Allotments 4 All

Seriously thinking of bringing my car to the UK instead of selling it here and buying another one in the UK. (Better the devil you know). Has anyone done this or does anyone know the procedure and cost?
It's left hand drive but that's never bothered me in the past. Will that affect insurance rates?
How long can I keep a Belgian car in the UK before having to re-register?
Selling this one and buying in the UK means loosing out financially on the salling and the buying. Bit sill to do that when my car is is in good nick. (4 year old 1.7 turbo diesel hatchback).
Be glad of any info.
Still got a pot on my broken ankle and heading for the hospital today. I'm told I'll need an even more robust pot....I'm hoping not!

I am pretty sure the insurance will be more - but I'm no expert.
Hope the ankle fixes soon and you don't have to haev a heavier cast esp if the weather remains hot.

as far as i know - the insurance might well be the same as some insurers dont care if it's left or right hand drive
you should reregister within 6 months - probably sooner as you wont have a blgian address anymore to insure your car to?

DVLA wants 'certificate of conformity' - means you need a speedo that displays miles, and have your headlamps changed to point the other way. the speedo did it for me - FIAt could not fix this so i ended up selling my car in germany after all! check with your manufacturer's headoffice in the Uk - they should issue the certificate of conformity as far as i know.

good luck. i didnt have any :(

check www.dvla.gov.uk

Thanks Svea, I was trying to find info on headlamps. I presume it means new ones or can they be adjusted?
Hadn't figured on the speedo.....!
All this is adding to the cost.....I might consider selling here after all.

yes i think they would be new headlamp sets, ken
plus the speedo - unless your already shows both miles and kmh?

Hi Ken,

It happened 20+ yrs ago, but was deffo worth bringing back our car (Opel Rekord, bought in Germany & used in Italy for 3 years) back to the UK. Headlamps: my recollection is that the bulbs needed changing - something to do with yellow/white difference?) and the angle adjusted, but we didn't have any major expense of a new unit. Guess the speedo conformed, cos can only remember the lights issue as one that needed work - and it wasn't expensive. Insurance was no problem & in fact we changed insurers from Commercial Union who insured us in Italy and the cost was greatly reduced. What else...............oh yes! Sold it at a magnificent profit (it was a company car & therefore cost us nothing) after 4yrs to peeps who were relocating to Germany :P...  - cheers! Lishka

When I came to the UK from Belgium - I could not keep the Volvo and had to purchase an English registered car.
??? ::)

Lots of new regulations have been introduced over the last few years. I've decided to cut the hassle and sell it here. Besides, I'm thinking of completing my plumbing training when I get back so a small van or something like a Citroen Belinger might be more appropriate.

Just got details about re-regestering an imported car.
My advice to anyone thinking of it is don't bother. You wouldn't believe the hassle. 5 pages of what and how to do it. Restriction on driving until all doc's are proved, etc, etc....and thats only the paper work. There is also the cost of the paper work and customs & Excise bumf and physical conversion of a vehicle to make it 'legal'.
I'm selling here in Belgium!