Driving to Holland next week
Discussion
First post here so please go easy.
Friend of mine suggested a road trip to the Netherlands in his A4 next week via ferry for our first holiday in what seems like way too long.
After days of planning and him reading the internet too much he has now ‘conveniently’ come to the realisation that his DPF is missing and has been for some time, yet despite this he has an up to date MOT (somehow) and his car is technically fine as far as the eye can see.
From what I understand this could lead to problems at customs since they sometimes do stringent checks of the vehicles and have garages for such aswell, etc. Potentially leading to a heavy fine and more.
That being said is our trip doomed and would we subsequently have problems going through? I know it would seem so however would first like to hear some opinions / experiences in the past.
Alternatively we could rent a car. Just be unfortunate since we have been looking into it for a while.
Many thanks in advance for any responses.
Friend of mine suggested a road trip to the Netherlands in his A4 next week via ferry for our first holiday in what seems like way too long.
After days of planning and him reading the internet too much he has now ‘conveniently’ come to the realisation that his DPF is missing and has been for some time, yet despite this he has an up to date MOT (somehow) and his car is technically fine as far as the eye can see.
From what I understand this could lead to problems at customs since they sometimes do stringent checks of the vehicles and have garages for such aswell, etc. Potentially leading to a heavy fine and more.
That being said is our trip doomed and would we subsequently have problems going through? I know it would seem so however would first like to hear some opinions / experiences in the past.
Alternatively we could rent a car. Just be unfortunate since we have been looking into it for a while.
Many thanks in advance for any responses.
SV90 said:
First post here so please go easy.
Friend of mine suggested a road trip to the Netherlands in his A4 next week via ferry for our first holiday in what seems like way too long.
After days of planning and him reading the internet too much he has now ‘conveniently’ come to the realisation that his DPF is missing and has been for some time, yet despite this he has an up to date MOT (somehow) and his car is technically fine as far as the eye can see.
From what I understand this could lead to problems at customs since they sometimes do stringent checks of the vehicles and have garages for such aswell, etc. Potentially leading to a heavy fine and more.
That being said is our trip doomed and would we subsequently have problems going through? I know it would seem so however would first like to hear some opinions / experiences in the past.
Alternatively we could rent a car. Just be unfortunate since we have been looking into it for a while.
Many thanks in advance for any responses.
Sounds like your friend is making excuses & doesn’t really want to go. Friend of mine suggested a road trip to the Netherlands in his A4 next week via ferry for our first holiday in what seems like way too long.
After days of planning and him reading the internet too much he has now ‘conveniently’ come to the realisation that his DPF is missing and has been for some time, yet despite this he has an up to date MOT (somehow) and his car is technically fine as far as the eye can see.
From what I understand this could lead to problems at customs since they sometimes do stringent checks of the vehicles and have garages for such aswell, etc. Potentially leading to a heavy fine and more.
That being said is our trip doomed and would we subsequently have problems going through? I know it would seem so however would first like to hear some opinions / experiences in the past.
Alternatively we could rent a car. Just be unfortunate since we have been looking into it for a while.
Many thanks in advance for any responses.
Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Sunday 3rd April 14:33
I've done this trip loads of times - as long as your car is road legal I think you will be ok. They're interested in smuggling, I've had the car emptied out completely before, but they were looking for drugs/explosives/cash/illegals/booze and fags. Watch the speed cameras, Dutch motorways are 100kph in the daytime and also that on non-yellow diamond roads you have to give way to the right. It will surprise you - they don't even look before they pull out. And FFS don't hit a cyclist - they have right of way crossing the road 9 times out of 10.
No sorry, I think I may have worded it wrong.
He had his DPF removed some time ago and of course that hasn't only just come to his attention now. That in itself isn't the issue.
He has become apprehensive as he has read anecdotally online that customs will sometimes strip your car down spending hours searching through engine bay and undercarriage etc - which (in his mind) will subsequently leave his removed filter clearly visible and therefore leave him open to a fine, and / or points for something which could potentially invalidate his insurance.. or whatever.
That is the problem and as stated he is massively overthinking it.
He is certainly not making up excuses and knowing him as well as I do, it is just the person he is.
It was his idea to go on the trip and he still seems keen, just nervous since it would be our first road trip overseas. Hence why I initially stated that a rental car could still be an option alternatively IF it was such a problem.
Hope that's clarified it a little.
He had his DPF removed some time ago and of course that hasn't only just come to his attention now. That in itself isn't the issue.
He has become apprehensive as he has read anecdotally online that customs will sometimes strip your car down spending hours searching through engine bay and undercarriage etc - which (in his mind) will subsequently leave his removed filter clearly visible and therefore leave him open to a fine, and / or points for something which could potentially invalidate his insurance.. or whatever.
That is the problem and as stated he is massively overthinking it.
He is certainly not making up excuses and knowing him as well as I do, it is just the person he is.
It was his idea to go on the trip and he still seems keen, just nervous since it would be our first road trip overseas. Hence why I initially stated that a rental car could still be an option alternatively IF it was such a problem.
Hope that's clarified it a little.
Julietbravo said:
I've done this trip loads of times - as long as your car is road legal I think you will be ok. They're interested in smuggling, I've had the car emptied out completely before, but they were looking for drugs/explosives/cash/illegals/booze and fags. Watch the speed cameras, Dutch motorways are 100kph in the daytime and also that on non-yellow diamond roads you have to give way to the right. It will surprise you - they don't even look before they pull out. And FFS don't hit a cyclist - they have right of way crossing the road 9 times out of 10.
Thanks for the heads up! We won't be taking anything illegal, (until we get to Amsterdam 
) We will be just taking necessities ie clothes, electronics and toiletries. Like I say that is the only worry we've had but my mind is certainly more at ease after reading all of these comments. SV90 said:
No sorry, I think I may have worded it wrong.
He had his DPF removed some time ago and of course that hasn't only just come to his attention now. That in itself isn't the issue.
He has become apprehensive as he has read anecdotally online that customs will sometimes strip your car down spending hours searching through engine bay and undercarriage etc - which (in his mind) will subsequently leave his removed filter clearly visible and therefore leave him open to a fine, and / or points for something which could potentially invalidate his insurance.. or whatever.
That is the problem and as stated he is massively overthinking it.
He is certainly not making up excuses and knowing him as well as I do, it is just the person he is.
It was his idea to go on the trip and he still seems keen, just nervous since it would be our first road trip overseas. Hence why I initially stated that a rental car could still be an option alternatively IF it was such a problem.
Hope that's clarified it a little.
You will be fine as long as it's not a low rider with massive cambers and stretch tyres. Does he worry every time he drives past a Police car? If not, then he's got nothing to worry about. He had his DPF removed some time ago and of course that hasn't only just come to his attention now. That in itself isn't the issue.
He has become apprehensive as he has read anecdotally online that customs will sometimes strip your car down spending hours searching through engine bay and undercarriage etc - which (in his mind) will subsequently leave his removed filter clearly visible and therefore leave him open to a fine, and / or points for something which could potentially invalidate his insurance.. or whatever.
That is the problem and as stated he is massively overthinking it.
He is certainly not making up excuses and knowing him as well as I do, it is just the person he is.
It was his idea to go on the trip and he still seems keen, just nervous since it would be our first road trip overseas. Hence why I initially stated that a rental car could still be an option alternatively IF it was such a problem.
Hope that's clarified it a little.
SV90 said:
No sorry, I think I may have worded it wrong.
He had his DPF removed some time ago and of course that hasn't only just come to his attention now. That in itself isn't the issue.
He has become apprehensive as he has read anecdotally online that customs will sometimes strip your car down spending hours searching through engine bay and undercarriage etc - which (in his mind) will subsequently leave his removed filter clearly visible and therefore leave him open to a fine, and / or points for something which could potentially invalidate his insurance.. or whatever.
That is the problem and as stated he is massively overthinking it.
He is certainly not making up excuses and knowing him as well as I do, it is just the person he is.
It was his idea to go on the trip and he still seems keen, just nervous since it would be our first road trip overseas. Hence why I initially stated that a rental car could still be an option alternatively IF it was such a problem.
Hope that's clarified it a little.
Probably the weed making him paranoid He had his DPF removed some time ago and of course that hasn't only just come to his attention now. That in itself isn't the issue.
He has become apprehensive as he has read anecdotally online that customs will sometimes strip your car down spending hours searching through engine bay and undercarriage etc - which (in his mind) will subsequently leave his removed filter clearly visible and therefore leave him open to a fine, and / or points for something which could potentially invalidate his insurance.. or whatever.
That is the problem and as stated he is massively overthinking it.
He is certainly not making up excuses and knowing him as well as I do, it is just the person he is.
It was his idea to go on the trip and he still seems keen, just nervous since it would be our first road trip overseas. Hence why I initially stated that a rental car could still be an option alternatively IF it was such a problem.
Hope that's clarified it a little.
I've done somewhere between 6-20 trips to the continent every year for 25 years. I have been stopped a couple of times for a quick nose round the interior - normally when travelling with another guy - and have *never* seen, let alone been involved in the slightest mechanical examination.
You'll be fine.
You'll be fine.
ClaphamGT3 said:
I've done somewhere between 6-20 trips to the continent every year for 25 years. I have been stopped a couple of times for a quick nose round the interior - normally when travelling with another guy - and have *never* seen, let alone been involved in the slightest mechanical examination.
You'll be fine.
Thanks for the reassurance. You'll be fine.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Just take a flight there. Miles easier and cheaper
This. I've just looked on sky scanner - less than 50 quid return from most UK airports. I would fly. hand luggage only. The train station is actually inside the airport and its 10 mins into the city centre on the train. Probably 5 Euros or something. The drive from Calais-Brugges-Amsterdam is not charming or interesting, but goes through a series of industrial parks as well as being full of speed cameras and parking in Amsterdam is difficult and expensive. Edited by Julietbravo on Monday 4th April 13:04
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff