Importing my new German motorhome Forums

darach

Went to Germany in October 2007, ordered my new motorhome in November and was told it would be ready in April. Got a phone call the first week in April to say the motorhome was ready to collect. Picked it up at the german dealer with no VAT to pay, he loaned us his trade plates and registered us on his garage insurance fully comprehensive. We also registered it to get german tourist plates, drove to the ferry and swapped on to the german tourist plates and sent his trade plates back by carrier. When we hit british soil, out own british insurance kicked in fully comprehensive and with the german tourist plates on we were able to drive home to Scotland. our insurance told us we had 30 days to inform them of our british registration no. Filled in all our paperwork for DVLA, because motorhomes are exempt from type approval a lot of the main form did not have to be filled in, we also filled in a form for customs and excise which all had to go to DVLA. Within a week we had our tax disc and registration no. and a week later received a bill from the VAT to be paid within a month. all in all there was no great difficulties and even although the euro was a disaster for us we still saved money and bought a vehicle from a dealer who was interested in selling.
Derek

Bethune

Hi Derek, I am glad it all went well. One question. Did you have to get the speedo changed to read m.p.h, adjust the headlights and change the rear red foglight to offside in order top get it taxed and registered ?

darach

Hi Bethune
No, we did not have to do anything to get it registered. I believe that DVLA ask for a percentage to go to their office to be checked, but I think this is solely to check the VIN number and that the vehicle is actually a motorhome.
I have actually changed the rear fog lamp myself as it is a legal requirement. The headlights, I haven't done it yet but I will fit beam benders which I believe will keep the vehicle legal and as I intend to use it mostly on the continent I will just have to remove them when I go. As regards the speedo, another legal requirement, the vehicle actually has 2. A normal speedo and a digital readout. I have spoke to my local Mercedes dealer who thinks it might be possible to reprogramme the digital readout to read in mpg, I have to take it to the dealer to have it checked - which we will do.
Hope this answers all your questions.
Derek

1946

Hi Derek,

I am so pleased for you that it all worked out and you have a beautiful Frankia.

Kind regards

Maddie

darach

Hi Maddie
Thanks again for your recommendation which was spot on, couldn't meet nicer folk to deal with. How did you get on ?
Derek & Bel

hogan

Hi Derek
Glad it all went without a hitch.I imported into Spain last year and it took me three months to get the paperwork sorted, Evil or Very Mad

Good old Blighty