Buying A Car From Europe

Looking to buy something, ask in here.
User avatar
Dave_Harris
Forum Contributor
Posts: 1569
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 11:28 am
Car Details: 2011, 3.0 D4 HSE
Location: Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes

Buying A Car From Europe

Post by Dave_Harris » Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:54 pm

So an interesting offer has come my way that I wouldn't normally consider....
I have been made aware of a car being up for sale, that appears to be genuine, FSH, great condition, reasonable mileage etc etc...

The catch - its in Finland!

Has anyone got any experience with purchasing from abroad (or just purchasing without seeing or feeling for that matte), as its all quite a bit scary to me!

As I said I wouldn't normally consider it, but its an interesting opportunity, but I need to figure out how to mitigate the obvious issues that could be discovered when it arrives and is only 3" long.

I'd be doing a HPI / Background check, MOT History, asking for copied of the FSH papers, videos of some functions such as air suspension, as well as videos of dash during ignition on and startup.

How else can i avoid being screwed over?



User avatar
Kingmav66
Forum Contributor
Posts: 6560
Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:23 pm
Winner: Modification of the Year 2013
Mechanical Maestro of the Year 2014
Car Details: D3 HSE
Location: Gloucester

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by Kingmav66 » Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:51 pm

Depends how much it's worth to you and £'s, as I would be looking for a cheap flight over there :thumbright:



countrywide
Moderator
Posts: 8136
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:22 pm

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by countrywide » Mon Sep 19, 2016 5:04 pm

Depending on value of car, use a local agent to buy on your behalf.Normally charge a percentage and know the local paperwork to check it's legit etc.

My cousin does it all the time the other way, he buys here and takes over to Holland.



User avatar
anglefire
Site Admin
Posts: 19326
Joined: Sat May 15, 2010 8:01 pm
Winner: Club Member of Year 2012 & 13
Car Details: Skoda Enyaq IV 80
Member Since: 17 May 2010
Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Contact:

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by anglefire » Mon Sep 19, 2016 5:36 pm

What about the LHD issue?

Also check the cost of insurance - you might find it higher being an import?


Mark

Waeco CFX 40
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500
Skoda Enyaq IV 80
Skoda Superb SE L Ex (Gone)
2006 disco3 SE. Gone but not forgotten.
BMW 530d M Sport Touring. Gone
Member of Admin team and :ugeek:
Disco3Club Photos: Here

User avatar
Dave_Harris
Forum Contributor
Posts: 1569
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 11:28 am
Car Details: 2011, 3.0 D4 HSE
Location: Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by Dave_Harris » Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:33 pm

I should have clarified - This is a UK car thats made its way to europe, so RHD etc.

Flight is certainly an option, in fact I had already considered that in a sense. if it was closer, I would fly there with a view to driving it home, gving me the option to walk away if needed.
However, its in Finland!



User avatar
Kingmav66
Forum Contributor
Posts: 6560
Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:23 pm
Winner: Modification of the Year 2013
Mechanical Maestro of the Year 2014
Car Details: D3 HSE
Location: Gloucester

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by Kingmav66 » Mon Sep 19, 2016 10:34 pm

You can fly Heathrow/Gatwick to Helsinki. What is it that's so special?



User avatar
JF Lux
Forum Contributor
Posts: 4679
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:06 pm
Winner: Rear of The Year 2011 & 13
Avatar of the Year 2013 (Poppy)
Winner of the Chairman's Award 2014
Car Details: D5 Si6 HSE & D3 HSE
Location: Somewhere foriegn

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by JF Lux » Mon Sep 19, 2016 10:42 pm

I once bought a French registered car that was in the UK and got it over. I can't remember all the finer details but I had to make sure all the paperwork was in place, originals etc.But once it was here I got a company that did this sort of thing to handle the local control and re-registration. Was quite painless really.

If I read your post correctly, then this is a UK vehicle and registered on a UK plate? Might want to check what the vehicle tax situation is as it could be untaxed for UK roads if out of the country for so long - but that might be nothing more than taking ownership and paying the tax.


Member of Club ex-ex-D3...
Member of Club ex-D4
Member of Club D8 (well it is a 5 for the road and a 3 for off)
Member of club Much Brightness...
Member of a club...in another country. Why ? my wife asks...
Member of Club "I don't want to hear about caravans..."
Winner of Club Rear of the Year 2011

User avatar
Stu
Vice Chairman
Posts: 20241
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:00 am
Winner: Subject of Photo of the Year 2012
Most Stupid Fall of the year - so far. 2013
Avatar of the Year 2014
Author the Funniest Thread of the Year 2014
Car Details: D3 HSE
Member Since: 07 Feb 2010
Contact:

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by Stu » Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:02 am

Kingmav66 wrote:You can fly Heathrow/Gatwick to Helsinki. What is it that's so special?
The price?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


As featured in LRO and BBC Radio 2!

"It's not a gazebo it's an event shelter"

User avatar
mzplcg
Forum Contributor
Posts: 2738
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:10 pm
Car Details: BMW 540ix MSport
Location: Near Tamworth

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by mzplcg » Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:08 am

I've done Helsinki form both Birmingham and Manchester. Both were less than 200 quid return. Just avoid the super cheap one which has a stop in Frankfurt - takes forever.

EDIT. Just seen, you want to drive it back? :shock: Depending on which way you go (Denmark or Poland) that's the thick end of 1600 miles. I've driven to Copenhagen before and vowed never to do it again. That was 900.


Club FFRR


Basic Machine Polishing guide here
http://www.disco3club.co.uk/gallery/alb ... _Guide.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
Stu
Vice Chairman
Posts: 20241
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:00 am
Winner: Subject of Photo of the Year 2012
Most Stupid Fall of the year - so far. 2013
Avatar of the Year 2014
Author the Funniest Thread of the Year 2014
Car Details: D3 HSE
Member Since: 07 Feb 2010
Contact:

Re: Buying A Car From Europe

Post by Stu » Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:17 am

1600 miles - no problem! Sounds like a great trip. If you don't do it you'll be paying someone else to. Actually I could do it!

I've bought unseen before. In fact in the U.K. its no bad thing as you get protection from the distance selling law so overall you get more protection. I found a few issues and the company bought it from paid the main dealer to sort them. I don't think this applies with Finland though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


As featured in LRO and BBC Radio 2!

"It's not a gazebo it's an event shelter"

Post Reply