LHD or RHD? Registred in UK or France? (1 Viewer)

markov

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May 31, 2014
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Hi Everyone!

I'm a new member to MotorhomeFun and am frankly amazed by the wealth of information available to people like myself who are thinking of buying a Motorhome, and wanted more information before committing their savings! I love the idea of a forum where so many people are happy to help each other out ... It's certainly not always the case!

We intend to buy a MH to be used 90% in Europe. That would suggest to me (wrongly perhaps ?!?) that a LHD vehicle would be more beneficial ... but I wondered if anyone had any advice on the Pros & Cons of taking this route, please? I assume that resale values in the UK would be reduced, for a start...

If we do go LHD, would you advise buying in the UK, or abroad? (We're not sure whether to buy new or a year or so old ... Indeed, we love the look and layout of the 'Burstner Nexxo 690' and the 'Hymer Exsis T588' or 'T688', so availability may be an issue here!) I've read Blogs of people buying via an English 'agent' from a German dealer and saving a lot of money ... but then there's the issue of warranties, etc, I'd guess?

We also live part of the year in France, so could register the vehicle over there. Has anyone any advice or experience of this they'd be kind enough to share? Knowing how bureaucracy works over there, I suspect that this route could be 'interesting', but it could save driving it back to the UK for MOTs etc. I guess I'd also have to use a foreign insurer if it was registered abroad though?

Sorry I'm posing so many questions! Any help would be most appreciated...

Markov
 

Munchie

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We have a RHD Itineo bought and registered in the UK gross weight 3.5 te's (i believe this has a bearing)

We moved to France and registered it there with no problem!

You will need to change the headlights, deflectors are not acceptable.
You will need to change the fog and reverse lights over.
Then get a CT (MOT).
You will need a certificate of conformity from the maker, ours was given free by Rapido.
Take your V5, cert of conformity, CT, passports and proof of residency to the Prefecture along with copies to give them.
Took us 10 mins!!!

BTW ours is 2008 model.

RHD or LHD does not matter nor does which side the hab door is on

Hope this helps. :thumb:
 
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Terry

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Hi Markov buying a lhd van in UK will reflect on price come sale time IE buy cheap sell cheap -but there are savings to be made buying cheaper from places like Germany/Belgium,Holland etc.so more homework needed :thumb:
Hope Frankie reads the thread as she has just had a bit of a nightmare with her van registering it for France (German reg Hymer) so she will be able to fill you in on all the pitfalls :thumb:
I am sure there will be people along who know all about buying abroad etc so I will leave it at that and let more knowledgeable funsters advise :winky:::bigsmile:good luck with your search
terry

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tonka

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Were are you "resident" that could make a difference...
If it was me then I would register in your country of residence, if that's UK the you know all the in's and out's of the system for registration, insurance, MOT etc. No issues with happily traveling around Europe.

LHD or RHD Your choice... Like many others I have no issues with RHD in Europe and do almost 10,000 miles a year. I dont think LHD loose anything in resale and there are others who buy them for the same reason.

Importing, If bringing one into the UK then you just need to gather all the info and follow the system.. Plus make sure it's worth all the hassle and does actually save you some cash..

My thought for a "newbie" buy used first time.. Not many people get the right van and layout first time so buying new and having to resell in a short time then you may as well say goodbye to at least 25% of your cash....

Good luck.... You will learn more on here than anywhere else and if you subscribe for £10 it will be the best cash you have spent.
 
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Munchie

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I should have mentioned Frankie had a nightmare with hers.

It is my belief that it depends on the age of the vehicle.
Modern ones conform to EU regs and the certificate of conformity covers the chassis vehicle and the habitation area! :Smile:
 
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JeanLuc

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We set out to find a LHD van which I find very easy to use abroad and not difficult in the UK. We bought it second hand. There was no noticeable discount because it was a LHD although I am sure that could be the case sometimes. In fact, the general layout at the front of our (A-class) Hymer is better suited to the original LHD than it is to the RHD conversions that were imported to the UK. For example, if RHD, the driver's door is on the passenger's side and the driver has a large wooden dump bin on the right. We bought from Edgehill Motorhomes in Mansfield Woodhouse who specialise in importing Hymers.

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Oct 12, 2008
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Hello!

I'm French.... to start with!:Smile: .... According to this statement, I am supposed to have what I want the easiest way aren't I ? .... Well ..... NO !

After 3 months and an half of constant fight, I finally got a French homologation for my (very) German motorhome Hymer camp 51 (still waiting for the Prefecture answer!)

While some other people seemed to have had no problem at all with registration, I suggest you really ask the right questions to the right people (the ones who are going to make your life either easy or difficult!) to know where you go!


First of all if you intend to buy a French motorhome having an address in France, it should be a piece of cake. Now from what I saw, all the vehicles having been bought before 2006 are supposed to go through DREAL (= MINES or even DRIRE) to be allowed on French roads
On my appointment day at the Brive-La-Gaillarde DREAL there was a French motorhome there, the rule was the same for his owner!

Now if you intend to buy it in the UK and have it registered in France , then ask all the questions at your local DREAL...... BEFORE!!!!!!.
This applies only if you want to have your motorhome registered in France of course!


I wish you all the best:winky:

Amicalement

Frankie:Cool:

PS: To Ken .... by "some people" , I was not referring to you only Ken , and not in a nasty way either ... I have no reason why ! :winky:
 
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Xabia

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I have twice bought new LHD Hymers from Germany and then registered them in the UK without problem. If you have a look at www.mobile.de you will be able to search loads and almost certainly get a better deal than in the UK.

I certainly prefer LHD as the majority of our use is abroad.

Mike
 
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Techno

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I'm very happy with my choice of LHD and after sales prices are no different IMHO, there are always people like me who actively seek this option.
I do more miles abroad than here so it's a winner.

It was bought by first owner at Dusseldorf and is UK registered.

I still have LHD headlights and have beam deflectors for the UK that I leave on permanent.

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Munchie

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No offence taken Frankie!! :Smile:

As i said it is my belief that if the vehicle is max 3.5 te's and later than 2004 then that is why mine was so easy as from that date the certificate of conformity covers you! :thumb:
 
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