Buying a Motorhome in Germany via mobile.de

Weinsbergaman

Weinsbergaman

Free Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Posts
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Location
Wirral, North West England
Funster No
35,035
MH
B Class
Exp
I'm a newbie
Hi all,

New to all this although we have been on a couple of skiing trips in a hired motorhome over the last couple of years.

We are seriously thinking of buying a used motorhome from Germany via the mobile.de website. We have 2 in mind, a Eura Mobil Integra 660HB or the Frankia 700. I have the import documents from the DVLA. Is there any advice around as we are a little worried by the age (2002/2003) of the vans (Budget restrictions). The exchange rate with the euro is very favourable right now.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks Antony
 
Age? Ahaaaa!

Mine was bought last year early March and it is a 1991 fiat ducato!
OK I had to do the cambelt right away, but otherwise, only a few little things which were quickly fixed! Apart from its "Rats adventure" but this has nothing to do with the age of the van only with nature (PAH!...bloomin' rats!)
Anyway , I found a lot of quite good bargains on the German site you mentioned.
I can't give you more advices as I have imported it to France and believe this is were the main worries were.. France and its red tape... driving me mad and taking nearly 4 months (and quite a few bobs) to be solved!
Have a good look under though, check cassis and rust with a good hammer! Salt in Germany (on roads when snowing that is) kills the whole thing , and if you don't look then you might have nasty surprises! Damp and roof leaks around the vents ... mechanic ....

Good luck on your purchase! Oh and... welcome on FUN !

Amicalement

Frankie:):cool:
 
image.jpg
Like your Avatar....A lot(y)
 
The main thing I worry about is damp.. it can be very expensive to repair.. DIY it is a big job.. been there..

So I'd invest in a decent damp meter and give each van a real going over.. every joint, under the windows, along the floor joints , in the locker boxes, under beds, around windows and roof lights.. lift the rubber seal and probe .. more than 15% then walk.. and any smell of damp don't even bother.. we used to call it 'caravan smell' .. a musty odor.. like dead damp leaves.. if you smell perfume / air freshener, .. it may be an attempt to hide the damp smell.

Moisture readings tend to be higher in winter, especially with a van that's been laid up for a few months, but no way should it be damp.. accept no excuses. don't accept a reduction in price .. just say bye bye

Age I wouldn't worry about but would insist on seeing proof of servicing and if the engine has a cam belt, when it was changed..

Check all other appliances actually work..

Look underneath for corrosion.. especially at the suspension points.. up under the front wings.. check the exhaust while you're down there.. make sure it is not falling off or has any obvious breaks or loose parts.. give it a good pull..

Check tyres tread depth and for wall cracks.. if possble check age using the code on the tyre .. more than seven years old should be replaced irrespective of tread depth ..

Take for a test drive..
 
Yes the exchange rate is favourable but look at the costs involved in going over to Germany, researching, looking, testing.

Getting it back to the UK and DVLA, MOT etc and then any problems afterwards, you are on your own.

OK if your knowledgable and can sort problems out but in my book far better off to but from a reputable dealer with back up, they are about!

State your requirements on Fun and you never know a fellow Funster might be looking to sell his.

Just my two pennorth

Peter

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Thanks for all the replies.

I already have my euro's abroad so buying in the UK doesn't make financial sense right now. I've always fancied buying an A Class from europe as I've already have experience of buying a new car from Belgium. The trip is part of the fun & excitement. I will invest in a good quality damp meter & check her over with a fine tooth-comb & also use ADAC to conduct a thorough check.

One thing I noticed on the DVLA docs was a statement that no UK resident can drive a vehicle with foreign plates on in the UK. I presume this is to prevent road tax avoidance but can one drive from Dover to Wirral legally just to get it home? (What happened to the EU single market, freedom of movement etc??? One rule for them & another for us eh)

Thanks Antony
 
[QUOTE="Antony Rowley, post: 1294973, member: 35035"

One thing I noticed on the DVLA docs was a statement that no UK resident can drive a vehicle with foreign plates on in the UK. I presume this is to prevent road tax avoidance but can one drive from Dover to Wirral legally just to get it home? (What happened to the EU single market, freedom of movement etc??? One rule for them & another for us eh)

Thanks Antony[/QUOTE]
No there is not even an exemption for that. Do what every one else does & take no notice. The EU Rule, which is where it actually comes from, was enacted in 1983 & it has taken until now for the various countries/EU to start to enforce it. As long as it is insured I wouldn't worry .
& no there is no "1 rule for them " etc; it is exactly the same in all EU states & some
( here in Spain) are far stricter than others.
They can only require you to re-register it in the Uk anyway & that's your intention. :LOL:
 
gus-lopez said:
[QUOTE="Antony Rowley, post: 1294973, member: 35035"

One thing I noticed on the DVLA docs was a statement that no UK resident can drive a vehicle with foreign plates on in the UK. I presume this is to prevent road tax avoidance but can one drive from Dover to Wirral legally just to get it home? (What happened to the EU single market, freedom of movement etc??? One rule for them & another for us eh)

Thanks Antony
Click to expand...
No there is not even an exemption for that. Do what every one else does & take no notice. The EU Rule, which is where it actually comes from, was enacted in 1983 & it has taken until now for the various countries/EU to start to enforce it. As long as it is insured I wouldn't worry .
& no there is no "1 rule for them " etc; it is exactly the same in all EU states & some
( here in Spain) are far stricter than others.
They can only require you to re-register it in the Uk anyway & that's your intention. :LOL:[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info, one less hurdle.
 
I have imported two new Hymers from Germany, no problems in registering in the UK and never had a problem with driving on the import plates. Only downside is that you only have third party insurance on the temporary plates until you can get cover in the UK.

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Hi All,

Well after loads of searching on Mobile.de and 2 failed purchases we've finally secured a motorhome :). We collect our 2005 Weinsberg Meteor 790 at the end of this month. Can't wait. I'll update with photo's and the journey home once we've collected her (y)

Thanks Antony
 
Antony Rowley said:
Hi All,

Well after loads of searching on Mobile.de and 2 failed purchases we've finally secured a motorhome :). We collect our 2005 Weinsberg Meteor 790 at the end of this month. Can't wait. I'll update with photo's and the journey home once we've collected her (y)

Thanks Antony
Click to expand...

Doing a happy dance for you! Good luck and safe journey.

:party2::party2:
 
Xabia said:
I have imported two new Hymers from Germany, no problems in registering in the UK and never had a problem with driving on the import plates. Only downside is that you only have third party insurance on the temporary plates until you can get cover in the UK.
Click to expand...

A company that I used to work for imported some vans about ten years ago from Southern Ireland that were new. The only problem they had was at one year old they needed on MOT, is this still the case?. We are looking to buy a new Hymer next year, it would appear that at todays exchange it would be £11000.00 cheaper at list price, same specification but LHD which we are ok with.
 
For me, the biggest advantage with mobile.de is the choice of motorhomes available.
German marques like Euramobil and Frankia are so hard to find in the UK, it makes perfect sense to look abroad.

When we were in the market, our shortlist was only ever four or five vans in the UK at any one time.
Start looking in Europe and there might be twenty plus vans that fit the bill.

And let's be honest, if you want the best van, you've got to do the legwork, or have very deep pockets and buy new....

Hope it works out for you !

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Antony Rowley said:
One thing I noticed on the DVLA docs was a statement that no UK resident can drive a vehicle with foreign plates on in the UK. I presume this is to prevent road tax avoidance but can one drive from Dover to Wirral legally just to get it home? (What happened to the EU single market, freedom of movement etc??? One rule for them & another for us eh)

Thanks Antony
Click to expand...
In theory you should remove the plates when UK and drive without any, this is legal as the DVLA only recommend you transport the vehicle.
Which gives you the best chance of getting stopped, no plates or foreign plates? I think we all know the answer.

Our Belgium dealer fits a set of false Belgium plates and drives the van to the port for us on trade plates.
 
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Good luck with your purchase and enjoy your travels(y)
 
Antony Rowley said:
I'll update with photo's and the journey home once we've collected her (y)
Click to expand...
I look forward to those Antony. In the meantime, enjoy your new MH, and have a safe and uneventful journey home. (y)

Cheers for now,

Jock.
 
One of the biggest problems is actually getting the dealer to respond when you see a used motorhome and send them an email, even though the website says they export and speak English.

Paul.

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CazPaul said:
One of the biggest problems is actually getting the dealer to respond when you see a used motorhome and send them an email, even though the website says they export and speak English.

Paul.
Click to expand...
Hi Paul,

Yes, I found that they don't respond to emails. I suppose they get loads of web tyre kickers, so I found that a quick phone call was best. Nothing like hearing someones voice and enthusiasm. Talking is best ;) imo.

Thanks for all the kind comments and I too hope it's an uneventful but enjoyable journey as that is part of the fun (I hope)

Antony
 
Antony Rowley said:
Hi Paul,

Yes, I found that they don't respond to emails. I suppose they get loads of web tyre kickers, so I found that a quick phone call was best. Nothing like hearing someones voice and enthusiasm. Talking is best ;) imo.

Thanks for all the kind comments and I too hope it's an uneventful but enjoyable journey as that is part of the fun (I hope)

Antony
Click to expand...


Good luck with it all Anthony, we did it in 2007, all went smoothly.

Paul.
 
German dealer a few of us use offers 5 day export insurance which is fully comp ! They arranged this with insurer as they export a lot to Scandinavia as well as here. Buying a CB or A class I recommend Belgium, prices just as keen. Shop around and you can get 17% on a coachbuilt, 10% on a panel van.., its a no brainer! :)
 
CazPaul said:
One of the biggest problems is actually getting the dealer to respond when you see a used motorhome and send them an email, even though the website says they export and speak English.
Paul.
Click to expand...


If your serious just call make contact then email
 
Yes may have too.

Its best we feel when buying used which is different to buying new (which is what you have probably always done) to draw up a short list and go for a week or 2 checking them out. The problem is the same as UK some of them are not as advertised, we spent many months in Germany at one point looking, some dealers definitely to avoid.
Example. Hymer S820 advertised at Niesmann caravanning in Polch as excellent, what a pile of rubbish when we got there.
Hymer S820 advertised as excellent at wohnmobile galerie in Hohenaspe, even worse condition, don't know how they had the cheek to even advertise it in that state.

Just 2 that spring to mind, lots of others in poor condition, just the same as UK.

Paul.

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Its all about choosing a reliable dealer....and keep them!
 
I have had dealings with campirama but never bought from them, but I would say yes. @lennyhb has bought two vans from them...he should see this :)
 
Judgemental said:
German dealer a few of us use offers 5 day export insurance which is fully comp ! They arranged this with insurer as they export a lot to Scandinavia as well as here. Buying a CB or A class I recommend Belgium, prices just as keen. Shop around and you can get 17% on a coachbuilt, 10% on a panel van.., its a no brainer! :)
Click to expand...

Could you pm the dealer's details please, looking to buy a new Hymer A Class next year.
 
Electraglide said:
Could you pm the dealer's details please, looking to buy a new Hymer A Class next year.
Click to expand...

Broken Link Removed

for EuraMobil and other makes another Belgian dealer. have bought from these, very efficient service......good selection of used as well :)

Broken Link Removed

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