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Your Questions
Answered
Please read this disclaimer
before reading or acting upon the information on this web site.
How much can I save in Europe?
Savings vary from model
to model so anything from 15% to 30% can be saved in comparison to the same
model bought in the UK. In real terms this could mean saving £3,000 up
to £12,000 or more. Have a look at some example
cost savings.
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Virtually all models available
in the UK can be bought abroad including the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and
Z3 Coupe and Roadster.
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Are they genuine UK Right Hand Drive Models?
Yes. If you ask for a UK
model then it will be supplied with full UK specifications including right hand
drive, UK headlights, UK wipers, and MPH on the dash. These are not dealer
modifications. All UK-spec models are constructed to UK specifications in the
BMW factory.
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Aren't they classed as "grey" imports?
No. UK-spec BMWs imported
from Europe are not "grey" imports. BMW will honour the car's warrantee.
Generally speaking, cars imported from outside of Europe are usually classed
as grey imports.
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Are specifications the same as BMWs purchased in the UK?
Generally, yes, but there
may be some minor differences from model to model. Any extras you wouldn't get
with a car purchased in the UK are an added bonus, but anything excluded as
standard from your European purchase can be added as an extra. Extras are 15%
to 40% cheaper than those bought in the UK, such as leather or air conditioning.
Please note that some models do not include a radio/cassette or CD player as
standard, so enquire before ordering.
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Importing is a lot easier than you think and can be done in a day. The BMW dealer will arrange transit plates and temporary insurance to cover your journey home. There is no need to declare the car at customs, drive straight on through (providing you don't have anything to declare other than your new car!).
When you are back in the
UK you will need to complete a Customs & Excise VAT 413A Form (entitled
NEW MEANS OF TRANSPORT - NOTIFICATION VIA DVLA OF ACQUISITION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
BY NON VAT REGISTERED PERSON) within 7 days so they can invoice you for VAT.
You can register the car as new at your nearest Vehicle Registration Office
(VRO) which involves completing a First Registration form and paying a £25
fee plus road tax. Recently things have been made a tiny bit easier and your
local VRO can supply you with the VAT form. Contact your VRO or DVLA and ask
them for the forms needed to register and declare a personal import.
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What are the hidden costs of importing a car?
Additional costs vary according
to how you decide to import your car. Typical costs include ferry tickets, petrol,
transit plates and insurance which could amount to £450-£500. Once
in the UK, First Registration costs £25 and you must also buy a road tax
disc. New number plates can be bought for about £15 for a set.
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Nothing. You don't pay
us a penny. All financial transactions are between you and the authorised BMW
dealer. There is no middleman or agency adding to the cost or handling your
money. You can deal with confidence directly with an authorised BMW dealer.
We will provide you with the information you need to buy your new car and import
it into the UK. Of course we will also answer any questions you may have if
they are not already answered on this page.
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What if I don't want to travel abroad to collect my new BMW?
We can collect the car
for you and deliver it to your home in the UK. We use professional drivers to
help ensure your car arrives safely. Naturally we will have to charge for the
delivery service to cover our time and expenses and there will be at least 100
miles on the clock when you take delivery (depending where you are in the UK).
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Ttypically 10% to 20% of
the car's total value. We do not hold your deposit, you pay it directly to the
official BMW dealer in Europe.
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Can you arrange finance on a new car?
No, we do not play a part
in the financial purchase of your new car. The BMW dealer must be paid in full
before the car can be driven away. If you would like financing then it must
be arranged privately with your bank or building society.
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Bearing in mind the savings
you will be making, European BMWs only come with a 1 year warrantee. When you
have imported your car you can arrange for an extended warrantee if you so wish.
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Can I extend the standard 1 year warranty?
Yes, either from BMW UK
or a 3rd party company, either can offer an extra 1 or 2 years warranty. From
experiance, BMW will charge more for an extended warranty than a 3rd party company
such as Motor Warranty Direct. Motor Warranty Direct have different levels of
policies, the best one will cover all electrical and mechanical parts, plus
wear and tear to an extent. The good news is that they will allow your local
BMW dealer to carry out the work so you don't have to worry about dodgy garages.
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What if something goes wrong with my new BMW?
BMW will honour your 1
year warrantee in the UK providing the fault is covered by their terms and conditions.
UK dealers are used to servicing imports now and are happy to do so. It's also
in their interest to look after you because they will be counting on your custom
for your annual service and out-of-warranty repairs.
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Can I buy second hand cars abroad?
Yes, but only left hand
drive models. If you want a right hand drive used car then you must buy from
the UK. However, some used cars in the UK are more expensive than a brand new
right hand drive model brought from abroad!
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Do you do any other makes of car, like VW, Mazda or Ford?
Yes, we can recommend a
Mazda dealer who provides substantial savings over UK prices. Other than BMW
and Mazda we have no further contacts with other dealers. However, the information
we supply on this web site is pretty much generic regardless of the make or
model. However, if you import from outside of Europe or the car is not brand
new then different import procedures will apply.
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Does it take longer to order from Europe and do manufacturers make things difficult?
Usually it does take a
little for your new car to be delivered from the factory to the dealer in Europe.
While I can provide no firm proof that manufacturers make it difficult to buy
from abroad by making British customers wait longer, the extended waiting times
does speak for itself. You should expect to wait anything from 2 to 6 months
between ordering your new car and it being ready for collection. If you are
in no hurry then this won't be a problem for you. Other than that, manufactuerers
aren't allowed to make things difficult for you by law. WV and Chrysler have
tried but were fined millions of Pounds by the EU. BMW UK fully respect and
honour the guarantee you receive on your new car and you should not have any
difficulties in getting your car repaired or serviced in the UK.
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I have a question that isn't answered here.
You can email
us questions and we will reply personally.
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