You took your UK registered car and re-registered it in Europe. You now have a local car. If you were to do it again would you take your UK car or would you sell and buy a local car ?
I'm getting to the point where I'm spending more time out of the UK than in and so have reached the point of do I buy new headlights and re-register my RHD car or sell it and buy local.
Cost to convert is less than 1000€ for headlights and new MOT.
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Hi Gmac, sorry for the delayed reply, we're travelling in the UK on one of our visits and don't get online much.
In summary, we decided at the time that we couldn't replace like for like by selling our Saab and buying locally, as we didn't want to add any cash to the deal. Another cost we had to pay was c. 1500 euros tax in addition to the 350 euros it cost to source second hand lights on Ebay (unfortunately xenons, so not cheap!). So yes, I would do the same again, but the finances might not work the same for you. If you are changing your car anyway, it's an option.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
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Thanks.
It all sounds as though it was pretty straight forward for you. No RHD issues for insurance for you.
My plan had been to go for a new Golf GTe in Spring but with the news changing weekly I'm not sure I want to throw a big (to me) chunk of money in that direction so soon. My plan B is then to export my current car, less than 5 years old, let the dust settle and review at my leisure . Better the devil you know and all that.
Enjoy the rest of your break.
Last edited by: gmac on Sat 7 Nov 15 at 02:06
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Pretty much our thoughts. No, we had no loading for RHD AFAIK.
Based on our experiences, I would recommend finding a friendly local to help you through the process, not least to minimise the tax due, as on our case it was based on emissions and value. You need to get it valued low!
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The tax does not appear to apply in Germany for EU imports, they are only interested if the car is less than 6 months or less than 6000kms. I still have the original invoice that proves the VAT was paid in the UK if they choose to go down that route.
The road tax is based on CCs and CO2, it's fixed at 228€ for my car.
I've checked the insurance (got quotes) and, as you say, there is no loading for RHD.
Just ordered the headlights, sent off for the local certificate to prove the vehicle has never been registered here before and is not on the stolen car list. I should have the headlights by next weekend. Get those fitted, get the car tested then it's the paperwork exercise with the local registration centre.
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Question for Mike H - Mike H
