Bringing an elderly BMW from Athens to the UK
Discussion
As per title, I am looking at the possibility of bringing a classic car from Athens to the UK.
The car is in great condition, runs and drives without fault, so was I was maybe thinking I should drive it the 2300 miles back? I appreciate that sounds foolhardy but I daily drove BMW 2002's for years and the m10 engines are pretty bullet proof.
I know it might be a daft question but would international breakdown cover with the AA/RAC cover me?
I am also unsure about the possible problems I might have going through several countries, if any?
Is there an alternative to just sticking it in a container?
Just intrigued to know if anyone else has made the same journey and / or imported a car from Greece?
The car is in great condition, runs and drives without fault, so was I was maybe thinking I should drive it the 2300 miles back? I appreciate that sounds foolhardy but I daily drove BMW 2002's for years and the m10 engines are pretty bullet proof.
I know it might be a daft question but would international breakdown cover with the AA/RAC cover me?
I am also unsure about the possible problems I might have going through several countries, if any?
Is there an alternative to just sticking it in a container?
Just intrigued to know if anyone else has made the same journey and / or imported a car from Greece?
Edited by e46m3Mark on Wednesday 17th April 10:33
For EU countries you should be okay. I went the other way (roughly) and my UK insurance covered EU countries ('green card').
I was going to say I think breakdown cover would likely only be for EU countries also, but with RAC at least they seem to have 'zones' which would cover where you'd need to go.
https://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/european-bre...
In terms of shipping it back though a RoRo (Roll On Roll Off) car ship tends to be better than a container. They are set up to ship cars and they are cheaper than a container. You can have unexpected issues with a container if it's not handled well - stuff can really move around. I had the roof of a car damaged inside a shipping container. You also need to 'handle' a container, find somewhere to unload it etc etc all a hassle.
Pireas is a huge port near Athens, so I assume you'd have no problem organising RoRo shipping. Best bet would be to find a specialist car shipping service who will book it all for you and handle customs etc.
But the drive back would be more fun!
Security wise I think you'd be fine driving. Avoid Macedonia as the roads are terrible, but coming through Albania and up the coast would be okay. North of Albania it's pretty easy going.
I was going to say I think breakdown cover would likely only be for EU countries also, but with RAC at least they seem to have 'zones' which would cover where you'd need to go.
https://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/european-bre...
In terms of shipping it back though a RoRo (Roll On Roll Off) car ship tends to be better than a container. They are set up to ship cars and they are cheaper than a container. You can have unexpected issues with a container if it's not handled well - stuff can really move around. I had the roof of a car damaged inside a shipping container. You also need to 'handle' a container, find somewhere to unload it etc etc all a hassle.
Pireas is a huge port near Athens, so I assume you'd have no problem organising RoRo shipping. Best bet would be to find a specialist car shipping service who will book it all for you and handle customs etc.
But the drive back would be more fun!
Security wise I think you'd be fine driving. Avoid Macedonia as the roads are terrible, but coming through Albania and up the coast would be okay. North of Albania it's pretty easy going.You could put out a request on Shiply (or similar) to have it trailered back and see what offers you get.
I wanted to recover a broken down Jag back from France which I didn't need in the end, but could have had it transported back for less than £200 in the end as the bids reduced.
Obviously this is Greece, so a lot further away but you never know, there may be some transport companies who might want to make some easy cash for a return journey.
EDIT: the reason I was looking at Shiply was that the breakdown cover people (green flag I think - through my Nationwide current account) were wavering over repatriating the car due to its value vs cost of transport home. I think they used £1500-2000 as the cost of transport, and the jag was worth about £2k max so it was a close call but they brought it home in the end after a bit of begging from me.
So I'm not sure on the value of the 2002, or recovery cost from Greece so that may be a non-starter. Also - I think the car has to be bought & registered in the UK to qualify too.
I wanted to recover a broken down Jag back from France which I didn't need in the end, but could have had it transported back for less than £200 in the end as the bids reduced.
Obviously this is Greece, so a lot further away but you never know, there may be some transport companies who might want to make some easy cash for a return journey.
EDIT: the reason I was looking at Shiply was that the breakdown cover people (green flag I think - through my Nationwide current account) were wavering over repatriating the car due to its value vs cost of transport home. I think they used £1500-2000 as the cost of transport, and the jag was worth about £2k max so it was a close call but they brought it home in the end after a bit of begging from me.
So I'm not sure on the value of the 2002, or recovery cost from Greece so that may be a non-starter. Also - I think the car has to be bought & registered in the UK to qualify too.
Edited by prand on Wednesday 17th April 11:05
The Greece-Italy ferries are another option - cuts down the driving and the route is well trodden and reliable. Depending on the balance of driving/ferrying you want (and finances) it's between about 8 hours (Igoumenitsa-Brindisi) and 32 hours (Patras-Venice). The Patras-Ancona one always comes out best for costs and times when I do it.
Thanks for replies chaps.
Just got this reply from a shipping / transport company. The port is only 30 mins from the car, so I can get it dropped off easily enough and then go to Southampton 25 days later. Would I be able to drive it home, as a UK MOT isn't applicable, and then register it with the DVLA? Obviously I would insure it first.
This is the proposal from the company.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your enquiry. Please find the quote below for shipping to Southampton port.
- Shipping (BMW 1970 Saloon) from Piraeus port, Greece to Southampton port, available @ £580 on the RO/RO basis.
Prices include:
- To book, please click here booking form and complete the form.
- Transit time is approximately 25 days.
-Vehicle must be drivable with operative brakes and steering and enough fuel to enable to be driven on & off the vessel.
-No goods or personal effects to be loaded inside units during shipment.
- Please check our customer reviews on Trustpilot.
We trust the above is of interest to you. Should you require any assistance or wish to make booking please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
Just got this reply from a shipping / transport company. The port is only 30 mins from the car, so I can get it dropped off easily enough and then go to Southampton 25 days later. Would I be able to drive it home, as a UK MOT isn't applicable, and then register it with the DVLA? Obviously I would insure it first.
This is the proposal from the company.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your enquiry. Please find the quote below for shipping to Southampton port.
- Shipping (BMW 1970 Saloon) from Piraeus port, Greece to Southampton port, available @ £580 on the RO/RO basis.
Prices include:
- Terminal Handling charge.
- UK customs clearance.
- Preparation of custom documentation
- Shipping on the RO/RO service.
- Boarding of carrier vessel.
- Strapping and securing vehicle
- Local Piraeus Export Charges - Not Included - To be settled by shipper to shipping line agents due to strict Greek export procedures.
- Marine Insurance (Optional) – Contact Advanced Insurance Consultants (AIC)Tel: 01442 242400 Email:info@aicinsure.co.uk
- To book, please click here booking form and complete the form.
- Transit time is approximately 25 days.
-Vehicle must be drivable with operative brakes and steering and enough fuel to enable to be driven on & off the vessel.
-No goods or personal effects to be loaded inside units during shipment.
- Please check our customer reviews on Trustpilot.
We trust the above is of interest to you. Should you require any assistance or wish to make booking please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
NervousEnergy said:
The Greece-Italy ferries are another option - cuts down the driving and the route is well trodden and reliable. Depending on the balance of driving/ferrying you want (and finances) it's between about 8 hours (Igoumenitsa-Brindisi) and 32 hours (Patras-Venice). The Patras-Ancona one always comes out best for costs and times when I do it.
Yeah, I've done the Patras-Venice Ferry before, it's great. The views of Venice from the ship are worth it alone.Stop off at Lefkadas for a lovely Island holiday on route, driving from Athens to Ignomenisa over the wonderful Rio-antirio bridge and then the ferry to Venice.
Wonderful! I assume you or a trusted individual has inspected the car thoroughly though
Edited by CousinDupree on Wednesday 17th April 13:52
jeremyc said:
Maybe try contacting beach bum who I believe is an Athens resident and owner of multiple classic cars.
Many thanks for the advice. It's a small world but seems the seller and I have been in touch via FB for quite some time.Anyway, once the Easter holidays are over and Greek officialdom is in full swing, the plates with be removed and the car loaded on the ferry. It's a 25 day voyage so I should take delivery in late May or early June.
Thanks all for your comments.
I would perhaps recommend asking the guy mentioned above. If he would nip over to physically confirm that the vehicle exists and that he can see the owner you have been talking to and the car together. Used to be a nice 635csi advertised as located in Athens that had the whiff of a well thought out scam. Don't forget that con men wouldn't do very well if they didn't come across as really decent guys.
It was all going so smoothly, or so it seemed anyway.
The shipping company have just been useless and I have very little confidence in them. As a result I'm beginning to think that maybe I should drive back after all. I only have 5 days though, so any advice would be much appreciated. Are there any roads or places I should avoid if possible?
The shipping company have just been useless and I have very little confidence in them. As a result I'm beginning to think that maybe I should drive back after all. I only have 5 days though, so any advice would be much appreciated. Are there any roads or places I should avoid if possible?
e46m3Mark said:
It was all going so smoothly, or so it seemed anyway.
The shipping company have just been useless and I have very little confidence in them. As a result I'm beginning to think that maybe I should drive back after all. I only have 5 days though, so any advice would be much appreciated. Are there any roads or places I should avoid if possible?
Drive to Patras and get the boat to Venice. That breaks up the back of the Germany. Have fun!The shipping company have just been useless and I have very little confidence in them. As a result I'm beginning to think that maybe I should drive back after all. I only have 5 days though, so any advice would be much appreciated. Are there any roads or places I should avoid if possible?
It looks like a local Greek company are going to bring it back for me. It cost more than the RORO ferry but it'll be here far more quickly. As things stand right now, it's being collected next Thursday and will travel by transporter, arriving here on the following Tuesday or Wednesday.
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