How does one import a vehicle, New or used from Germany, if it is at all possible?
I do have a relative out there who is fluent as I’m sure that would help greatly.
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...from indirect experience of importing motorhomes from Germany (which is admittedly a different market), I'd suggest you test the insurance situation carefully before committing.
It can/may be difficult to obtain insurance that covers the full import journey. I think that (as registration plates are, I believe, still personal in Germany), you will have to re-register/re=plate there to drive it away which makes insurance difficult - though you may be able to get export plates with third-party only insurance in Germany - and it may be difficult to find a UK insurer who will cover on VIN number, which is all you will have until it is fully registered in the UK).
Patently, it would be easier to "trailer" a Lada back from Germany than a motorhome, so that might provide a solution.
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I am intrigued as t why anyone would want to import a Lada.
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Maybe they are like Skoda, they have improved slightly over the decades.
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Now majority owned by Renault/Nissan:
www.lada.ru/en/
The 4*4 looks like it's derived from the Niva Cossack which, IIRC, had a reasonable reputation as a cheap and capable substitute for albeit better specced metal from European or Japanese companies.
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>> Maybe they are like Skoda, they have improved slightly over the decades.>>
Skodas have more than improved slightly over the decades....:-) :-)
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Hi CG. I’ve been waiting for this question.
I want a cheap, reliable hack for dog transportation and for sporting purposes. A good friend has just paid out 7k on a swb shogun. 140k up and it looks like a dog. Another bought a 12 plate L200 for 12k and it’s rusting fair. There doesn’t appear to be anything out there to buy that is any good for 2-6k. The Lada is excellent off road, is permanent 4x4 and has a diff lock. More importantly it’s simple tech and that to me is the selling point. It will only cover three thousand miles annually at the most.
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Is an old Subaru Outback, 2.5 petrol with manual box, not up to the job? Well within budget I’d have thought.
I had a succession of Legacy estates, bought off friends and relatives. Never a moments problem with any of them, and although not used off road, were driven very hard and often fully loaded with my business goods.
Last edited by: legacylad on Sun 29 Jul 18 at 09:25
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I would have said there's quite a lot in the 2-6k bracket. What about a rav4 or cr-v, santa fe or a freelander. That can't all be rubbish.
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>> I would have said there's quite a lot in the 2-6k bracket. What about a
>> rav4 or cr-v, santa fe or a freelander. That can't all be rubbish.
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Freelander no chance. We’ve talk that carp a few weeks ago.
The others no low range box and poor ground clearance.
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The others no low range box and poor ground clearance.
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Ah right, I think though if you need something with more serious performance off road I'm not sure that 6k is enough?
How much are lada nivas in germany?
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>> How much are lada nivas in germany?
Unknown at this stage. I might buy used or maybe new. Sometimes I feel a bit fed up running old carp.
Last edited by: VxFan on Sun 29 Jul 18 at 20:01
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>> Unknown at this stage. I might buy used or maybe new. Sometimes I feel a
>> bit fed up running old carp.
New:
tinyurl.com/newgermanlada
Used:
tinyurl.com/usedgermanlada
(Buy one of the ones with a snowplough ;-) )
Last edited by: VxFan on Sun 29 Jul 18 at 20:01
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Bored, Dave?
I'm normally quite relaxed at moderation (and still am really), but trimming 7 words from a quoted passage that are germane to the context of my reply seems a bit OTT (or maybe OCD ;-) )
Hey ho.
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You need to be aware that imported vehicles must have a speedometer which shows miles per hour, which may make it prohibitively expensive. Some friends of hours wanted to take their 15-month old Honda CR-V back to the UK, but they couldn't find a dealer prepared to undertake the work, or supply the required part - a new speedo could only be ordered by specifying the chassis number, and that would just have resulted in a KPH speedo being delivered to match the chassis number.......in addition, the electronics of modern cars are so integrated that the dealers could not be confident that the car would ever function properly again.
The insurance aspect is no problem, you can get a package which includes number plates, road tax and green card insurance in Germany, valid for 10 days. It was €125 when we did it 8 years ago.
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>>You need to be aware that imported vehicles must have a speedometer which shows miles per hour
Are you sure? I've seen several imported motorbikes with KPH speedo's. I thought it was only necessary to have an accurate speedo.
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Yes, 100%. Perhaps the rules have changed, but as of 15-18 months ago which is my latest knowledge, speedos MUST be calibrated in mph
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....the speedo is fairly easy if these people have the part for your vehicle:
www.lockwoodinternational.co.uk/
Headlights are the other change that needs to be made. (oddly, beam masking of LHD headlights will get you through an MOT, but NOT the import process).
I'll bow to your experience on insurance, though I am reporting documented recent experience as regards motorhomes (third-party only) and various Catch 22 type provisions once it has landed in the UK.
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There will be experience of importing them. No doubt there's a Lada forum as well. Consider looking for one in Ireland - may take some of the pain out of importing as lights etc will have been sorted for RHD.
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Plenty still advertised, for example:
www.newsnow.co.uk/classifieds/cars-vans-for-sale/lada-niva
The Niva/Cossack was very popular at one time - it was excellent value for money despite being pretty basic when originally available.
The Riva saloon too may have been a Fiat 124 based design, but the steel panels were thicker that European cars and it had heavy duty suspension and battery to get it through tough Russian conditions.
Had a friend, now sadly deceased, who had at least two Rivas in the 1990s and travelled all over the UK in them - very rarely had any problems. The interiors and plastics were a bit crude, despite being improved on arrival at Immington, but they cost so little most people didn't seem to mind.
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Would a Suzuki Jimny 4x4 be too small? Loads of them about.
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Hi Old Navy. I’ve had one and they are simply the best, but the dog cage I want to use for 2 Labradors doesn’t fit. I used the previous Jimny for the dogs with seats down and just a dust sheet in there. When I came to sell it the valeter had to strip the seats out etc to have a hope of cleaning it. Having said all of that I may have to go down that route. The auto I had was so juicy.
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Pig!
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The MOT History doesn't reveal a loved car, does it?
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Non-turbo manual Subaru Foresters have low range gears.
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201807268821235 ~£1.5k
MOT history isn't too suspect.
Last edited by: Lygonos on Sun 29 Jul 18 at 21:59
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>> The MOT History doesn't reveal a loved car, does it?
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No, but it gives an insight as to just how the vehicle has been ignored.
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Kia Sorrento no good? Has low range and cheap.
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My local ‘man’ frowned when I mentioned them. The usual stuff though that IF you get a good un fine, but.......
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What did he say when you mentioned you were considering a Lada?
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Perfect he said, just perfect. :-)
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Wheels sorted. 2006 Jimny. 59k. 1 owner. Leather, Air. They’re making silly money atm so was chuffed to shake hands at less than 4K.
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Lada - Importing - sooty123
