Taking a car with you?

[TheStoat]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm at the beginning of a tentative conversation about relocating to Dubai. I'd be up for it assuming the accommodation and money was right but there's one other thing on my mind. I'm quite attached to my car. I know, a PHer attached to his car - what a shocker! Has anybody taken their car with them to Dubai or somewhere similar? I'd really hate to think of my car being left behind in the UK or worse still sold on. Being sensible though, if it is a financially crippling proposition to bring my chariot with me then I'd rather know up front...

Any insights into this from you resident veterans?

Thanks,

Andy

[Desert Dog]

If it's left hand drive you won't have any problems.... it then depends on the vehicle itself.

[IanUAE]

If the car is "classified" as a "classic" then right hand drives can be imported, I think.

[TheStoat]

Yep it's a 2004 plate and left hand drive from the US Is there a website listing acceptable cars?

[Hitch78]

Judging by some of the wrecked US cars that turn up here to be given a 'new lease of life' I don't see that you'll have any problem.

Someone on here might know the import process - you can guarantee that it is:
a) not clearly noted anywhere that you could find it, and
b) different to what you find, if you do happen to stumble across it

Maybe one of the motorsport chaps can help - I assume a lot of their cars are brought in especially.

[TheStoat]

Thanks guys, that's encouraging so far

[Harris_I]

I can't pretend to know the procedure but Hitch is pretty much spot on. Nothing we say at this point in time may be of any use to you when your car arrives at the port.

FWIW, I imported a LHD Lancia 9 years ago from Blighty. No issues with getting it registered (other than the usual painful bureaucracy). There was customs duty to pay (can't remember if it was 5% or 10%).

[Harris_I]

Oh, one more thing. Very important. If your car has had a prang and any chassis repair is visible, the authorities may refuse to register the car. Only "wasta" will solve this (google it).

I have known minor imperfections to cause a car to be rejected.

[TheStoat]

Duly googled!

No prangs that I'm aware of, even with me behind the wheel!

Thanks for all the pointers chaps - very helpful!

[dictys]

There are plenty of Vipers over here so shouldn't be a problem. Put it in a container with all your gear, your moving people in the UK can advise further.

[IanUAE]

If it is the Viper that is being brought over, then a visit to DXB/NFS is called for. Why you ask, because they race one in the GT Championship and it is loooovely.

[TheStoat]

Yeah if the conversation turns into a real job offer then it would be the Viper - it's my only car. On the racing Viper front I really shouldn't visit anybody like that! Lord knows Dubai has a reputation for sucking your wallet dry already. Upgrading the Viper is not going to help me restore my finances