Re: Car Matriculation
 

Always one bright spark isn't there? :lol:

Re: Car Matriculation
 

This has turned into a shocking thread!:p

Re: Car Matriculation
 

Just another thing to add to the mix, went to see a LHD car here today, not going for it as my mechanic said not worth the money...and that he can convert my RHD car to LHD fairly easily and not too expensively. I could then choose to sell it in a years time and make a huge profit, providing I don't pay tax on bringing it in.

Not that I would sell it, but check whether your rhd cars can be converted as they would then be worth a lot more here than they are in the UK even if you do have to pay tax.

G

Re: Car Matriculation
 

any idea of what not to expensive is, as we have decided to bring our espace, would be worth thinking about

Re: Car Matriculation
 

Its worth considering.... in my opinion on an older car (a sot after classic for sure) but I reckon a modern car could get a bit scary... any car will need a LHD dashboard, steering rack & pedal box with clutch,throttle cables(some may be interchangeable) but modern cars are so complex and the worry of essential electrical components not linking up to the cars wireing harness would be major squeeky bum moments not to mention the complex of air bags,climate control,cruise control etc adding on top, head lights & maybe real lights, window/mirror switches(if on door panel) & labour costs we are well into four figures!:ohmy:

e.g On our MK5 golf the pollen fliter, car heating/air con system on the firewall/bulkhead is on the opposite side from a RHD.... thats pretty major to swap I would say & expensive to swap(also the drainage for the scuttle panel is opposite)

Unless you have a very simple or older car... I would not risk it! Besides, by the time you pay I.A if required... would it really be such a big saving?!:unsure:

Re: Car Matriculation
 

Well, the parts in Portugal are expensive, but the work wouldn't be (under 1k through a mate) so we were advised to try and track down the parts in the UK or go to scrap yards here and we're told we'd need a complete dashboard (dash with glove boxes and other compartments) but that they would use our speedo, pedals and steering wheel. The only other bit is the steering box. (I think it sounds all too easy?)

I had no idea Galaxy's could be converted so best check with Renault, but their parts are fairly easily located here.

Our Galaxy in the UK is worth £7.5k max, here it would be worth over €20k with a LHD steering wheel, so if we can matriculate without tax it's well worth it.

G

Re: Car Matriculation
 

LOL re squeaky bum moments...I'd presume the new dash comes fitted with the airbags? Galaxy has all window and mirror switches on the door handles, we already bought LHD headlights off Ebay for £140. But yes I'm sure there's a lot more to it...have been told though that my car is set up for either way as I presumed there'd be no space in the engine compartment for moving things over. :confused::eek:

Re: Car Matriculation
 

Just to add I'm not sure I'd actually do it as I think a Galaxy has good enough all round vision for it to be safe RHD, just a possible option for others and as you said great for older cars, especially MGs and the like.

G

Re: Car Matriculation
 

I am contemplating a relocate to Madeira.:D
I know they are more expensive but if I buy a portuguese-registered vehicle on the mainland, can anyone throw any light on how much red-tape I will encounter transporting the car to the island? Are all the taxes paid for?

Ray

Re: Car Matriculation
 

Although the nutter who is the president of Madiera (Jardineiro?!) would like to think its an independant state/country... Madeira is no different from the rest of Portugal so all taxes are already paid!

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That's why we bought the espace, you have good vision and higher to see ahead:thumbsup:

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:D:D
Absolutely correct there GED!
Last year he made a public speech wherein he said that he wasn't going to have anymore "chinkies" or "blacks" immigrating to the island! (Correct translations)

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I seen him the other week there on the news say that the only person who was above him was God!!:rolleyes: The man is a total arse but the people of Maderia seem to love him?! Though I think you rather got to love him or hate him.... he certainly calls a spade a spade....

on the jornalists... "I call them bastards so I dont have to use the phrase filhos de putas" (0.45)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hapaeeOxmpY

Re: Car Matriculation
 

ChrisWoods....just need to ask one thing.

All paperwork given to customs but I've arrived home and they've given me back my Modelo 9 IMTT form and the IMTT certificate which is issued when you have the MOT done.

Is this normal? Shouldn't they have these forms or do I keep them and when they hopefully give me the go ahead I take these to IMTT to get new plates?

Nervous they've given me something back they shouldn't have done :unsure: I was a nervous wreck in the office must have looked dodgy whilst trying to explain the 3 different addresses I had...

What they told me is they are trying to catch out those who have properties in both countries that buy a car in the UK specifically to bring over here to avoid paying the high prices here....and keep the UK address going until they qualify before making the full move over. If you have had your car for 3 or 4 years then I imagine you stand a much higher chance of them believing it's a true residential transfer rather than those that have had it just for those 12 months. I've only had mine 18 months so :blink: but I explained the reason I had to buy it 18 months ago was having a surprise 3rd child that I hadn't expected which meant we had to upscale the car. I would advise if anyone is intending moving here and bringing a car bring it only if you've had it a good while and stay as long as you can in the UK as I was asked for bills up to the date I declared residency here, 29th Sept, which I didn't have as I'd moved out of rented accomodation on the 31st August and couldn't account for September.

Mr & Mrs T, how right this is I don't know but they have classified my Galaxy not as a normal car they've put it through as a class 4b which supposedly is a 7 seater over 2500kgs which is not 4 x 4, thus resulting in a 50% reduction in taxes if they do decide to charge, takes mine down to €5,725 instead of €11k. I've just looked again at my documents and I'm pretty sure my car isn't over 2500kgs but hey that's fine with me.

Now I'm just keeping everything crossed :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed:

If I am successful I shall collate a step by step guide of everything I did and I have the list of requirements from customs should anyone want to see it before starting the process, I will scan it in and can email out. I was advised by the British Consulate to seek advice from an agent before I swore on oath that I was telling 100% truth and nothing but the truth (scary process! :eek:) which I didn't do so here's hoping.....(meaning I didn't consult an agent but I did tell the truth! LOL)

Re: Car Matriculation
 

Interesting thread. My wife, son and I are arriving with on one way ticket on April 5th. Last July I bought a New German import LHD Land Rover at a 40% discount, you do occassionally find these trade ads in the motoring section of the Sunday Times. After checking with a friend who works with a portuguese finance company last week we also bought a new RHD Fiat 500. If we matriculate both cars in July/August The Land Rover will be free of tax and the Fiat is so eco friendly that the charge will be approx €450.00.

I was advised to keep electric/gas/water bills in my name until after matriculation. This will be easy as my daughter is taking over our present home for a minimum of two years.

I just hope that the advice we received is accurate.