Buying a camper van in the UK (1 Viewer)

karead

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We are Canadians who live full time in our 28 ft motorhome. We have spent the last five years touring Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

We are flying to the UK in June and are now thinking about buying a small camper van to tour Europe for a few months. We see a lot of relatively cheap units for sale that would suit our needs.

Questions...

1) Many adverts mention MOT "paid" and tax "paid" until certain dates. Can somebody explain what this means and what costs would be incurred after such dates.

2) Is it a simple process for a foreigner to buy and register such a vehicle? Or would it be better to have UK relatives buy it for us and then "borrow" it from them for a few months?

Thanks...I'm sure more questions will be forthcoming, but only just starting to research the idea.

http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
 
Feb 27, 2011
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Hi there,

MOT is the Ministry of Transport Test. It is a safety test carried out annually and it is illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate. It costs anywhere between £25 and £55 to get one depending on the Garage.

The Tax is a disk you put in your windscreen. It is usually around £200 ish per year. Can be as low as £165. You need this displayed at all times.

Owning a vehicle in the UK just requires a Valid address for you to get the registration documents registered to.

You will also need to organise insurance. I think this will be the hardest bit for you. Not sure how to go about this for someone not a uk resident...

I am sure someone else will be along shortly to give you more details..
 

Bushtrekker

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My wifes uncle did that.

My wife's uncle lives in Australia and his grandson is a professional tennis player, so a couple of years ago they came over to take him round the circuit. To avoid hotel costs he bought a motorhome, in fact as far as I know he still has it. He left it with a friend here when he went back.

I also heard something on the radio a few years back about a guy who owned a motorhome in the States and flew out at the start of each season, so it's certainly possibly either way.

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tonka

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Remember to check what vehicle weights your Canadian license will cover in the UK. They made some changes to the UK license back in1997, beore that date people could drive up to 7500kg max weight. After 1997 a UK license will only allow up to 3500kg.. So you will see some reference in adverts to weights.
 

Bushtrekker

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Good point.

I'm old enough to have 'Grandfather Rights' and my licence covers me for anything up to 7.5 tonnes, but yours may not.
 
Apr 18, 2009
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Hi and welcome guys:thumb: I don't think there will be any problems with you buying a van over here, after all loads of people from all over the world do it all the time, I presume you will be buying second hand? but you will need a UK address of some sort i would think, anyway HERE is a link to our Driver and licencing agency who should be able to answer most of your questions:thumb:

PS Have read some of your blog by the way, very enjoyable:Smile:

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S

stagman

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We are Canadians who live full time in our 28 ft motorhome. We have spent the last five years touring Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

We are flying to the UK in June and are now thinking about buying a small camper van to tour Europe for a few months. We see a lot of relatively cheap units for sale that would suit our needs.



Have you consodered hiring one you might be able to get a good deal over a few months , and less hassle with buy, sell ,insurance ,breakdown cover etc several hirers now in the country :thumb:
 

scotjimland

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Hi, and welcome to the forum ..

As already mentioned, you only need a UK address to register the vehicle.. so you could use a relatives address.
From other posts on this subject it would appear that getting insurance is the biggest headache..

I had a Google for insurance for non EU residents and came up with this site

UK Car Insurance for Drivers With EU / Foreign / International Licences

hope you find it of some use ..

Good luck with your plans :Smile:
 
Mar 21, 2009
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If you have relatives over here the easiest option may be to get them to buy it and insure it for you to drive, they can then sell it on when you are finished.

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spannermanwigan

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Have a look here this guy sells motorhomes and then buys them back when you have
finished, an e mail to him may give you a lot of info.
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Hope it helps
Regards
Steve:thumb:
 
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karead

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Thanks for the replies...the research continues...
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

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Your best bet is to have relatives as the registered keeper and have you added to insurance as additional driver.

You will need to make sure the van has a long MOT to cover the period you will be away and you should have European recover in the event of a breakdown etc.

Hiring would not be a cheap option !

Be very wary of buy back schemes, I have heard stories of people being well ripped off when they try and return the van

Peter

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karead

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Thanks for the advice Peter. No, we will not be renting, nor will we be doing any "buy-back" schemes. I'm pretty mechanically inclined so have no issues with buying an older vehicle at the right price and with a little luck being able to sell it for what I paid for it when we're finished with it. Does sound like it will make more sense to have it registered and insured in a family members name and having me added as a driver.
 

TheBig1

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Just a minor issue, you cannot insure a vehicle in somebody elses name in the UK legally. If you make a claim on the insurance it will be invalid and wont pay out, leaving you criminally liable for any claim against you:winky:
 
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karead

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Just a minor issue, you cannot insure a vehicle in somebody elses name in the UK legally. If you make a claim on the insurance it will be invalid and wont pay out, leaving you criminally liable for any claim against you:winky:

I don't see where anybody suggested that.

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TheBig1

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Just read that back and it doesnt make full sense.
What I meant was if you insure a vehicle in the name of a third party or add somebody to insurance who will be the sole driver, not the policy holder it becomes illegal. Much the same as parents insuring a car in their name but it being for the sole use of their children. People still try this to save on high insurance premiums payable for inexperienced drivers. When caught many plead ignorance, saying its what everyone else does. Still illegal though and they get fined


Does sound like it will make more sense to have it registered and insured in a family members name and having me added as a driver.
 
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karead

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So what you're saying is that it would be illegal for my relative to buy a vehicle and then lend it to me for a few months to tour around Europe , even if he included me as a driver on his insurance?
 

Terry

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Hi karead, sounds like you have the best idea.:thumb:Start your homework now (price wise) on both Autotrader -http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/ and Ebay --http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Campers-Caravans-Motorhomes-/121904/i.html?_nkw=Motorhome&_catref=1&_mPrRngCbx=1&_sop=&_trksid=p3286.c0.m1538
to get a idea on how much to pay :thumb: Never pay asking price ::bigsmile:
Insurance wise if a British family member insures it for you expect anything from £300 to £500 for a yrs cover but be careful as some will only give 30 days for euro cover IE outside UK but you can start your 30 again after returning :Doh: others will cover 60 days and others all year so a little planing may be needed :thumb:
You will soon run out of free posts so pay the £10 to become a full member and you can ask as many Questions as you like :thumb: It will be the best tenner you will spend :winky:
When you get nearer the time you can always ask thoughts on what to buy or even tell me/ us your budget and preferences to do a quick search and we could suggest a short-list for you to go look at when you arrive :thumb: As you say hopefully you can buy-use and sell without loosing money or at the very least loose very little :winky:
Vans are starting to sell now,and around October sales stall again for the winter.
terry

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TheBig1

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So what you're saying is that it would be illegal for my relative to buy a vehicle and then lend it to me for a few months to tour around Europe , even if he included me as a driver on his insurance?


If you were a named driver on the policy and drove it occasionally that would be fine. However what you describe is more a prolonged tour, where you would be the main/only driver. This would invalidate the insurance and make it illegal, so yes

Im not picking a fight here, just wanted to ensure you were aware of the way UK insurers work, and the possible danger of doing it the wrong way:thumb:
 
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karead

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If you were a named driver on the policy and drove it occasionally that would be fine. However what you describe is more a prolonged tour, where you would be the main/only driver. This would invalidate the insurance and make it illegal, so yes

Im not picking a fight here, just wanted to ensure you were aware of the way UK insurers work, and the possible danger of doing it the wrong way:thumb:

No worries, I understand what you are saying. However, I think when the time comes I will simply tell the insurer what I am doing. Not trying to do anything underhanded. Just the simplest way.
 

Terry

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If you were a named driver on the policy and drove it occasionally that would be fine. However what you describe is more a prolonged tour, where you would be the main/only driver. This would invalidate the insurance and make it illegal, so yes

Im not picking a fight here, just wanted to ensure you were aware of the way UK insurers work, and the possible danger of doing it the wrong way:thumb:

No worries, I understand what you are saying. However, I think when the time comes I will simply tell the insurer what I am doing. Not trying to do anything underhanded. Just the simplest way.

The Big 1 is correct but as you say if you tell the insurers what you intend to do then there are insurers out there that cover you :thumb: Again nearer the time lots of advice on here for your self of family member to ring around
terry

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slobadoberbob

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A couple of extra bits of info to add

In the UK (London area) there is a motorway that goes round London called the M25 .. inside this there is an LEZ emission control zone .. few old motor -homes or or RV's if diesel powered can enter the London area (high fines.. very high) .. also remember the Olympics are in the UK this summer and that is going to play hell with the South East road wise and parking wise.

Hiring in the UK is very expensive. Yes you can get insurance, I have done it for a cousin in Australia who came over and used my spare car... I just added him to the insurance policy.

You may want to consider joining ADAC .. look back for posts on the subject.. basically a breakdown / service like AAA in the USA.. but is German based but has 17m members and can be taken out in the UK or the USA and is a lot cheaper than the UK AA which ADAC use anyway to do the recovery or repair at the road side.

Others have mentioned the driving licence regulations.. there are a lot of the smaller european type motorhomes that are under 3.5 tons.. but if you have been full timing on an 28' RV you would certainly notice the difference.. chalk and cheese... There are many American RV's for sale in the UK .. Look on ebay (UK site) and check out under American RV Motorhomes for examples and prices. Europeans are better for the size of the UK roads, but I like many have an RV and we cope OK.. European Roads are OK.

I see you are a read only member.. worth paying £10 to belong to the group.. you then can ask lots of questions and p.m. private message members who may be able to help and advise you off line. Best £10 of your trip you will pay.

I wish you luck on your trip, with care and understanding it will be a great adventure..

Bob
 

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