Buying a car from someone stationed overseas

[DaveE36]

Hi all,

I've been looking at doing a deal with my car for another car, and it's currently in Germany with someone in the armed forces.

It was registered here until 3.5 years ago, and he then purchased it second hand and registered there. There's no MOT history since 2015 due to this.

Is there anything I should look out for that I wouldn't have to in a "normal" car purchase? He's re-registering the car here when he returns soon (and prior to us doing any deal).

Thanks
Dave

[Opel-GT]

He should have it all sorted prior to it getting being re registered in UK. The car will have been subjected to an annual road worthiness test in Germany.



https://bfgnet.de/vlo/returning-a-vehicle-to-the-u...

[strath44]

The German test is pretty strict so I doubt it should have many issues coming back in here, I would tend to get it checked pretty thoroughly if you can!

[Opel-GT]

strath44 said:

The German test is pretty strict so I doubt it should have many issues coming back in here, I would tend to get it checked pretty thoroughly if you can!

Its not a German TUV test but a Forces one. It tends to comply with the MOT standards (adapted for driving on the right and some of the German legal requirements)

Edited by Opel-GT on Wednesday 13th March 23:59

[NewbishDelight]

As Opel-GT said, it will have been tested under the British Forces Germany (BFG) rules which are fairly stringent.

Just make sure that you get copies of the test paperwork (in lieu of MOT).

It's becoming less common with the draw down from BFG, but used to be fairly common. If you're interested, Article 15:10 of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement allows BFG personnel to buy things ex-VAT, so you find a lot of quite nice cars get bought and driven for a year or so before being sold back into UK.

[ChocolateFrog]

Yep a couple of years ago it was Range Rover Sports. Drive 6-8k for 12 months and sell straight back to the dealer for a 10-12k profit, rinse and repeat, tax free fuel too so running something with a V8 isn't a problem.

Sounds like it's all been covered. BFG test is basically an MOT with added bits to check it has LHD headlights, correct fog light and tyres etc. The cars get issued with new plates too so the germans know where to send the fines to.

Make sure the headlights have been replaced back to standard RHD ones, although some models can just be switched over internally in the headlight unit.

[ChocolateFrog]

charchar11 said:

that sounds waaaaayyy too risky, i wouldn't even attempt it

Attempt what?

You wait for the owner to get back to the UK, give it the once over, check numbers match the V5, do HPI check and if you're happy pay him.

It's not classed any sort of import or export and if anything they use little to no salt in Germany so it'll likely be in better condition for being out there.

It will however, and I guarantee it, been driven to its max speed on many occasions. The autobahn between Paderborn and Dortmund is pretty straight.

[DaveE36]

Cheers guys. It needs a couple of things sorting but I'm getting it for a decent price. The seller has been pretty open about everything from the very start. I've got both VRMs so have been able to check MOT history etc for both here and in Germany.

[Opel-GT]

DaveE36 said:

Cheers guys. It needs a couple of things sorting but I'm getting it for a decent price. The seller has been pretty open about everything from the very start. I've got both VRMs so have been able to check MOT history etc for both here and in Germany.

Good, Glad to hear all is going well.