Advice on classic merc wanted

denzil.huckle

Hi, I'm new to boards and am thinking about buying a classic Merc (must be my mid life crisis!). I want to get classic car insurance but am told the car must be 30 years old. Also does a left hand drive cost more to insure?
I have seen some interesting models on www.classiccarsales.ie - a red coupe 230e.The car is in London so are the import duties expensive? There are also a couple of left hand drive Mercs on the same Website over 30 years old.
Would one of these be a better bet as they are in Dublin.
I would really appreciate some advice as i am new to this game.

Dades

denzil.huckle wrote:

Hi, I'm new to boards and am thinking about buying a classic Merc (must be my mid life crisis!). I want to get classic car insurance but am told the car must be 30 years old. Also does a left hand drive cost more to insure?
I have seen some interesting models on www.classiccarsales.ie - a red coupe 230e.The car is in London so are the import duties expensive? There are also a couple of left hand drive Mercs on the same Website over 30 years old.
Would one of these be a better bet as they are in Dublin.
I would really appreciate some advice as i am new to this game.

Welcome denzil! (To boards as well as your mid-life crisis )

20 years is the usual age required for classic car insurance. So for example that 230E is 22 years so would qualify as long as you have a policy on a second car. Unless you have a second car (or are a named driver on a spouses policy) you can't generally get a classic policy. Obviously you can get a full policy - but not at a classic price. And I don't think left hand drive makes a difference either way with insurers, unless you're 17 or something.

BTW that website says the red Merc is in Waterford? Anyhow if you have to bring one in from the UK unless it is 30+ years you will have to pay VRT of circa 25% of the revenues price estimate - not what you paid for it (you can get an estimate before you import it). Customs duties have to be paid for all years though I think they are only a small percentage.

The real saving is in the Motor Tax (€42) and the NCT (exempt) for keeping a 30+ car in Ireland. That's a saving of about €750 a year in tax on a 2.3 litre merc.

Lastly don't let LHD put you off a car. Unless you do a lot of overtaking on national roads it is no problem whatsoever. You may even learn to prefer it like me.

Keep us informed how you go.

denzil.huckle

Many thanks for the info.

3ps

Hi,

I have a LHD merc and it's no hassle at all. I'm not overtaking in it... and if I do then it's on the dual/motorway and that's easy. The only reason you NEED RHD is if you will feel the car is not original enough for Ireland.

Check out

- www.classiccarsireland.nl
- www.lichtenberg-classics.ie

for more cars for sale

If you want to save even more on running costs you can opt for a diesel like I did. Slow, yes, but 36 mpg and will run forever.

If you want the car to be your sole car then I recommend First Ireland. They even do an unlimited mileage policy, which I took.

There are lots of people here who know more than I do but the usual advice is to buy they best you can and watch out for rust.

Dades

denzil.huckle wrote:

Many thanks for the info.

You're more than welcome.

8~)

Den, as a multiple W123 owner I'd be happy to look over a potential purchase if not too far out of my way. I can't recommend these cars highly enough.