Buying from abroad (mobile.de)
Buying from abroad (mobile.de)
Author
Discussion

SunDiver

Original Poster:

780 posts

266 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
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Can anyone advise what it *roughly* costs to buy a car from abroad, from a site such as mobile.de.

It'd be an older car. Lets say one of the 964 or 993 variants.

i.e. if the price is X EUR, what does it actually end up costing? I'm not sure if one has to pay taxes/import charges etc?

996TT02

3,342 posts

169 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
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thegoose

8,077 posts

239 months

Thursday 5th September 2013
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996TT02 said:
That's not a bad guide but it's clearly a few years old - the "UK first registration fee" went up from £38 years ago and is now £55 (no big deal in itself). I'd also suggest trying to get the CoC as soon as possible (all Mercs come with it as standard when new, and all cars probably should), perhaps getting the German seller to get it.

khushy

3,984 posts

248 months

Thursday 5th September 2013
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I have bought 2 cars via mobile.de and each experience has been excellent - the costs to bring back a used LHD car to the UK as minute - do your research, be careful, get an inspection . . . German cars are great - no salt etc etc and good luck!

khushy

stevewak

541 posts

159 months

Thursday 5th September 2013
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From personal experience of importing a nearly new, but registered in Germany, Audi with VAT issues as right on the cusp of the 6-month rule, I would thoroughly recommend a call to HMRC VAT office who are extremely helpful.

Their decisions trump anything from the DVLA, so don't rely on reading or understanding any of the DVLA documents on the matter. It took us a year to get the VAT back from the main dealer who incorrectly sold the car 'no VAT'.

I found filling the form in tricky for CO2 etc, but I THINK (note!) many boxes can be left blank if you don't know.

EDIT 6/9: Sorry, now I remember the issue was that German VAT was paid on the invoice (wrong as car was still 'new', by a couple of days) so we had to pay UK VAT as well on net amount, then reclaim German VAT figure back from dealer in Germany (who then reclaimed on his return). HMRC VAT were very helpful - but take no prisoners. Took 14 months to resolve.

Edited by stevewak on Friday 6th September 08:43

996TT02

3,342 posts

169 months

Thursday 5th September 2013
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thegoose said:
That's not a bad guide but it's clearly a few years old - the "UK first registration fee" went up from £38 years ago and is now £55 (no big deal in itself).
Tears in my eyes when I read this.

Out of curiosity I checked up on what it would cost to register an '07 GT3 where I am right now.

Eur58,000.

Yes, there is no typo there, so just to be clear - Eur58,000.00

cayman-black

13,265 posts

245 months

Thursday 5th September 2013
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Would have thought it would be better to pay the vat on the german car and then there is nothing to pay vat wise once in the uk if over six months old?

freemax

160 posts

245 months

Thursday 5th September 2013
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996TT02 said:
Tears in my eyes when I read this.

Out of curiosity I checked up on what it would cost to register an '07 GT3 where I am right now.

Eur58,000.

Yes, there is no typo there, so just to be clear - Eur58,000.00
No idea where you are right now - but within the EU there should be no significant cost for a car crossing borders, common market and all that...

robrobc

198 posts

221 months

Thursday 5th September 2013
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freemax said:
No idea where you are right now - but within the EU there should be no significant cost for a car crossing borders, common market and all that...
I agree.......although try telling that to the Portuguese Authorities.

The Importation taxes are simply eye watering.
We matriculated our 2 cars this year and the savings on Importation Tax are as follows............
Porsche Cayenne Turbo 2005. ISV cm3 (Tax on engine size) = €15.307,41 plus ISV (Emissions) 22.562,86 Total €37,870.27
2007 Lexus RX350 Petrol. ISV cm3 = €10.546,77 plus ISV (Emissions) = €14.533.02 Total €25,079.79

So we can import one car each every 10 years exempt from ISV or we pay............No Exceptions.
Next time you are in a dealer looking at cars to buy, spare a thought for those of us who can only dream of buying another car.
You may want a look at www.standvirtual.pt to get a steer on car prices here in Portugal
Rob