Buying in France

[lizibit]

Hi - does anyone have experience of buying a motorhome in France? I know they are more expensive there than many other European countries, but as the OH is French it should be easier to sort insurance and maybe put the purchase on a family member's name, plus we'll probably sell again at the end of the 6 months. Is there a good website similar to Autotrader? He's been away too long. TIA!

 

[Jim]

I know of people who buy in Germany and Belgium. France, not at all. I don't know why.

 

[eurajohn]

I've bought a few here since we moved and it's not so much the buying, it's the procedures around the registration etc. that is difficult to navigate, most of which nowadays has to be done on line.
Most seem to use dealers although probably the most private sales will be via Leboncoin although there are many others such as https://www.campingcardepot.fr/

 

[EuroTrotters]

Autoscout24
Mobile.de do have French listings sometimes

 

[PP Bear]

I know of people who buy in Germany and Belgium. France, not at all. I don't know why.

Five reverse gears and one forward

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[Kilroy]

Are they really more expensive than in Germany or Belgium?.....my recent (uneducated) scan seemed to suggest the opposite when looking at Aclass...

 

[lizibit]

Are they really more expensive than in Germany or Belgium?.....my recent (uneducated) scan seemed to suggest the opposite when looking at Aclass...

It is what I have been hearing, but can't guarantee. How do Irish prices compare?

 

[Kilroy]

Horrendously expensive here, for various reasons. And very poor range available, particularly in Class.
Any vehicle import, no matter how old, is subject to 13% registration tax on the value as estimated by the tax office. Basically they can charge what they like in vrt.
Imports from UK post Br**** are liable to 23% vat, plus 10% duty, plus 13% vrt. !!
I am searching in europe and resigned to the 13% vrt.

 

[rb62]

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[Kilroy]

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Thanks. There are better listings for France...eg LeBon Coin, Parvendu

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[Clipgate]

I have purchased in France, if your residents it's not an issue just procedural.
If your looking from the UK insurance is your challenge, without residency no insurance, you may not believe me, no doubt your research will reveal.
In addition no UK company is now authorised to contract insurance now, it was a challenge before, however now it's not possible.
UK companies can insure from a UK port of entry on the VIN but not to the port in Europe.
Ensure you get the original CofC becoming a big issue here
I will still purchase in France as a much wider choice of models and makes, like most things not easy as to find a choice unit, a great deal of Toads need to be kissed whilst searching
Good hunting, it's also fun.
OH insurance registration of a trust in France is the solution, need a address etc. But doable

 

[gpat]

I have purchased in France, if your residents it's not an issue just procedural.
If your looking from the UK insurance is your challenge, without residency no insurance, you may not believe me, no doubt your research will reveal.
In addition no UK company is now authorised to contract insurance now, it was a challenge before, however now it's not possible.
UK companies can insure from a UK port of entry on the VIN but not to the port in Europe.
Ensure you get the original CofC becoming a big issue here
I will still purchase in France as a much wider choice of models and makes, like most things not easy as to find a choice unit, a great deal of Toads need to be kissed whilst searching
Good hunting, it's also fun.
OH insurance registration of a trust in France is the solution, need a address etc. But doable

I thought it was frogs that had to be kissed.

 

[Kilroy]

I have purchased in France, if your residents it's not an issue just procedural.
If your looking from the UK insurance is your challenge, without residency no insurance, you may not believe me, no doubt your research will reveal.
In addition no UK company is now authorised to contract insurance now, it was a challenge before, however now it's not possible.
UK companies can insure from a UK port of entry on the VIN but not to the port in Europe.
Ensure you get the original CofC becoming a big issue here
I will still purchase in France as a much wider choice of models and makes, like most things not easy as to find a choice unit, a great deal of Toads need to be kissed whilst searching
Good hunting, it's also fun.
OH insurance registration of a trust in France is the solution, need a address etc. But doable

Thanks for your interesting comments
I am resident in ROI and I believe that I can insure from here on the VIN...that is the case with Germany anyway and I imagine from France too. ?

I believe that the CofC is also a post Br**** issue for UK & not for EU..? (in this case ROI)

"OH insurance registration of a trust in France is the solution, need a address etc. But doable"...... that is interesting. I have friends in France where I can also store a MH....can you say more on this , or is there a link? I'd be delighted to avoid import duties here if poss.

 

[lizibit]

Horrendously expensive here, for various reasons. And very poor range available, particularly in Class.
Any vehicle import, no matter how old, is subject to 13% registration tax on the value as estimated by the tax office. Basically they can charge what they like in vrt.
Imports from UK post Br**** are liable to 23% vat, plus 10% duty, plus 13% vrt. !!
I am searching in europe and resigned to the 13% vrt.

That is pretty heavy alright. I live in London but am from N Ireland and thought it may be an option to buy there rather than France and take it on the ferry from Rosslare but insurance would also be complex.

 

[lizibit]

I have purchased in France, if your residents it's not an issue just procedural.
If your looking from the UK insurance is your challenge, without residency no insurance, you may not believe me, no doubt your research will reveal.
In addition no UK company is now authorised to contract insurance now, it was a challenge before, however now it's not possible.
UK companies can insure from a UK port of entry on the VIN but not to the port in Europe.
Ensure you get the original CofC becoming a big issue here
I will still purchase in France as a much wider choice of models and makes, like most things not easy as to find a choice unit, a great deal of Toads need to be kissed whilst searching
Good hunting, it's also fun.
OH insurance registration of a trust in France is the solution, need a address etc. But doable

I was thinking we could buy in husband's French father's name and then either see if any French insurers will cover us without being residents or look at getting covered as additional drivers on the France resident's policy. Tried MAAF and they said no. AXA said we could be added to father-in-laws insurance, even if it is for a 6 month trip. Of course we don't have that in writing. I think if we can get a viable solution, we'll sell again in France after this trip and buy again in the future

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[lizibit]

I thought it was frogs that had to be kissed.

Maybe that is where Clipgate was going wrong