase a LHD Motorhome for use on multi-month trips to explore Europe. The camper will be registered in the UK and stored at my sisters house when not in use, but since we expect most of our time will be spent in Europe we wanted to get a LHD model. If you have purchased a LHD motorhome, would you mind letting us know who you purchased it through (private sale in UK, private sale in Europe, dealer in UK, dealer in Europe or direct from manufacturer). Also if you have any advice on the process that would be welcomed.

Thanks,
David & Jean Ann

Private sale in the UK. We specifically wanted LHD because most of our travelling is in Europe.

 

[watsonjones]

Hi David and Jean

Just seen post.

We have owned motorhomes since 1999 and had 6 - 5 were LHD on purpose as we did more miles in Europe where we were unfamiliar with roads etc

Last two we purchased abroad new one in Germany and the last in France. Specified to our needs and we added essentials to us - for staying out of campsites.

We had decided to retire at end of last year and as we live down in Cornwall (too far from most of buyers) have left it with a dealer to sell on our behalf).

It has been a lovely and best motorhome we owned

It is here for sale. https://www.andrewjamesmotorhomes.co.uk/used/motorhomes/dethleffs-trend-t7057eb-10040/

If I can help or answer any questions please PM me.

It has a list of extras included James can provide a list of those too

Buying LHD is quite difficult in UK. We had bought second hand in Germany privately too before buying new.

Carol Weaver

Our trips are also on Polarsteps should you want a link

Carol,

That looks like a great unit but we are still in the research phase and are not planning to purchase until early 2024. I am sure this unit will be long gone by then.

Thanks,
David & Jean Ann

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[watsonjones]

If you are in a position to act now, there is a 2006 Niesmann Bischoff LHD A Class with 3 litre engine on sale in the motorhome fun classifieds - can't recall the mileage, but its quite low.

I had a look at it but it was a bit too big for me as a solo traveller - though its only 6.8 metres - and has massive amounts of storage space - rear bed and drop down bed - 4 belted seats - upholstery in excellent condition - it's been mechanically well maintained, has a cam chain not a belt - tyres all good - on an AL-KO chassis too.

Owner downplated the chassis from 4000kgs to 3500kgs, so its an easy paperwork exercise to put it back to 4000kgs.

Owner has had it for several years but now wants to sell quite quickly - its advertised for £30k which is probably a few thousand under what it is worth.

Peter,

Thanks for the info, but we are still in the research phase and not planning to buy anything until early 2024.

Thank you,
David & Jean Ann

 

[watsonjones]

I was posting in reference to the OP's stated usage (non resident driving a UK vehicle). A foreigner (non resident) owning a Motorhome in the UK can only have max 3500kg regardless of what licence they have in their own country. In Australia a standard car licence allows max 4500kg, but we can only do 3500kg in the UK. That may be the OP’s situation.

Thanks for the info. I think we will probably stick to a unit under 3500kg anyway. It's just the two of us and we are trying to get a small unit to aid us in our travels throughout Europe . Even though I grew up in the UK and had a license that would have exempted me from this restriction, it has since expired and we would have to establish residency for 6 months in order for me to be able to renew it.

 

[wfdTamar]

If you can live with the front drop down bed, it’s a great space saver in a sub 3500 kg.

The only thing you have to watch out for is that there’s enough payload left in the design.

 

[watsonjones]

Since we plan on spending around 6 months in it at a time, I think we are set on the rear German style fixed twin beds. I know, we are looking for a Unicorn, a small unit with fixed rear twin beds. Something will have to give.