Car buying in France, Belgium and Holland

Buying Tips

Make sure the vehicle you want to buy is available in the United Kingdom You may have trouble when servicing comes around.

Find out how much the model you want is in the United Kingdom Before you go across - don't assume everything is cheaper abroad.

Find out how experienced the dealer is in dealing with United Kingdom customers.

Ensure that the final price includes any supplements for right hand drive vehicles.

Ask about the deposit you will have to put down when ordering, and what the position is if you cancel (due to delays for example).

Buy from authorised dealers, unless you know how do otherwise.

Ask for English manuals.

Bear in mind that the exchange rate may change by the time you come to pay the balance - to avoid any unwelcome surprises you may wish to leave the balance in a French bank account when you order the vehicle.

Before you pick up the car check that the dealer has arranged temporary insurance for you as well as transit plates for the vehicle.

Register the vehicle within 14 days at a Vehicle registry Office. Take your invoice to prove ownership, your United Kingdom insurance certificate, your driving licence, the E.U. Certificate of Conformity from the dealer, transit plates and the French (or Belgium) temporary registration document. Fill out the registration document (V55/5), pay your road tax and first registration fee. You will then be given a VAT 415 form which is passed on to HM Revenue and Customs. Within 30 days you will have to pay the tax bill.

Tip from the Message Board

Seized vehicle car auctions - East Coast Salvage on the A12 near Colchester. Prices start at £25+. More

Car companies in France (French sites) - Garages in Calais

- Alfa Romeo. www.alfaromeo.fr

- Audi. www.audi.fr

- BMW. www.bmw.fr

- Citroën. www.citroen.fr

- Chrysler. www.chrysler.fr

- Fiat. www.fiat.fr

- Ford. www.ford.fr

- Honda. www.honda.fr

- Hyundai. www.hyundai.fr

- Jaguar. www.jaguar.fr

- Jeep. www.jeep.fr

- Landrover. www.landrover.fr

- Lexus. www.lexus.fr

- Mazda. www.mazda.fr

- Mercedes. www.mercedes-benz.fr

- Mitsubishi. www.mitsubishi-motors.fr

- Nissan. www.nissan.fr

- Opel (Vauxhall). www.opel.fr

- Peugeot. www.peugeot.fr

- Porsche. www.porsche.com/france

- Renault. www.renault.fr

- Rover. www.mg-rover.com

- SAAB. www.saab.fr

- SEAT. www.seat.fr

- Skoda. www.skoda.fr

- Subaru. www.subaru.fr

- Suzuki. www.suzuki.fr

- Toyota. www.toyota.fr

- Volkswagen. www.volkswagen.fr

- Volvo. www.volvocars.fr

Regulations

"How to Permanently import your vehicle into Great Britain" - information from the Department of Environment. Tel: 020 7676 2094. www.direct.gov.uk

Is your driving Licence up to date?

DVLC Car import help desk - 01792 783 539

DVLC Swansea general advice - 01792 458 888

Customs and excise London - 0207 202 4227

Customs and excise Dover - 01304 224 372 / 224 606

The Vehicle inspectorate - 01792 458 888.

TIP - use your credit card (not a charge card) when paying a deposit - the Consumer Credit Act makes credit card companies liable for any breach of contract

Companies that Import - for information only

Please take proper legal advice before proceeding with any purchase. Finance

Please mention you found out about the company concerned through Day-tripper.net.

This information is provided for research only - If you have had problems dealing with any of the above companies - please let us know.

day-tripper.net accepts no liability for trading problems which may occur.

Finance

Eurocar Broker Services Ltd. Tel: 01798 812 519. Only finances imported cars.

Sequent Ltd. Tel: 01628 828 190.

Useful Outside links

European Commission Report ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/sectors/motor_vehicles.

www.rip-off.co.uk - Worthwhile link

- Say NO to 0870. www.saynoto0870.com