Importing a LHD

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Fri 15 Nov 2002 12:29
Importing a LHD - cabsmanuk
I'm thinking of buying a new car (not sure which one yet) and would
like to import one from Belgium/Holland. I know I will be able to order a RHD
car but it may take a while for delivery. I don't mind sitting on
the wrong side of the car when driving so I'm thinking of importing
a left hooker. Can anyone think of any benefits or drawbacks to this
hare brained idea?

Chris
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Fri 15 Nov 2002 12:55
Importing a LHD - DavidHM
Disadvantages: Resale. Overtaking. Insurance.

Benefits - it'll be cheap. There are a lot of importers in Germany that have cars in stock that they could sell you for re-export. Basically they buy, either in eastern Europe, Spain or Denmark at a discount and pass some of that discount on to their customers with a slim profit margin. That would mean you wouldn't have to haggle.

It might be worth it for something very desirable, e.g., Audi TT (although they're starting to fade), M3 or a new E Class, which people want anyway and you might be able to sell later to the middle east or Russia. But buy a Xsara or a Stilo and laugh all the way to the scrapyard - nearly new, they're as cheap as chips, and a lhd of uncertain spec would have to be nearly free to shift, with no export market either.
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Fri 15 Nov 2002 14:35
Importing a LHD - Galaxy
It used to be the case that there was an automatic 25% loading on your insurance premium for driving a LHD car in this country.

I can't believe the situation would be any better than that today.
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Fri 15 Nov 2002 14:49
Importing a LHD - Ian Cook
Drawbacks, in addition to those already stated:

Paying at car park and toll booths
KPH speedo
LHD headlights

Benefits: Will anyone want to steal it?
;-)

Ian Cook
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Fri 15 Nov 2002 15:58
Importing a LHD - Pugugly {P}
As some may be aware I have an LHD Defender which I imported (or re-patriated) last summer. There are drawbacks but not many, it has an mph speedo (15 pounds from a scrappy) it has RHD lights (£40.00 from the same scrappy) Insurance was a doddle. Insured as an agricultural vehicle - which it is in more than one sense ! and there was no loading for LHD - don't do overtakes in it hve the 330 for that sort of stuff.
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Fri 15 Nov 2002 16:00
Importing a LHD - Dwight Van Driver
-------Insured as an agricultural vehicle -----
..but Taxed as private Light Goods???????

DVD
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Fri 15 Nov 2002 16:08
Importing a LHD - Ian Cook
A Landie is in a class of its own, isn't it PU? I've driven many a mile in them (RHD and LHD), mostly in the Falkland Islands, and it doesn't matter where the steering wheel is - it might just as well be in the back! - it's such a brilliant vehicle.
;-)

Ian Cook
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Fri 15 Nov 2002 19:41
Importing a LHD - T Lucas
About 15 years ago i bought a 9 month old BMW 535 from local company that i bought all of the cars from.They had inherited this car with a German company that they had bought and of course it being a left hooker and on German plates none of the fleet users wanted to drive it.Well i bought it for, at the time a very,very cheap price,it was great,you could drive as fast as you wanted,park anywhere without any problems at all.Driving LHD is no problem,and if you want a new LHD car in Europe especially a BMW or Mercedes you can 'save'a big chunk of money.If you keep it a long time the depreciation factor is not so serious and you can allways sell them in the UK privately or sell it to a LHD specialist.I sold mine to The LHD Place in Basingstoke.A lot of new cars i think can have the lights changed on the car by adjusters under the bonnet,and you can fit a speedo converter chip to change the KPH to MPH for usually less than £100.I dont know the figures for buying a brand new BMW/Mercedes LHD but i guess somebody will tell us,better chance of a discount as well probably.
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