Importing a LHD 650S into the UK.

Importing a LHD 650S into the UK.

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Discussion

JerryDXB

Original Poster:

600 posts

106 months

Tuesday 7th January 2020
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As per the title, has anyone done it? If yes, anything I should be aware of or any tips you can offer?

I’ve got the tax (or lack of) and warranty side of things covered so looking for other tips please.

Thanks.

hornbaek

3,735 posts

242 months

Tuesday 7th January 2020
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It is faily straightforward. I'm sure there is an explanation but why would you do this, as prices on 650S on the Continent a far higher than in the UK. Secondly, due to the doors and the low seating position, a LHD sportscar in the UK is not really that practical.

However, if that is all "ok" you have to follow the instructions on the DVLA Homepage on importing a car into the UK (from either EU - then that is simple) or outside - then you have to add vehicle excise duty and VAT. You need a Certificate of Conformity and the original receipt. You pay the duty (if from outside the UK) at the border otherwise you go to on of the DVLA offices and do so. For the MOT you need to check headlights (must confrom to UK driving, rear fog light(s) and speedo. Probably the headlights adjustment and the speedo is electronic so you only have to change the rear fog light. I don't know with McLaren, but Porsche has the single fog light on the wrong side so you need to change rear light clusters. Good luck.

JerryDXB

Original Poster:

600 posts

106 months

Tuesday 7th January 2020
quotequote all
Thanks.

As to why I’d want to do this ... I’d actually rather not but there becomes a point where it is the least worst option. It’s not a European car but a Middle East/GCC spec car. The UAE market is even worse than the UK market (possibly the worst in the world at the moment) and at probably £20-30k below UK prices I’m still not getting a sniff of interest here.

The LHD aspect worries me (the visibility does not) but as it’d likely become a weekends/track days/European jaunts car then I suspect I can live with it.

I’ve got a few weeks and one final price reduction before I make a decision.

hornbaek

3,735 posts

242 months

Tuesday 7th January 2020
quotequote all
If it is not a CEE car then you have to apply import duties as well which im sure that you are aware of. Why not try www.mobile.de and see whether there is a Continental buyer who wants to do a bit of arbitrage.

MDL111

7,169 posts

184 months

Tuesday 7th January 2020
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hornbaek said:
If it is not a CEE car then you have to apply import duties as well which im sure that you are aware of. Why not try www.mobile.de and see whether there is a Continental buyer who wants to do a bit of arbitrage.
does this still apply though if you are moving back with the car and have owned it for a min period (not sure, but sth to consider)

JerryDXB

Original Poster:

600 posts

106 months

Tuesday 7th January 2020
quotequote all
MDL111 said:
does this still apply though if you are moving back with the car and have owned it for a min period (not sure, but sth to consider)
You need to have owned it for a minimum of 6 months, declare it on the Transfer of Residence (ToR) form submitted to HMRC (it’s the same form for your household goods and pets) and it’s then tax free. You cannot sell in the UK during the first 12 months after your return without incurring penalties. I did say I had the tax element covered in my first post biggrin

JerryDXB

Original Poster:

600 posts

106 months

Tuesday 7th January 2020
quotequote all
hornbaek said:
If it is not a CEE car then you have to apply import duties as well which im sure that you are aware of. Why not try www.mobile.de and see whether there is a Continental buyer who wants to do a bit of arbitrage.
My thinking is get it back to the UK, if it isn’t working out then try selling it into Europe in 12 months time maybe.

MDL111

7,169 posts

184 months

Tuesday 7th January 2020
quotequote all
JerryDXB said:
MDL111 said:
does this still apply though if you are moving back with the car and have owned it for a min period (not sure, but sth to consider)
You need to have owned it for a minimum of 6 months, declare it on the Transfer of Residence (ToR) form submitted to HMRC (it’s the same form for your household goods and pets) and it’s then tax free. You cannot sell in the UK during the first 12 months after your return without incurring penalties. I did say I had the tax element covered in my first post biggrin
got it, that sounds like what I remember

I personally don't mind LHD in the UK (or RHD in the rest of Europe), but the re-sale value of a Gulf car will be less than a European car - by how much I don't know, but it likely won't be insignificant. LHD in the UK seems like a very tough sell from what I read on here.

Edit to add: Your sell to Europe plan might incur taxes depending on how Brexit goes ...


PotHoleHater

2,605 posts

232 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
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JerryDXB said:
Thanks.

It’s not a European car but a Middle East/GCC spec car. The UAE market is even worse than the UK market (possibly the worst in the world at the moment) and at probably £20-30k below UK prices I’m still not getting a sniff of interest here.

I’ve got a few weeks and one final price reduction before I make a decision.
What sites are you advertising on?

JerryDXB

Original Poster:

600 posts

106 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
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PotHoleHater said:
What sites are you advertising on?
Dubizzle.

PotHoleHater

2,605 posts

232 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
quotequote all
JerryDXB said:
PotHoleHater said:
What sites are you advertising on?
Dubizzle.
Just had a look - good ad, great car, crazy low price already! I’d bring it back and in 12 months sell it in Europe.

Have you found a car transport company from the UAE to UK?

MDL111

7,169 posts

184 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
quotequote all
PotHoleHater said:
JerryDXB said:
PotHoleHater said:
What sites are you advertising on?
Dubizzle.
Just had a look - good ad, great car, crazy low price already! I’d bring it back and in 12 months sell it in Europe.

Have you found a car transport company from the UAE to UK?
How much is it out of curiosity?

PotHoleHater

2,605 posts

232 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
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MDL111 said:
How much is it out of curiosity?
Take a look. Then pick your jaw off the floor...

MDL111

7,169 posts

184 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
quotequote all
PotHoleHater said:
MDL111 said:
How much is it out of curiosity?
Take a look. Then pick your jaw off the floor...
Not sure I got the right car and FX rate - but it looks like a little more than 100k euros, which is cheap but if I bought it and imported it myself it would be a 130k car and then in line with the cheaper EU cars while not being an EU car. Of course if no taxes apply as he imports himself and then sells, it might work (although I am not sure what discount people will apply for non EU - supercar buyers are a fickle bunch ....)

JerryDXB

Original Poster:

600 posts

106 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
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It’s currently offered at 92k Eu/78k GBP. I’ve decided I’d like to get rid and hence I’ll be reducing further to 86k Eu/73k GBP when I’m back from my travels next week. If it does sell it will be a real bargain for someone.

AndyC_123

1,166 posts

161 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
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Stunning car but I do think your pictures could be better, might help?

ANOpax

920 posts

173 months

Thursday 16th January 2020
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From my observations of gulf Ferraris being sold in Europe, the asking price discount to Euro spec cars is typically about 15-20% and yet they don’t sell so I suspect the clearing discount is a bit higher.

JerryDXB

Original Poster:

600 posts

106 months

Friday 31st January 2020
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ANOpax said:
From my observations of gulf Ferraris being sold in Europe, the asking price discount to Euro spec cars is typically about 15-20% and yet they don’t sell so I suspect the clearing discount is a bit higher.
Thanks, good info and helped with my decision. See my next post.

JerryDXB

Original Poster:

600 posts

106 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
Thread closure ... if anybody finds this thread through a search engine then I’m afraid I didn’t do it and have no advice to offer. This is what the equivalent of about £70k looks like in Dirhams ...


NNH

1,542 posts

139 months

Friday 31st January 2020
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How is the Emirati market for hookers and blow these days?