BackToTheBlighty Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 I recently imported a car from Australia to the UK and it has been an interesting experience so I wanted to give me 2 cents (which I wish I got before I imported mine): Insurance: this was my biggest problem. I have a car where the exact model doesn't exist in the UK, so UK insurance websites (ie. Admiral, Aviva, Churchill, moneysupermarket, comparethemarket etc), can't find the same model so they can't quote you for insurance. Please check this before even considering importing your car! I have a 2.0L auto petrol car, the UK only has a 1.6L petrol and 2.2L diesel for my make and model. Therefore, everyone I called said sorry, if the exact model doesn't exist here we can't insure it (I called about 20 places, alot also said they don't insure imported cars either). I rang about 10 specialist imported car brokers and only one of these insurance brokers (Adrian Flux) could quote me for insurance and it was 18% of the market value of the car. However, if they didn't quote me I was totally stuffed. If you can't insure your car, then it is pretty much worthless. You either try to sell it for next to nothing locally or ship it back to sell so you get something for it at least. Odometer Change: when you change this you will have a km odometer reading and a miles reading on a replacement odometer (most replacements will be a second hand odometer). Make sure you get a letter from whoever changes it over stating the two amounts if you sell the car later on. Costs: $7k aud or 4k gbp ($2.9k aud for the roll on roll off paid in Oz + a further 1.7k gbp paid to a UK company for pick up, compliance, rego, mot etc (not including comprehensive insurance of course)). Time: 6 months for door to door. I dropped the car off at the port in Wollongong and 6 months later picked up my car. At the port you have to do a training course on a computer which is a bit of a pain, then put up with the security officers there talking absolute rubbish to each other whilst waiting. Basically, you drive your car in and leave it just behind the gate in the parking lot and for that you have to do a 40 minute induction course first whilst listening to them having farting competitions. Buying Cars In London: cars are cheap in the UK, have a look for yourself, try www.cargiant.co.uk and look up a second hand BMW 3 series and equate it to Australian dollars, very reasonable. Cars are like consumables in the UK, unless your car in Australia is either an antique or is worth $50k + (and the same exact model exists here) I wouldn't bother importing it. The reason I imported mine was that it was fairly new and we paid $35k new for it, my wife was very attached to it and we didn't want to lose alot of money selling it and then buying again here. However, it took 6 months to ship (including compliance and rego), it cost $7k aud in total and the insurance cost a few thousand pounds a year so it wasn't worth it financially due to insurance. Cheers 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unzippy Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 What was the training/induction course for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s713 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 So he could join in the farting competition . Sorry. That bid made me howl btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackToTheBlighty Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 (edited) Literally so you can drive your car through the gate where the guards sit. I drove it through the gate and parked in on the left next to the fence 20m down the road. Also, don't forget to take off your e-toll and get your plates off the car so you can get some money back on your rego and third party. Edited January 12, 2019 by BackToTheBlighty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackToTheBlighty Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 Those guards were right idiots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 On 23/12/2018 at 14:00, BackToTheBlighty said: I recently imported a car from Australia to the UK and it has been an interesting experience so I wanted to give me 2 cents (which I wish I got before I imported mine): Insurance: this was my biggest problem. I have a car where the exact model doesn't exist in the UK, so UK insurance websites (ie. Admiral, Aviva, Churchill, moneysupermarket, comparethemarket etc), can't find the same model so they can't quote you for insurance. Please check this before even considering importing your car! I have a 2.0L auto petrol car, the UK only has a 1.6L petrol and 2.2L diesel for my make and model. Therefore, everyone I called said sorry, if the exact model doesn't exist here we can't insure it (I called about 20 places, alot also said they don't insure imported cars either). I rang about 10 specialist imported car brokers and only one of these insurance brokers (Adrian Flux) could quote me for insurance and it was 18% of the market value of the car. However, if they didn't quote me I was totally stuffed. If you can't insure your car, then it is pretty much worthless. You either try to sell it for next to nothing locally or ship it back to sell so you get something for it at least. Odometer Change: when you change this you will have a km odometer reading and a miles reading on a replacement odometer (most replacements will be a second hand odometer). Make sure you get a letter from whoever changes it over stating the two amounts if you sell the car later on. Costs: $7k aud or 4k gbp ($2.9k aud for the roll on roll off paid in Oz + a further 1.7k gbp paid to a UK company for pick up, compliance, rego, mot etc (not including comprehensive insurance of course)). Time: 6 months for door to door. I dropped the car off at the port in Wollongong and 6 months later picked up my car. At the port you have to do a training course on a computer which is a bit of a pain, then put up with the security officers there talking absolute rubbish to each other whilst waiting. Basically, you drive your car in and leave it just behind the gate in the parking lot and for that you have to do a 40 minute induction course first whilst listening to them having farting competitions. Buying Cars In London: cars are cheap in the UK, have a look for yourself, try www.cargiant.co.uk and look up a second hand BMW 3 series and equate it to Australian dollars, very reasonable. Cars are like consumables in the UK, unless your car in Australia is either an antique or is worth $50k + (and the same exact model exists here) I wouldn't bother importing it. The reason I imported mine was that it was fairly new and we paid $35k new for it, my wife was very attached to it and we didn't want to lose alot of money selling it and then buying again here. However, it took 6 months to ship (including compliance and rego), it cost $7k aud in total and the insurance cost a few thousand pounds a year so it wasn't worth it financially due to insurance. Cheers Did you ask on here first? I think most would have advised against it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackToTheBlighty Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 You are right, most said to buy in London as it is easier. I didn't know the biggest issue was insurance though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londongirl Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Thanks backtoblighty - I was thinking of taking my Toyota Kluger back to the UK - but your experience has just made my decision not to! The model doesn't exist in the UK. Thanks so much for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackToTheBlighty Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share Posted January 21, 2019 It is good you went to a few websites to check if the model exists here You could ring a couple on skype just to check for yourself like Admiral etc as a final check, a lovely SUV too the Kluger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris N Lora Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 We are returning this year to England, I am returning with our new Pajero... I have been quoted 11 k for a 45 ft container. the 11 k is to put the vehicle in our container and all associated costs .... apart from the different model name our car is exactly the same as the SG5 in the UK I have just paid 60 pounds for a new speedometer, and will have it fitted here in Australia prior to returning. there is no legal requirement to change the Km counter to a mileage counter. as per DVSA guidelines. the same car here is over 12k more expensive in the UK like for like ... ours is literally in storage waiting to be shipped with our belongings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unzippy Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Have you run any test insurance quotes? Yours will still be classed as an import in the UK despite the same model existing there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris N Lora Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 19 hours ago, unzippy said: Have you run any test insurance quotes? Yours will still be classed as an import in the UK despite the same model existing there. yes, I used my sisters address in London (we are not moving back to London though) .. the quote came in at 1300 pounds. very reasonable considering it is an import and brand new. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 £1300 a year?!!!! Jeez and I thought I was paying an excessive amount at £300 a year. Has it got a rear fog light? I know many Jap cars don't for some reason, my Mazda 6 didn't have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris N Lora Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 7 hours ago, Tricky said: £1300 a year?!!!! Jeez and I thought I was paying an excessive amount at £300 a year. Has it got a rear fog light? I know many Jap cars don't for some reason, my Mazda 6 didn't have one. I did not think that was a bad price for a new import on a London address, my sister in Kent it came in at 440. it cost me $650 to insure it here, plus CTP and Rego, not much different to UK prices to be fair. plus the car is only 2 months old and an import so these figures are cheap ... we Just need to decide where to move to in the UK we are not returning to London. I have checked the requirements,the fog light was already there, only thing I was required to do was have a new cluster fitted to show Mph/Km-h. Mitsubishi UK wanted 2 k for the cluster and 3 k to fit it ... I have had it done over here, it cost $450. saved thousands. Thankfully, the car meets the UK specs, barring the above and the tow bar, I just need to remove the ball from the bar for inspection then replace it after. and register it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMP Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 Hey, really random question. Which car did you import Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted February 28, 2022 Share Posted February 28, 2022 Good lord that sounds like a nightmare, both in terms of logistics and the financial side of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris N Lora Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 On 20/02/2022 at 11:18, SMP said: Hey, really random question. Which car did you import A mitsubishi Pajero stopped making them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris N Lora Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 On 28/02/2022 at 14:17, Pokey said: Good lord that sounds like a nightmare, both in terms of logistics and the financial side of it. Not really, its quite easy to do yourself if you do it correctly .... its cheaper to take the car back than sell it and lose funds ...actually it is still worth a lot .... it is worth 2k less than I paid for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 My advice is don't do it. It's an incredible pain in the rear trying to navigate the process in my experience. Ended up giving up on it and selling before we moved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris N Lora Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 On 07/03/2022 at 12:52, Pokey said: My advice is don't do it. It's an incredible pain in the rear trying to navigate the process in my experience. Ended up giving up on it and selling before we moved. mine was really easy too do, I contacted the DVLA, i filled out relevant paperwork gave vin number etc , got back paid 10 quid for new speedo facial i dont care it shows km .... that was it MOT, registered extended test etc . I was not leaving a 2018 mitsubishi pajero behind they stopped making them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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