Hi
We've been meaning to introduce ourselves since we joined but it seems to have been a long road from when we started last year to actually getting to a point where we are actually preparing for our first proper trip. We are Frank and Veronika from Guildford. We have hired vans before to try out and been to some shows and decided what we wanted as our first van. We bought a new left hand drive Carthago Malibu 600LE from a dealer in Stralsund Germany. Unfortunately it sprung an oil leak on the way back but this was sorted under Fiat's warranty, the warranty department in Italy were very good.
I bought the Right Hand drive lights from a MotorhomeFunster and a new MPH speedo dial insert from Lockwood International. Both were very easily fitted myself and after getting a local MOT garage to verify it for a reasonable fee set about registering with DVLA. Sorry forgot to say that in the meantime I had to pay UK VAT, this should have been very straightforward and quick but I had been incorrectly advised by HMRC that the electronic form could be drafted before I left for Germany, it can't you have to delete it and fill it in again after the imported date.
Anyway then followed the registration saga - 4 months without boring you with all the details (I have written something before on this) we finally got a registration in December 2019. I am glad I managed to get in before Brexit, dread to think what it will be like after.
So next step was to fit the extras, decided to do this in UK with Sunstore in Sussex. Can thoroughly recommend them discussed details before the import, it was much cheaper than at the dealer in Germany and because the dealer in Germany couldn't fit the extras without charging VAT, they would have increased the value for UK VAT assessment, and I'm not sure if I could have claimed the German VAT back? Tom at Sunstore was very helpful with all the technical stuff - had a solar panel fitted (fridge is electric only); LPG underslung gas tank; myfi and an extra 12v socket running off the twin leisure batteries for laptop charging.
By the time we were ready Coronavirus was upon us we had just managed to get a few days in Norfolk on our first trip when Boris announced the lockdown and we had to rush back home where the van has stood since then.
Just preparing and planning for our first trip across Europe. We have been enjoying reading the posts on the forum, all very helpful.
We've been meaning to introduce ourselves since we joined but it seems to have been a long road from when we started last year to actually getting to a point where we are actually preparing for our first proper trip. We are Frank and Veronika from Guildford. We have hired vans before to try out and been to some shows and decided what we wanted as our first van. We bought a new left hand drive Carthago Malibu 600LE from a dealer in Stralsund Germany. Unfortunately it sprung an oil leak on the way back but this was sorted under Fiat's warranty, the warranty department in Italy were very good.
I bought the Right Hand drive lights from a MotorhomeFunster and a new MPH speedo dial insert from Lockwood International. Both were very easily fitted myself and after getting a local MOT garage to verify it for a reasonable fee set about registering with DVLA. Sorry forgot to say that in the meantime I had to pay UK VAT, this should have been very straightforward and quick but I had been incorrectly advised by HMRC that the electronic form could be drafted before I left for Germany, it can't you have to delete it and fill it in again after the imported date.
Anyway then followed the registration saga - 4 months without boring you with all the details (I have written something before on this) we finally got a registration in December 2019. I am glad I managed to get in before Brexit, dread to think what it will be like after.
So next step was to fit the extras, decided to do this in UK with Sunstore in Sussex. Can thoroughly recommend them discussed details before the import, it was much cheaper than at the dealer in Germany and because the dealer in Germany couldn't fit the extras without charging VAT, they would have increased the value for UK VAT assessment, and I'm not sure if I could have claimed the German VAT back? Tom at Sunstore was very helpful with all the technical stuff - had a solar panel fitted (fridge is electric only); LPG underslung gas tank; myfi and an extra 12v socket running off the twin leisure batteries for laptop charging.
By the time we were ready Coronavirus was upon us we had just managed to get a few days in Norfolk on our first trip when Boris announced the lockdown and we had to rush back home where the van has stood since then.
Just preparing and planning for our first trip across Europe. We have been enjoying reading the posts on the forum, all very helpful.
I think the virus caught a lot of us out. Just getting mobile myself after buying a new to me van in March. Happy travels.
