Importing from France

Hi everyone, new this forum and hopefully motorhomes. I really need help/advice/guidance..........
We have been looking at A class Rapido's for the last few months and thought we had found the one that ticked most of our boxes........
Then, using the power of the web (actually, by mistake....) I happened across the same model, 3 years newer, a lot less money, for sale in France.
Now the question is, apart from the obvious one, how do you go about importing it to Blighty.
Thanks in advance..

 

Most import from Germany hence the Lack of response.....sorry. Yes far better value with euro @ 1.34 plus the sort of discounts that can be negotiated on top of this.

What do you want to know? Many experienced imported on here....

Look on www.mobile.de to see how prices compare

 

Cheers Judge. Thinking of buying private..
What sort of forms do I need to get back to England? Insurance? Etc
I know about getting it ready for use over here, speedo, headlights, fog lamps and stuff.
I also expect to be over there a few days, so going to drive over in our car as it's the cheapest option.
Any information will be greatly recieved and digested.
Thanks

 

AS Eddie says have a look at German or Belgium prices likely to be better than France.
Importing is easy if it is o ver 6 months old no vat to pay, if the headlights do not adjust will need to be changed, speedo dial will need changing (takes less that 10 min on a Fiat), rear foglights must comply. You have to to get it checked by a garage or MOT station to say it complies then fill in a VCA form and send it off with 100 quid, when you receive the certificate back you can apply to DVLA for registration.

That is just a quick summery, Ive imported 2 van Eddie (Judgemental ) has brought in 9.

 

Don't need any forms to get it into the UK biggest problem is insurance, UK companies will on insure on a VIN plate once it is on UK soil, best way is to get the current owner to drive it to the port, there is a Dutch company that will insure expect to pay up to £1000 for 30 days.
I've brought both times new from Belgium & dealer has driven the van to the port, Germany you can get 3rd party export insurance.

 

Looked at both the German and Belgium market. Nothing there the ticks the boxes!!
As the euro is in our favour at the moment, it makes it a no brainier in my humble opinion. Ze Germans like there hymers, niesman etc which are all great vans, but no good for SWMBO!!!
It's a Rapido or we will keep the twin axle caravan she said...

 

I would have thought plenty of Rapido's for sale in Belgium & Germany you don't say what model you are after but Mobile.de are listing 103 A Class Rapido's.

 

It's a Rapido 9095 df, 2011.
Can only find 4 on leboncoin, none anywhere else.

 

I'll answer this in full tomorrow if you dont mind. Call DVLA and get the import pack for starters

 

Like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Rapido-Serie-90DF-9095-DF-Used-Motorhome-/221673267913

 

Yes, but new shape, 2011 model and a lot lot cheaper

 

Also one at Thompson leisure in NI, but again the price is £6k more than a newer shape one in France.

 

Errrr..... A lot cheaper? Are you able to phone in French for more details ? Where is the motorhome? Are you sure the motorhome exists? Le Bon Coin is fine for many things but I came across a lot of non existing vans.
If I can help with questions (your questions!) , or even if the van isn't too far away from my place (Toulouse) I can go and have a look for you. I can't go further than 200 kms as I don't have a lot of time off. I also work the week ends, this is why. But I can try. Let me know

Amicalement

Frankie

 

Same as above if its in my Region, Aquitaine/ Bordeaux

 

Wow. Cheers you two for that. I will pm you both soon as I figure out how to do it on this site.

 

Tool bar on the front page under the banner, on the left hand side of "alerts" is the inbox . Click on it and "start a conversation"

 

Never bought Privately.....Organise an inspection, not a clue how to do this in France, Germany easy, a DEKRA mechanicl inspection about £100 but that on a panel van, coachbuilt will need damp check, maybe the French members will know more on how to organise this.

An inspection with HPI gives peace of mind, they also check paperwork and are usually very thorough, someone buying a van from me a few years ago had one and he really went through everything. Better to lose a few hundred quid then buy a lemon...

 

Beware, it may be a scam, they are not unique to the uk.

 

Really don't know anything about this, sorry!
I guess I could ask my dealer if he knows who to contact. Shut today though, so do remind me tomorrow I tend to be too busy to ....think!

 

Yes, I agree. But a dealer has one near Lille and that is approx €5000 more, which is a nice van, easier to get home (ferry from belguim), but SWMBO likes the leather....so it's still worth a trip