Is it worth it to buy an Import?

[cyprys]

Hello ,
I am new to the site. So please forgive me if i am placing that post in wrong place or if the Question have appered in the past.
I have recently sold my beloved Transalp. It was time to move for something bigger as i am traveling most of the time two-up.There was no problem with TA whatsoever.never had a Problem, did whole Europe on it.Just decided to buy a bigger machine.
Please can you tell me if buying an Import is a good idea?Is there much of a hustle with it later on?how much more then German price am i going to pay?by that i mean VAT, any import taxes?
I was just checking german websites. I was just amazed how cheap you can buy a GS!
Any suggestions?thanx
cyprys

 

[Gecko]

If you buy a new motor vehicle from any other EU country you can buy it from them with zero VAT and then when you get back to the UK you have to pay UK VAT. There are no import duties to pay - that's the benefit of the EU. If you buy a used vehicle you buy it ride it back and get it registered - nowt to pay. I think there is a rule which says it must be more than 6 months old and must have a minimum mileage (not sure on that) but certainly no import duty or VAT to pay. You can order UK spec vehicles in Germany and they must supply you. Most dealers will anyway.

Make sure you get a bill of sale from the seller and if it is a used vehicle you must get a EU certificate of conformity document - without this you may have to go through the long winded type approval process to prove your vehcile is an EU model. You'll need a UK spec headlamp in your budget and maybe a MPH speedo but other than that you're done.

If you are buying in Germany there is a sale contract document used by most private sellers which is issued by the ADAC (Their RAC) and covers both parties and legitimizes the whole transaction nicely - use it .

check out www.motorscout24.com for some great used bikes. It's German but you'll figure it out.
I saw an April 2004 R1150GSA with just 5000km on the clock at a dealer in Aachen (Germany) last weekend. Asking price Euro 9950 GBP 6,750 +/- and probably you'd get it cheaper because let's face it their 1 year dealer warranty and 2 year MOT is included in that price and I doubt you'd be popping back to Aachen for a warranty claim

 

[cyprys]

Thank You very much Gecko!

that`s a lot of usefull informations!!

 

[Gecko]

If you decide to buy in Germany drop me a PM with your email address and I can send you the ADAC sale contract in German and English . You need to be a forum sponsor to be able to send a PM so best get that done first

 

[cyprys]

thanx, will do.
just a Thought, is it better to buy from a dealer or from a private person?would a german dealer manage all paper work?