Should we buy in the UK or France?

Goose · 19-11-2009, 22:07

Hi, again. We have peculiar circumstances and are hoping that maybe ...just maybe... someone has similar experience or a brilliant mind

and can advise.

Our situation is different to most in that as Brit/Canadians we're looking to move from Canada to France. Originall y we were going to bring an American RV over but it appears it'll be a nightmare to register in France 'cos I can't see how we can supply a Certificate of Conformity.

We now intend buying a motorhome to tour France and get a feel for whereabouts we'd like to settle. But to purchase and register a motorhome in France we'd need to first have a physical address (which would put the cart before the horse, so to speak). Is there a way we could purchase and register a motorhome in France without having a physical address?

We could, instead, purchase a LHD motorhome in the UK using our UK address (property owned together with my folks who live there). And then we could come across to France and tour as planned. But that means duplicate costs of registering in the UK and then again later in France. And it also means being restricted to less choice in LHD Euramobil, Hymer, Rapido, Pilote etc vehicles available in the UK.

Another obstacle is the conversion of our Canadian driving licences. France doesn't recognise British Columbia licences for reciprocation, but we could hand in our licences in the UK and get UK licences (and later convert to French). France recognises South African drivers' licences for reciprocation but ours have now expired since living in Canada.

So what would you do?

Johns_Cross_Motorhomes · 19-11-2009, 22:17

Buying in England should be cheaper due to Euro exchange rate, used vans should be cheaper here.

Swap your Canadian licence for English, dont know how or what weight grades you will get.

Good luck

Peter

vwalan · 19-11-2009, 22:21

if you have relatives in uk then get uk licence uk insurance uk reg camper . keep it simple. you have an address in uk you dont in france. if you can get it registered in uk france should let you reg in france you do have to stir the crap they dont always want to agree with the rules of europe . many just stay with english lic .etc never change or reg their vehicles. i know some that have lived there for twenty years . cheers alan.

Frankia · 19-11-2009, 22:25

Can't answer all your questions but I think I may put another cat amongst the pigeons.

If you get a new licence in the UK it will presumably only be a car licence for up to 3500 kgs so will not be licensed for most Yank RV s anyway.

Is it a new 'van you are considering or a second hand - Whichever it may be a good idea to buy from France and import to the UK. - If new the VAT will be cheaper if exported to the UK - If second hand it will at least be "homologated" for France.

Whichever you decide it could be a good idea to contact Nick Legg at Bundesvan who can handle all the details including sourcing the spec you require.

See Motorcaravan Importers, Secondhand Motorhomes - Bundesvan or 'phone Telephone: +44 (0)1803 606 335.

Good luck with the move.

Heyupluv · 19-11-2009, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johns_Cross_Motorhomes

Buying in England should be cheaper due to Euro exchange rate, used vans should be cheaper here.

Swap your Canadian licence for English, dont know how or what weight grades you will get.

Good luck

Peter

Peter
I agree with Peter buy in England.....better price and choice is better...I purchased new in France as the secondhand market is really none existent as they are used till they fall apart and are very old.............and because of the problems we had changing the reg from Uk to France,.... it was just a lot of red tape

Mel

Goose · 19-11-2009, 23:42

Gosh, thanks for the replies already folks.

You might recall from my earlier post that we were going to bring an American RV across which would have been easy enough to register in the UK but very difficult to do so in France.

Peter and Mel, you are quite correct, I have noticed that UK prices for many European built motorhomes are cheaper than the same thing available in Europe. I suspect we'd only get a Class B licence on conversion, restricting us to 3500kg. Exchanging our Canadian licences would restrict us even more...to driving automatic transmission only! We have South African licences but they've expired and I don't know if the Uk licencing authorities would accept them for a swop (which would be best for us since we've driven manual transmssion most of our lives). A number of Funners have recommended upgrading to a C1 licence which is probably what I'd do in the UK as it will presumably be easier than doing the equivalent in France.

Frankia, thank for the tip regarding Nick Legg - will investigate. Would prefer a 2nd hand motorhome to benefit from the depreciated price but won't say "no" to new if the right deal presents itself.

Alan, thanks for the advice. I find it interesting that folks continue to live in France with a UK-registered motorhome - paying UK insurance, MOT etc. I thought the French laws made that impossible?

hilldweller · 19-11-2009, 23:54

Often the advice is buy in Germany.

vwalan · 19-11-2009, 23:57

if you are coming from canada will your moneybe in canadian?
the pound as dropped against the euro but as yours . or are you workig every thing back to pounds .