Picking up a Ferrari in Hamburg next Friday

Brussels - park up outside Hotel Metropole, have your beer under the heated canopy and admire the TR, then park it in a secure place and rest up.

Good question re the insurance, that's next on my list to sort out. I'm told specialist providers will issue cover on the chassis number. I'm about to call Footman James.

I did this a couple of times back in the days when exchange rates meant cars in Europe were good value, and I bought two Porsches from the OPC in Hamburg. Unless things have changed, you'll need special export plates. The selling dealer can sort this out, but someone will need to go to the vehicle licensing office with your paperwork, and it'll involve a fair bit of hanging around, so make sure you're there in the am. The export plates are valid for a month (?) and give you minimum insurance, but you'll need to get your own. I was able to do it on the chassis number.

As for the way back, I'd try and make for Ypres in Belgium. That means you'll be there for the 8pm last post played in the Menin Gate memorial, which might mean something to you in this centenary year. Calais is then only an hour or so away. Food and hotels in Ypres are good.

AFAIR the autobahn from Hamburg to the Dutch boarder is quiet and unrestricted. Within 60 minutes of driving my 964 out of the dealer I had 270kph on the clock….

SS7

yes i would be having a couple of extra days further south rather than drive it straight back to heavily restricted blighty.

look forward to see pics of the beast

Shell or Texaco a few times I imagine :-)


On the subject of export plates, should that be the route you go down make sure you copy and keep everything you give the local (in Hamburg) registration office.

UK dvla now want to see everything registration, COC, etc etc, which obviously you cant do if you have just given it to Hamburg ....

Thanks for all your advice. I've just booked up a room at the Crowne Plaza in Bruges, which looks nice and has an underground car park.

Insurance on the other hand is proving more difficult. Footman James will only insure once back in the UK. The export plates the dealer is arranging provides minimum 3rd party cover, but I'd rather be covered fully comp for obvious reasons. Any suggestions?

Thanks again

I think all the uk insurers are the same, none would give me cover in Europe until car was uk registered, the only option I had was to drive on the temp plate with minimum cover. If your safe and cautious you will be ok, just try not to get carried away behind the wheel

I've managed to get a couple of quotes, but cover is limited to 3rd party only for 30 days, and they want £400. I'd rather just drive it back on the cover that comes with the export plate than pay that. I'll keep hunting.

OP, I have just gone through the process bringing back my CS from Netherlands. I use Locktons and have the FOC policy. They were happy to issue a fully comp cover note on the chassis number so I could drive back to the UK. The process after that is a bit involved:

1. Notify HMRC on line (NOVA) within 14 days of entry to the UK to confirm VAT status (should be nil liability if you purchased from a VAT registered dealer in Germany and the car has previously been subject to VAT);

2. Get garage to do necessary changes to speedo, lights and MOT

3. Submit garage invoice for work done together with the original Certificate of Conformity to the Vehicle Certification Agency to get individual vehicle approval (you need this to register the car with DVLA);

4. Apply to register with DVLA (proof of i.d. insurance certificate, MOT, NOVA and VCA confirmations all required with the form); and

5. Make up plates and update insurance company re new registration number, once confirmation received from DVLA.

I am at step 4 and so far its running smoothly. You need a friendly garage and allow a month to get the process completed.

Good luck and enjoy.

Car Mad Dave

Thank you Car Mad Dave,

That really is very very helpful. I will now follow your lead!