Non Resident Export to UK
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been interested in a 2015+ shape Charger for a while now, looking at potential prices of shipping one from the US to the UK. Plenty of companies and well documented. However, I've just recently noticed that prices are a good deal lower in UAE compared to the US. I've come across Dubicars who seem to offer an export service, inspection, secure payment, the RTA paperwork and arrange shipping etc to the UK. From which I will have to organise collection from port, IVA, registration etc.
Has anyone had any experience with this outfit. Also welcome any other recommendations. I'm a UK resident with no links to the UAE.
Many Thanks
I've been interested in a 2015+ shape Charger for a while now, looking at potential prices of shipping one from the US to the UK. Plenty of companies and well documented. However, I've just recently noticed that prices are a good deal lower in UAE compared to the US. I've come across Dubicars who seem to offer an export service, inspection, secure payment, the RTA paperwork and arrange shipping etc to the UK. From which I will have to organise collection from port, IVA, registration etc.
Has anyone had any experience with this outfit. Also welcome any other recommendations. I'm a UK resident with no links to the UAE.
Many Thanks
Edited by TWR_Jaguar on Thursday 9th December 13:18
There are quite a few companies on eBay that seem to be making a decent margin importing us cars from the ME which makes me think it has to be worthwhile. Be very interested to see any advice on this post as I’d like to follow suit. I have enough contacts in Dubai to do an inspection of the car etc. needs to be de registered in the ME before export too.
Look at the FB pages for the Challenger - yes M.E. cars do seem to be cheaper but it does seem to be a bit of a crapshoot (that's not to impugn said company - just talking about generalities). A fair few seem to come over with dodgy service records, accident damage, sun-damage....
Caveat emptor is DEFINITELY the case here
Caveat emptor is DEFINITELY the case here
Certainly I've seen the same comments about quality of some cars, which is why the mentioned outfit above interests me. They will do a pre purchase inspection that seems to be decently comprehensive (although probably no where near as detailed if I was viewing). But since I don't have a trusted agent or contact, it seems to be the next best option.
1. Ensure you buy a GCC spec car. A lot come in from the US - these are often rebuilt cars that have been in an accident, suffered storm damage etc.
2. Ask the seller for permission to speak to the main agent who have serviced the car. Get the records
3. A lot of cars have clean title but have been in an accident and repaired privately - so no insurance or main dealer records.
4. Get it checked my a garage.
5. Have the car pass an RTA test (similar to MOT). This should show any significant issues.
6. There are a lot of bad cars in the market. Is the saving really worth the risk?
7. Car has to be de-registered for export.
8. Speak to CARS - they can likely help with the logistics on moving the car.
9. Flights are cheap. Consider coming out, have a holiday and do it yourself.
10. It’s a terrible car. WTF are you thinking?
Personally, I would not take the risk. But best of luck with it if you do.
2. Ask the seller for permission to speak to the main agent who have serviced the car. Get the records
3. A lot of cars have clean title but have been in an accident and repaired privately - so no insurance or main dealer records.
4. Get it checked my a garage.
5. Have the car pass an RTA test (similar to MOT). This should show any significant issues.
6. There are a lot of bad cars in the market. Is the saving really worth the risk?
7. Car has to be de-registered for export.
8. Speak to CARS - they can likely help with the logistics on moving the car.
9. Flights are cheap. Consider coming out, have a holiday and do it yourself.
10. It’s a terrible car. WTF are you thinking?
Personally, I would not take the risk. But best of luck with it if you do.
72911 said:
1. Ensure you buy a GCC spec car. A lot come in from the US - these are often rebuilt cars that have been in an accident, suffered storm damage etc.
2. Ask the seller for permission to speak to the main agent who have serviced the car. Get the records
3. A lot of cars have clean title but have been in an accident and repaired privately - so no insurance or main dealer records.
4. Get it checked my a garage.
5. Have the car pass an RTA test (similar to MOT). This should show any significant issues.
6. There are a lot of bad cars in the market. Is the saving really worth the risk?
7. Car has to be de-registered for export.
8. Speak to CARS - they can likely help with the logistics on moving the car.
9. Flights are cheap. Consider coming out, have a holiday and do it yourself.
10. It’s a terrible car. WTF are you thinking?
Personally, I would not take the risk. But best of luck with it if you do.
Agree with all of this but would add that de-registration for export is a fairly simple process2. Ask the seller for permission to speak to the main agent who have serviced the car. Get the records
3. A lot of cars have clean title but have been in an accident and repaired privately - so no insurance or main dealer records.
4. Get it checked my a garage.
5. Have the car pass an RTA test (similar to MOT). This should show any significant issues.
6. There are a lot of bad cars in the market. Is the saving really worth the risk?
7. Car has to be de-registered for export.
8. Speak to CARS - they can likely help with the logistics on moving the car.
9. Flights are cheap. Consider coming out, have a holiday and do it yourself.
10. It’s a terrible car. WTF are you thinking?
Personally, I would not take the risk. But best of luck with it if you do.
85Carrera said:
72911 said:
1. Ensure you buy a GCC spec car. A lot come in from the US - these are often rebuilt cars that have been in an accident, suffered storm damage etc.
2. Ask the seller for permission to speak to the main agent who have serviced the car. Get the records
3. A lot of cars have clean title but have been in an accident and repaired privately - so no insurance or main dealer records.
4. Get it checked my a garage.
5. Have the car pass an RTA test (similar to MOT). This should show any significant issues.
6. There are a lot of bad cars in the market. Is the saving really worth the risk?
7. Car has to be de-registered for export.
8. Speak to CARS - they can likely help with the logistics on moving the car.
9. Flights are cheap. Consider coming out, have a holiday and do it yourself.
10. It’s a terrible car. WTF are you thinking?
Personally, I would not take the risk. But best of luck with it if you do.
Agree with all of this but would add that de-registration for export is a fairly simple process2. Ask the seller for permission to speak to the main agent who have serviced the car. Get the records
3. A lot of cars have clean title but have been in an accident and repaired privately - so no insurance or main dealer records.
4. Get it checked my a garage.
5. Have the car pass an RTA test (similar to MOT). This should show any significant issues.
6. There are a lot of bad cars in the market. Is the saving really worth the risk?
7. Car has to be de-registered for export.
8. Speak to CARS - they can likely help with the logistics on moving the car.
9. Flights are cheap. Consider coming out, have a holiday and do it yourself.
10. It’s a terrible car. WTF are you thinking?
Personally, I would not take the risk. But best of luck with it if you do.
There are also myths about GCC spec cars being better equipped to deal with the heat and having more robust AC systems. I'm not entirely convinced, because by the same token there ought to be Florida/California etc spec cars where it's always hot, dusty and hostile.
My observation is that 'GCC' means that the the trim levels are different and certain things you'd get as standard in the West would be optional extras in a GCC car (e.g. a leather steering wheel rather than a rubber wheel, a reverse camera, a rear wiper on a hatchback, soft-touch plastics, a Euro 6 engine and not a less efficient Euro 4 engine, halogen bulbs and not LED bulbs etc).
GCC spec in the main isn’t even that complex, it’s more that the warnings and labels are in Arabic and there’s a regional certificate of compliance. Extras really only apply to low volume stuff. E.G Secondary Aircon and sand filters as fitted to the elise and exige.
It makes a difference both ways. You can’t get fully comp insurance in the UAE on a non gcc car (no reason other than market protection). Likewise the manufacturer may not apply for CofC for non GCC countries (Lotus do this) meaning it’s harder or impossible to subsequently export and register outside of the GCC.
It makes a difference both ways. You can’t get fully comp insurance in the UAE on a non gcc car (no reason other than market protection). Likewise the manufacturer may not apply for CofC for non GCC countries (Lotus do this) meaning it’s harder or impossible to subsequently export and register outside of the GCC.
Edited by shirt on Thursday 20th January 11:27
Not sure of the rules and tax etc, but from a few years of living and working over here, I strongly suggest getting the car checked by a reputable garage - happy to suggest one I've used a long time. I helped a friend buy a Challenger a few years ago and saw some wrecks that had been patched together and would never be safe...
Depending on if your main consideration is resale value, I'd probably stay clear. Buying a North American spec car in the UAE comes with all the associated risk as stated above, crash damaged cars repaired by cheap labour in Sharjah or Ajman. I viewed a car when I first got here in Ras Al Khor automarket, it was Camaro RS, you could see the welding tabs still attached where they had welded in a new panel. "Never been in an accident" the salesman cried...
When buying a GCC spec car, they often come in trim levels, min, mid & max. The latter obviously coming with all the toys. My concern with purchasing a GCC spec car is the alarm bells it seemingly sets off from buyers in the UK. It's hot and sandy here, so it must mean the car is boiled, broken and abused. Which to be honest, unless the car has been garaged all it's life, this can be true for a 10 year old car. Summer does take its toll on interiors especially.
When buying a GCC spec car, they often come in trim levels, min, mid & max. The latter obviously coming with all the toys. My concern with purchasing a GCC spec car is the alarm bells it seemingly sets off from buyers in the UK. It's hot and sandy here, so it must mean the car is boiled, broken and abused. Which to be honest, unless the car has been garaged all it's life, this can be true for a 10 year old car. Summer does take its toll on interiors especially.
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