TUV and moving to Europe
Discussion
I'm leaving the UK next year moving to Lux/Germany and am pondering what to do with my cars, I have one heavily modified E30 320i (full 325i spec and upgrades) and an e92 M3 which is almost standard bar the exhaust. I'm aware the German system is alot tougher than our local friendly MOT tester scheme but what is their stance on modified cars? I'd like to keep the E30 and it's actually LHD but not sure it will ever pass. Any good info or experience here?
So I went through this last year (moved to Germany 2 years ago, but bought a car in the UK and imported it last year). If you have any questions feel free (but maybe pm me or something so I get a notification as I'm not often on here) Ill try answer your questions as well as possible.
First off, unfortunately I believe importing a modified car is virtually impossible to Germany. This is because when you take it for it's initial TUV test, they test the car specifically against the "certificate of conformity", which is basically a list of specs from the manufacturer (cost me 150 euro to buy mine from BMW for e92 335i). The other thing about modifications in Germany is that each mod needs to be approved or "e" marked. Basically there is a marking on the aftermarket part and a certificate in the box that the police will want to see should you ever be pulled over.
I follow a guy on youtube who moved to the Nurburgring and he sold his amazing e36 m3 track car because he was not able to have it imported without spending many many hours putting it back to stock first, so he bought a stock e92 to import instead.
Headlights. So naturally as they drive on the wrong side of the road over here, you need to change your headlights to not blind all the oncoming traffic (stickers is not enough here). Thankfully on my e92 (with adaptive xenons from the factory) has a little switch in it, this changes the beam from pointing up and left to a "flat beam". This is a problem for some testers, I had to (and you will too probably) find a TUV tester who specifically told me before the test that flat beam was fine. I had many tell me that it "wasn't good enough" and that I would have to buy EU spec housings (which was about 1500 euro for a pair...)
On the topic of TUV testers. TUV is actually only one company, there are a few more, my German friend who helped me with this process was told that only TUV is allowed to do the initial test on imported cars, this however turned out to be false as I had mine done by a person from DEVK I think and it was fine. But again, it's another thing to ask the tester before you go ahead with it.
Edit: re-read your post, to answer your question about the e30 I would not hold out much hope I'm afraid, but put the stock exhaust back on the m3 to get it through the tests and you wont have a problem (once you find the little switch in the headlights and a tester who is lenient enough)
First off, unfortunately I believe importing a modified car is virtually impossible to Germany. This is because when you take it for it's initial TUV test, they test the car specifically against the "certificate of conformity", which is basically a list of specs from the manufacturer (cost me 150 euro to buy mine from BMW for e92 335i). The other thing about modifications in Germany is that each mod needs to be approved or "e" marked. Basically there is a marking on the aftermarket part and a certificate in the box that the police will want to see should you ever be pulled over.
I follow a guy on youtube who moved to the Nurburgring and he sold his amazing e36 m3 track car because he was not able to have it imported without spending many many hours putting it back to stock first, so he bought a stock e92 to import instead.
Headlights. So naturally as they drive on the wrong side of the road over here, you need to change your headlights to not blind all the oncoming traffic (stickers is not enough here). Thankfully on my e92 (with adaptive xenons from the factory) has a little switch in it, this changes the beam from pointing up and left to a "flat beam". This is a problem for some testers, I had to (and you will too probably) find a TUV tester who specifically told me before the test that flat beam was fine. I had many tell me that it "wasn't good enough" and that I would have to buy EU spec housings (which was about 1500 euro for a pair...)
On the topic of TUV testers. TUV is actually only one company, there are a few more, my German friend who helped me with this process was told that only TUV is allowed to do the initial test on imported cars, this however turned out to be false as I had mine done by a person from DEVK I think and it was fine. But again, it's another thing to ask the tester before you go ahead with it.
Edit: re-read your post, to answer your question about the e30 I would not hold out much hope I'm afraid, but put the stock exhaust back on the m3 to get it through the tests and you wont have a problem (once you find the little switch in the headlights and a tester who is lenient enough)
Zygersaf said:
So I went through this last year (moved to Germany 2 years ago, but bought a car in the UK and imported it last year). If you have any questions feel free (but maybe pm me or something so I get a notification as I'm not often on here) Ill try answer your questions as well as possible.
First off, unfortunately I believe importing a modified car is virtually impossible to Germany. This is because when you take it for it's initial TUV test, they test the car specifically against the "certificate of conformity", which is basically a list of specs from the manufacturer (cost me 150 euro to buy mine from BMW for e92 335i). The other thing about modifications in Germany is that each mod needs to be approved or "e" marked. Basically there is a marking on the aftermarket part and a certificate in the box that the police will want to see should you ever be pulled over.
I follow a guy on youtube who moved to the Nurburgring and he sold his amazing e36 m3 track car because he was not able to have it imported without spending many many hours putting it back to stock first, so he bought a stock e92 to import instead.
Headlights. So naturally as they drive on the wrong side of the road over here, you need to change your headlights to not blind all the oncoming traffic (stickers is not enough here). Thankfully on my e92 (with adaptive xenons from the factory) has a little switch in it, this changes the beam from pointing up and left to a "flat beam". This is a problem for some testers, I had to (and you will too probably) find a TUV tester who specifically told me before the test that flat beam was fine. I had many tell me that it "wasn't good enough" and that I would have to buy EU spec housings (which was about 1500 euro for a pair...)
On the topic of TUV testers. TUV is actually only one company, there are a few more, my German friend who helped me with this process was told that only TUV is allowed to do the initial test on imported cars, this however turned out to be false as I had mine done by a person from DEVK I think and it was fine. But again, it's another thing to ask the tester before you go ahead with it.
Edit: re-read your post, to answer your question about the e30 I would not hold out much hope I'm afraid, but put the stock exhaust back on the m3 to get it through the tests and you wont have a problem (once you find the little switch in the headlights and a tester who is lenient enough)
Thanks for detailed reply, as I feared with my E30. I couldn't sell it after all the time and money invested in it, I love the thing too much so will need to store at my parents and just enjoy it here. I hope if I shift it in their name I can bring it over for a few months in the summer then just drive and fly back. For the e92 I'm not too worried but it will be interesting to see how hard a time they give for being RHD, I also have the adaptive lights so that's a little nugget of info. Otherwise figure I'll keep it until I find a local replacement, I'll be based just an hour or so from the 'ring so there's definitely a need to get something capable there! First off, unfortunately I believe importing a modified car is virtually impossible to Germany. This is because when you take it for it's initial TUV test, they test the car specifically against the "certificate of conformity", which is basically a list of specs from the manufacturer (cost me 150 euro to buy mine from BMW for e92 335i). The other thing about modifications in Germany is that each mod needs to be approved or "e" marked. Basically there is a marking on the aftermarket part and a certificate in the box that the police will want to see should you ever be pulled over.
I follow a guy on youtube who moved to the Nurburgring and he sold his amazing e36 m3 track car because he was not able to have it imported without spending many many hours putting it back to stock first, so he bought a stock e92 to import instead.
Headlights. So naturally as they drive on the wrong side of the road over here, you need to change your headlights to not blind all the oncoming traffic (stickers is not enough here). Thankfully on my e92 (with adaptive xenons from the factory) has a little switch in it, this changes the beam from pointing up and left to a "flat beam". This is a problem for some testers, I had to (and you will too probably) find a TUV tester who specifically told me before the test that flat beam was fine. I had many tell me that it "wasn't good enough" and that I would have to buy EU spec housings (which was about 1500 euro for a pair...)
On the topic of TUV testers. TUV is actually only one company, there are a few more, my German friend who helped me with this process was told that only TUV is allowed to do the initial test on imported cars, this however turned out to be false as I had mine done by a person from DEVK I think and it was fine. But again, it's another thing to ask the tester before you go ahead with it.
Edit: re-read your post, to answer your question about the e30 I would not hold out much hope I'm afraid, but put the stock exhaust back on the m3 to get it through the tests and you wont have a problem (once you find the little switch in the headlights and a tester who is lenient enough)
Here is the video I think but this is the car that they are on about - https://youtu.be/MJgc0mY4sj8
My car was a uk car and exported to the ring, I bought it from the ring and re imported it to the uk. One think I found is it still had the uk lights as xenons unsure if they needed to be changed or not but otherwise all mods had to be TUV hence your going to have a pain moving your car over.
You'll also need to think about winter tyres and if the ring - insurance you wont have any cover so dont go mad.
My car was a uk car and exported to the ring, I bought it from the ring and re imported it to the uk. One think I found is it still had the uk lights as xenons unsure if they needed to be changed or not but otherwise all mods had to be TUV hence your going to have a pain moving your car over.
You'll also need to think about winter tyres and if the ring - insurance you wont have any cover so dont go mad.
No way of registering in Lux to avoid the German rules?
Headlights are easy, Lots of places will adapt the projector for you if needed. I had mine done earlier this year. They took it to pieces and spot welded a bit of extra shutter on the left part of the internal projector and cut away part of the other side to give a LHD beam (80 EUR in total) They work perfectly
Happy to send you the Link to the guys who did mine. (Based in Bydgoszcz Poland but even with couriers its cheaper than replacing them)
Otherwise its a matter of contacting the manufacturer for each of your modified parts (If possible) and asking them to send you a copy of their TUV approval. (most have it)
Headlights are easy, Lots of places will adapt the projector for you if needed. I had mine done earlier this year. They took it to pieces and spot welded a bit of extra shutter on the left part of the internal projector and cut away part of the other side to give a LHD beam (80 EUR in total) They work perfectly
Happy to send you the Link to the guys who did mine. (Based in Bydgoszcz Poland but even with couriers its cheaper than replacing them)Otherwise its a matter of contacting the manufacturer for each of your modified parts (If possible) and asking them to send you a copy of their TUV approval. (most have it)
I think you have a year in which you can drive your British registered car in Germany before you need German plates. I would take it to the TüV and let them have a look at it. Obviously there will be a sucking of teeth but often they’re pleased to see something odd-ball rather than the Golfs, Toyotas and Peugeots which they see all day, every day.
I had a Ginetta G15 when I came to Germany and still regret bottling out and selling the car back in England.
I had a Ginetta G15 when I came to Germany and still regret bottling out and selling the car back in England.
Berlin Mike said:
I think you have a year in which you can drive your British registered car in Germany before you need German plates. I would take it to the TüV and let them have a look at it. Obviously there will be a sucking of teeth but often they’re pleased to see something odd-ball rather than the Golfs, Toyotas and Peugeots which they see all day, every day.
I had a Ginetta G15 when I came to Germany and still regret bottling out and selling the car back in England.
6 months, but good luck finding a UK insurance company that will insure you abroad for over 90 days, even over 30 days is a pain sometimes. And good luck getting a German insurance company to insure a UK registered car.I had a Ginetta G15 when I came to Germany and still regret bottling out and selling the car back in England.
CDB1983 said:
No way of registering in Lux to avoid the German rules?
Headlights are easy, Lots of places will adapt the projector for you if needed. I had mine done earlier this year. They took it to pieces and spot welded a bit of extra shutter on the left part of the internal projector and cut away part of the other side to give a LHD beam (80 EUR in total) They work perfectly Happy to send you the Link to the guys who did mine. (Based in Bydgoszcz Poland but even with couriers its cheaper than replacing them)
Otherwise its a matter of contacting the manufacturer for each of your modified parts (If possible) and asking them to send you a copy of their TUV approval. (most have it)
Lux (used to) work quite similarly.Headlights are easy, Lots of places will adapt the projector for you if needed. I had mine done earlier this year. They took it to pieces and spot welded a bit of extra shutter on the left part of the internal projector and cut away part of the other side to give a LHD beam (80 EUR in total) They work perfectly
Happy to send you the Link to the guys who did mine. (Based in Bydgoszcz Poland but even with couriers its cheaper than replacing them)Otherwise its a matter of contacting the manufacturer for each of your modified parts (If possible) and asking them to send you a copy of their TUV approval. (most have it)
I barried my old VW Golf and had to show TUV certificates for springs, roll bars and wheels.
Luckily it was Eibach and Audi stuff so fairly easy to obtain online.
That was a good 15 years ago though
Zygersaf said:
6 months, but good luck finding a UK insurance company that will insure you abroad for over 90 days, even over 30 days is a pain sometimes. And good luck getting a German insurance company to insure a UK registered car.
Difficult but not impossible. I had this problem earlier this year as we are spending the winter in Spain having driven down in my UK registered car. After looking at various options and following up with phone calls I eventually found one company who has arranged extended European cover for me. I've actually just done this last year as I live in Germany and work in Luxembourg. You will definitely have to get a certificate of conformance for your car which I got for my Golf from the internet for about 30 Euros. You have 6 months to register your car. It is a pain in the bum but once it's done then that's it. There are I think three recognised testing companies TUV being the strictest, so choose another! I think Dekra is one and mine was is KUS I think ( sorry senior moment and can't remember without looking! ).
Generally the test is much tougher as it lasts for two years not one like the MOT. Yes you will need to sort your headlights.
I found a good insurance company which would insure me on UK plates. I have lived here though for years and was always with Hastings Direct. They will insure your car for a trip up to 90 days in length but you can have any number of trips per year. Insurance here is quite expensive. I am paying 50 euros per month for a 16 year old Golf and 200 per month for my Alpina.
If you need any help then by all means PM me.
Generally the test is much tougher as it lasts for two years not one like the MOT. Yes you will need to sort your headlights.
I found a good insurance company which would insure me on UK plates. I have lived here though for years and was always with Hastings Direct. They will insure your car for a trip up to 90 days in length but you can have any number of trips per year. Insurance here is quite expensive. I am paying 50 euros per month for a 16 year old Golf and 200 per month for my Alpina.
If you need any help then by all means PM me.
Edited by AlpinaB5 on Thursday 19th December 06:42
365 day European insurance is not as difficult as some of these posters are making out. PM me if you want a recommendation (a respected broker that I and several colleagues working in Germany have been using for years).
But others are right - getting a TUV on a modified car in Germany will be challenging. The best solution, if you can, is to leave it registered in the UK. But still expect attention from the Jungs in Blau.
But others are right - getting a TUV on a modified car in Germany will be challenging. The best solution, if you can, is to leave it registered in the UK. But still expect attention from the Jungs in Blau.
AlpinaB5 said:
.......There are I think three recognised testing companies TUV being the strictest, so choose another! I think Dekra is one and mine was is KUS I think.....
Another is GTÜ. My son's MGB GT passed today with advisories for oily engine and box as well as a friendly verbal warning that he ought to tidy up the corners to keep his H-plates (historic, i.e. old with cheaper tax). generationx said:
365 day European insurance is not as difficult as some of these posters are making out. PM me if you want a recommendation (a respected broker that I and several colleagues working in Germany have been using for years).
But others are right - getting a TUV on a modified car in Germany will be challenging. The best solution, if you can, is to leave it registered in the UK. But still expect attention from the Jungs in Blau.
Things may change on that score at the end of January. But others are right - getting a TUV on a modified car in Germany will be challenging. The best solution, if you can, is to leave it registered in the UK. But still expect attention from the Jungs in Blau.
Just to close this off I managed to get both cars registered before Brexit, the e30 was expensive as I had to roll the exhaust and header system back to stock and do a bunch of other jobs but it was possible, I agreed with the garage not to bother declaring the engine swap and we got away with it, so somehow it is done. Now if only the bloody travel restrictions would open so I can enjoy the cars in Germany...
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