Importing a left hand drve commercial from the UK

ciaranmul · 20-07-2011 7:30pm #1

Hi,

Just seeing if anyone has done this before and has an idea on what's involved? I checked the VRT, is only €500, the commercial jeep is up for 7k sterling, however it's not very economical and is in Essex so about 6hr drive to Hollyhead Port which won't be cheap!

If anyone has any experience in this I would appreciate it.

Ciaran

TrailerBob · 20-07-2011 8:15pm

If you can put up with LHD and are saving a lot over a comparable RHD model then go for it. What jeep is it? My landcruiser can go from Carlow to Dover port for about 100 euro in diesel so its not criminally expensive. it would want to be well worth your while, but everyone is different, I have been accused of being mad in my purchases before...

ciaranmul · 20-07-2011 8:19pm

It's a Ford F150, thinking of using it as I am self employed and would be a great marketing tool, as it is very noticable! here it is...

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/largepic.asp?i=3009127&noPics=9&make=FORD&model=F150&imgsrv=1&trade=0&current=5

TrailerBob · 20-07-2011 8:23pm

Builder near me runs a white F-250 as part of his business. Looks the part but mpg is about the same as the space shuttle! Looks well, can you insure it reasonably?

ciaranmul · 20-07-2011 8:25pm

Awaiting an insurance quote, and my daily mileage is about 5! So not much driving, more so to have it parked and people notice it! But with a 6 hour drive from Essex to Hollyhead could cost about €300! There is one in Ireland for sale, but nowhere near as nice as this!

TrailerBob · 20-07-2011 8:32pm

Then its your call, sorry can't be of more help with importing, but shouldn't be too hard, if its worth it to you then do it.

ciaranmul · 20-07-2011 8:35pm

Great, thanks! Just worried I'm missing something re: VRT being only €500. Will see what my insurance quote is and ring the guy tomorrow!

Atlantic Dawn · 20-07-2011 8:37pm

Make sure that it qualifies for the €288 commercial motor tax before importing it, I am fairly sure that it does though.

I suppose it does depend on what business you are in but I'd think hard before buying something like this for a marketing tool, it will appeal to some but others will turn their noses at it especially when you try to park it anywhere or navigate a narrow street it's likely to annoy more people than it will impress. I'd think a well signed van would work much better without nearly as much running costs but each to their own at the end of the day.

cormie · 21-07-2011 6:50am

What line of business will it be? I immediately thought something to do with fitness/bodybuilding, checking some of your recent posts I see a few are related to this aswell. You may have some difficulty qualifying for the cheaper tax and possibly even the cheaper VRT? I know it's probably an exciting idea for you now and you don't want people pointing out the problems with it, but it may not work as well as you envisage. If you let us know a little more about your idea, what you plan to use the vehicle for, where you plan to be driving it, how much mileage you expect it to get etc.

ciaranmul · 21-07-2011 7:10am

Yeah close enough, I'm a Personal Trainer. It would literally just be parked outside the gym, and along the coast for when we run our Strongman, figuring it would be good advertising, the guy in Irish Lifting has a Hummer, and it works well for him! The mileage would be very little, and wouldn't be trying to fit into tiny spots in town. Thanks for the input, I am just testing the waters and figuring out if it would be worth my while!

bmstuff · 21-07-2011 7:32am

6 hours drive gonna cost you 300 euro petrol?
I hope you meant to say with ferry included.

That's a big thirsty engine, but still, you would do better than that...

cormie · 21-07-2011 7:37am

Have seen the irishlifting one around alright, but I'd be the type of person who would be interested in the tools and methods people are using for advertising as I'm in the same position with my business and vans. Whether your prospective client base would have their attention caught by it is another story though and obviously the important one. It also doesn't look like the easiest vehicle to use as a canvas, as in, there's a lot of obstacles on the vehicle itself, the bonnet and all the bumps and curves on the body.

It definitely would give off the DOWN AND GIVE ME 20 vibe though

Importing a left hand drve commercial from the UK

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