Exporting car to Germany
 

Hello all,

I'm supposed to be moving to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in about 6 weeks, and I'm planning on taking my car (Hyundai Getz, 04) with me. I've tried driving it on the continent before, and I'm quite happy (so far at least) with the right-hand drive issue. But would anybody be able to confirm what modifications would be needed to get it through the TUV test, and registered in Germany? I'm currently thinking just new headlights and a fog light on the left hand side? Or could I just get away with headlamp converters? Anything else?

Any information on the costs involved in the re-registration etc would also be much appreciated!

Cheers v. much in advance for any help,

Tom

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

You can use it for a year with UK plates (providing it is taxed and tested), I'd go down that route first (In fact I have), a lot of things can change in a year...

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

Hi Kix, thanks for the advice. How did you insure your car though? My insurance will only cover me for 3 months abroad, and from what I've read on forums this seems to be fairly standard. Will German insurers cover a UK reg. vehicle?

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

I have a mate of mine who has a car with UK plates. He used to have to take it back to the UK every so often, not too sure if that is still the case, but other than that he had no issues. I don't know how good your German is but here is a link with tips on how to get your car through:

http://www.fragsven.net/index.php/re...tuev-zu-kommen

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

You can get full 365 days cover from a specialist insurer in Cardiff - they do quotes on-line, not much difference to the usual suspects - gocompare etc. Do a google search.

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

You can only use your car on UK plates for a year as long as you are not registered in Germany as Hauptwohnsitz (main residence) or if the car is registered to another party, ie UK ltd business.

If you do register as main residence (a legal requirement if you are there more than 183 days in a year) then you will need to "import" the car and get it checked for TUV.

To be honest if finances allow, you would be better off selling the car in the UK and buying a LHD in Germany.

regards

John

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

Thanks for the replies guys. It turns out that finances are a bit tight, and I would prefer to save a bit of money by keeping the current car (if indeed that does turn out to save money...). I will have to register as main residence in Germany for my job etc, almost straightaway. Does this mean that driving my car on UK plates immediately becomes invalid, or do I still have a bit of leeway to play with? Otherwise it's going to be mighty tricky!

Cheers,

Tom

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

Normally if you move to many countries in the EU you have to start the process of matriculation as soon as you move there with intent to reside. In Spain for instance you have up to 6 months.

During the time the car is on UK plates it MUST be legal in the country of registration, i.e. it must have a valid MOT and some say you should also have a tax disc. UK insurers will only allow you usually up to 90 days out of the country on holiday. If they know you have moved abroad to reside then they will not normally cover you at all. In that caswe you will need to find a German Insurer who will insure a UK plated car.

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

I hear what you're saying but my car is 4x the price here in Germany (for a LHD), than my rhd was in the UK!

Re: Exporting car to Germany
 

Yes, same in Spain. Dont know if it is the same in Germany, but if you reside in Spain and drive a UK plated car then if you are stopped you end up having your car taken away from you by the Police, as you cant drive a UK plated car as a Spanish resident .... wouldnt be too good if that happened to you in Germany, then the original cost is immaterial