Moving to Germany

[b1k3b0y]

Hi,

I am moving to Germany for a minimum of a couple of years. Does anyone have experience of what I will need to do regarding my 1150 GSA?

Thanks

 

[darrenptalbot]

Many years since I did it, with a sports bike.

Depends whether you are moving with military, or as a civilian.

BFG test (Uk forces MOT) was passed fine with uk headlights etc.

I believe that the TUV test (german civilian mot) may require you to have German headlights, if there is a difference on the 1150?

 

[Bryn]

If you need to change the headlight just twist it .... instructions on here somewhere ( Or I'll do you a swap...mine came with a Euro headlight )

Germany part of the EU so nothing stopping you taking it over and using it.... if its the same as rules over here you'll need to insure it in Germany if your permanent address is in Germany...

 

[bowser]

If you need to change the headlight just twist it .... instructions on here somewhere ( Or I'll do you a swap...mine came with a Euro headlight )

Germany part of the EU so nothing stopping you taking it over and using it.... if its the same as rules over here you'll need to insure it in Germany if your permanent address is in Germany...

not quite if its a civilian import the vehicle has to be re-registered in Germany, it will need a TUV document issuing for it, and they will probably want evidence that any aftermarket parts fitted conform to TUV, and they will be added onto the TUV document, dont forget that there are rules in Germany as to what exhusts and tyres may be fitted to what vehicles dont think you can have different makes front and rear and certainly only TUV approved for fitment to that particular vehicle are allowed.
BFG is total different you dont need to have any TUV at all, just needs a BFG test pass then issue of the BFG log book. I would suggest that you dont de register here just sorn in the uk as it make coming back a whole lot easier.

 

[ricardo]

If you're taking it for less than six months you're fine. Any longer and it'll need Tuv modifications and registering.

 

[darrenptalbot]

I would suggest that you dont de register here just sorn in the uk as it make coming back a whole lot easier.

+1

 

[bmwrover]

Drive or trailer it to Germany.
Ride around on UK plates and insurance for the time being.
No need for any tax or custom payments, its Euroland.
Then make an appointment with your local TUV engineer (the boss of that TUV outlet)
Dont go to the other MoT guys like DEKRA, etc. as they are not allowed to issue the relevant paperwork.
If the TUV guy is nice and knowlegeble (there are some ;-) then he will see that it is a BMW and he will look up the relevant bike data from his computer. Checks the data against your bike, finds it road legal and issues you a German TUV sheet with which you can visit the city hall and register your bike on German plates. For doing so, you will need to have a German insurance already.
Two years later you have to repeat the TUV visit (but then its more like an easy MoT test)

If the TUV guy is a bit akward he wants to see the CoC of the bike. Send VIN to BMW and tell them that you need the CoC because you move to Germany and they usually send it to you FOC and quick. Rest as above.

Above is so easy and definately worth doing.
Welcome

 

[les049]

Are'nt they banned over there ?

Unfortunately you will have to leave your GSA within the confines of the UK, i know bummer isnt it but i would be prepared to look after it for you and only put minimum miles on it until you return LoL.

Are you posted with the Military or is it a civvy job, either way i hope you are going to somewhere nice. I spent many years in Hohne / Dortmund etc, enjoy.

 

[Green Boy]

I appreciate it's a couple of years off but if you bring the bike back to the UK and want to re-register it onto UK plates, it's not difficult but isn't necessarily as straight forward as you may think even though it was once a UK bike.

I'm currently doing the same thing, although from Switzerland which is a little different.

From my recent experience, the DVLA and HMRC are very helpful which surprised me and the former will send you a pack of docs by post for you to complete and send back. With the latter, it's best to speak to one of their technical officers to confirm exactly which form you need to fill in.

A top tip again from experience is to keep any UK paperwork (service sheets, MOTs etc) with you old address on it because if you do bring it back to UK, you'll need to prove to HMRC that you bought it here.

Have a good one.

 

[Grey Beard]

If you have any after market stuff on the bike, you will probably need to make sure it is TÜV approved with some sort of 'E' number.

After market Xenons and LEDs will probably fail unless you have bought from BMW, Wunderlich, Touratech, etc, as opposed to eBay.

I just ordered a screen and that even has to have TÜV approval!

(These requirements are enforced by TÜV and local plod).

Grey Beard

 

[Neil W]

It must be reasonable easy and fairly cheap as German dealers have been buying up loads of s/hand stock from M &S on Westgate Road and recently even Coopers BMW and are shipping them back for resale at a profit.

Spoke to one dealer with 5 bikes on his trailer who stated that he changed lights and clocks and that was basically it to get through the TUV as long as the bike was standard or with TUV approved mods ie tyres etc

 

[b1k3b0y]

Thanks guys. I think I will go down the SORN route for the UK after 6 months of being out there.

Luckily, the bike is completely standards, so no worries on that parts

 

[b1k3b0y]

Unfortunately you will have to leave your GSA within the confines of the UK, i know bummer isnt it but i would be prepared to look after it for you and only put minimum miles on it until you return LoL.

Are you posted with the Military or is it a civvy job, either way i hope you are going to somewhere nice. I spent many years in Hohne / Dortmund etc, enjoy.

Thanks for the offer. Sadly, I must decline it