Should I import my US Lexus GX 460 to the UK?

[FR80]

Trying to decide whether I should import my US Lexus GX 460 to the UK when I move back home later this year, or just sell it here in the US. It’s basically a luxury version of a UK Land Cruiser (aka Land Cruiser Prado) and is a 4.6l petrol V8. 2011 model, 75k miles.

My plan would be to use it as a daily driver for a year, kit it out a bit for a big overland trip to Asia or Africa and then sell it in a couple of years. These cars are super popular in the off road community in the US, some are still running at 250k + miles(it’s a Land Cruiser after all). I actually took it on a giant 15k miles trip clockwise around the US last year and it was perfect.

Wouldn’t have to pay customs duty / VAT as I’ve been in the US for a while. Anything else I need to think about before I make the decision? Would insurance be prohibitive? Would there be much demand for this car in the UK if I did sell after a year or two? It’s an amazing car but wonder whether the left hand drive and high fuel costs would make it hard to sell.

Pic is from Death Valley, California last year (drove it out from NYC).

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Cheers

[Slow]

Shouldnt be hard to sell I would of thought, loads of LHD american stuff is knocking around the uk. If your doing a big trip round europe then it sounds perfect being LHD anyway.

[Countdown]

Most of the ones in the UK are diesel. I'm not sure how popular a petrol one would be, plus I assume it's LHD?

Landcruisers of the same age/mileage are going for about £25k-£30k. Would selling it over there and buying one when you get to the UK be a better option?

[FR80]

Thanks both.

Countdown: it sells for about $25-30k dollars here so would in theory get more for it in the UK as in £s. Its like an upgraded version of a Land cruiser so in theory should go for more, but wasn’t sure how much the LHR plus being petrol would be an issue. The V8 engine is amazing but not the cheapest to run.

[QJumper]

Would you not get a better price if you sold it in Africa/Asia after your road trip?

[anonymous-user]

QJumper said:

Would you not get a better price if you sold it in Africa/Asia after your road trip?

Surely this is worth big bucks in Saudi or UAE?

[Miserablegit]

MuddyK said:

Surely this is worth big bucks in Saudi or UAE?

If you spend a few k sprinkling it with diamanté crystals, call it a “Dominatrix 6000” and put tasteless wheels on it you’ll definitely find a buyer in UAE or Saudi.

[raspy]

MuddyK said:

Surely this is worth big bucks in Saudi or UAE?

Not really. Looking at the classifieds in the UAE, a newer model (2015) with same mileage is going for 140k AED (£29k)

There was recently a 2019 GX 460 (39k miles) on sale on ebay uk for £44k - It seems like this car would be a very niche vehicle in the UK, not sure how easy to find a buyer

Prices across Europe seem a bit all over the place. I saw a 2012 model in the NL for £35k, a 2014 model in Poland for £18k. There are some listed in Russia/Ukraine by private individuals too.

[Carfield]

Don’t be fooled by the NL price - we have an exorbitant special car tax that inflates second handled prices by at least 30-40%

[Baldchap]

With this not being a UK model, you would need to presumably IVA it. Not sure how big a deal/cost that represents.

[FR80]

That was my concern, that it might be too niche to sell easily in the U.K. It might be appealing to those in the overlanding community, might see whether there might be interest there. If not, maybe it makes sense to sell it in the US before I head home.

[Slow]

Baldchap said:

With this not being a UK model, you would need to presumably IVA it. Not sure how big a deal/cost that represents.

Over 10 years old so just needs a mot, basically sort the lights out.