Importing a New Car from Europe into the UK
While new car prices have fallen in the UK, money can still be saved by buying a car from Europe and personally importing it. Do your homework, importing a new car isn't automatically the best or cheapest way to purchase a new car. Beware of the extras, as some models do not come with the same basic features as UK models, you therefore may not be saving as much as first appears.

These are the essentials of personal importing. They don't necessarily cover all eventualities:

HM Customs
Begin by getting the official paperwork from HM Customs, the local Vehicle Licensing Office and your local Vehicle Registration Office (VRO).

European Country
Portugal and Holland have the lowest prices. The Republic of Ireland may offer you savings, although you may not find the car with the specifications you're looking for.

Motor Dealer
Play safe by using only fully authorised large dealerships. Motor manufacturers have lists of official foreign dealers and importers at their Head Offices. There will also be information in the Owners Handbook supplied with any UK cars, though this is not always up to date. If you make your purchase through a `car supermarket' you will be the second owner on the DVLA logbook.

Making Contact
Telephone and then visit. Make it clear that the car is to be to UK, right-hand-drive specification and supplied for export. You can be asked to prove you are a UK resident with a copy of your passport. Some dealers may request a letter of credit.

UK Specification
Use UK brochures to be sure of the specification. UK spec means right-hand drive, speedometer in MPH and right-hand-drive headlamps. Then you use the options list to bring the car up to UK level - specs vary considerably between countries. Date and time log all your telephone calls. Keep a note of the representatives name..

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Confirmation
Confirm the specification and delivery date in writing. Make sure any supplement for right-hand drive (if any) is included. Do not pay local taxes. Some German dealers ask for the VAT to be paid first. They will reclaim once you prove you have registered the car in the UK. This is not a legal obligation, but one in the contract between you and the dealer so you can negotiate or refuse.

Arrange the Finance
You will need a deposit and balance. Your bank can arrange a foreign currency draft ready for the day you collect.

Pay the deposit
20% is the average deposit. This can be paid using a credit card This provides some recourse if the car isn't delivered. Always confirm the details, especially deposit paid, in writing.

Wait
Be patient waiting for your car. It can take up to 9 months. Be wary of shifting delivery times and do not accept last minute price changes.

Transit Plates
For a small charge, the dealer will arrange transit or temporary export plates for the drive home. As the time nears, make sure that a `Certificate of Conformity' has been organised. This will be needed when you register it in the UK as it proves the car meets European safety standards.

Arrange Insurance
You can use your own insurer or ask the dealer to arrange the insurance. Be prepared to shop around - many will not give cover on only a chassis number. Be careful about `parallel and grey imports'.

A parallel import is a vehicle that's available in the UK already, but is imported because it's hard to get here or more expensive. A grey import is a model that isn't available in this country and is imported because the official importers don't. Because the components many not be made to British specifications, check the cost of insurance

Collect the car
Keep all travel receipts and fill up with fuel to prove you have driven the car abroad.

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Paying the VAT
You no longer need to contact the Customs & Excise when you arrive. Instead you have 7 days to go to your VRO with all the documentation. They will forward the paperwork to the Customs office. The VAT will be worked out at 17.5% using your invoice. You will have 30 days to pay.

Get Number Plates and a Tax Disc
Go to your local Vehicle Registration Office with all your customs, sales and registration documents. Fill in Form V55/5 to first register the car and pay the £25 fee. Get the tax disc, buy some registration plates and away you go.

Warranties
All EC made cars come with a one-year pan-European warranty valid in all states. The same car may have three-year cover in the UK but it's two years of extra cover bought by the UK supplier. You can still buy that extra cover from them or from independents.

Servicing
There is no good reason why your local dealer can't service the car.

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