anyone import LHD into Ireland?

buildmyhouse

Hello,

I want to buy a LHD mercedes. I have driven LHD for years (brought the first one back from Germany).

I could go to Germany and buy one and import it myself but I am a bit tight on time these days (have kids now) so wonder if anyone is actually importing then into Ireland. You do find the occasional LHD on Donedeal but want to find a selection to choose from preferably

Thanks in advance if anyone has any guidance.

Seweryn

buildmyhouse wrote: »

Hello,

I want to buy a LHD mercedes. I have driven LHD for years (brought the first one back from Germany).

I could go to Germany and buy one and import it myself but I am a bit tight on time these days (have kids now) so wonder if anyone is actually importing then into Ireland. You do find the occasional LHD on Donedeal but want to find a selection to choose from preferably

Thanks in advance if anyone has any guidance.

Hi,

I do not believe anyone does that, as it makes no economical sense, i.e. second hand cars are dearer in Germany than here, as they are usually kept in a lot better condition and the high end quality cars are appreciated and do not lose value as much.

If I was you, I would bring the car personaly. It only takes 1-2 days. You will get temporary insurance cover in Germany, so the only thing you need to bring with you is cash and your passport.

CamperMan

what about resale, if you decide to sell the LHD car in Ireland, it could be tough.. not many people will want to drive one.

eth0

People are exporting old RHD mercs to other european countries cause nobody wants them now with the high tax and the old plates, not the other way around.

Just keep looking for 'lhd' on donedeal, the dealer, adverts you'll eventually find something.

buildmyhouse

Thanks for replies. Yes, i think I will take the time to do it myself. Even UK doesn't seem to have much choice.

In terms of resale, I have actually sold 2 lhd over the years. Actually quite a demand, last one I sold was my German import E class. A Russian guy was going to drive it back home. And while I have neen going around garages looking at cars with my current C class, several garage owners have asked me to come back if I want to sell it. I work with a group of people from all various nationalites (IT company in Dublin) and several of us are driving LHD cars.

Thaks again for input

Seweryn

CamperMan wrote: »

what about resale, if you decide to sell the LHD car in Ireland, it could be tough.. not many people will want to drive one.

You would be surprised. There is actually better resale value for some LHD cars even in this country.

turbojunkie

CamperMan wrote: »

what about resale, if you decide to sell the LHD car in Ireland, it could be tough.. not many people will want to drive one.

Yesterday I sold a LHD BMW. I got double the price I would have gotten for it if it was RHD.

djimi

On the issue of resale, it may be a lot harder to find a buyer, but if a buyer is found then they may be prepared to pay a good bit more if they are specifically looking for a LHD.

If you dont mind me asking, why would you want to buy a LHD car in Ireland? I have driven RHD cars on the continent and it was a horrible exprience. Overtaking was like taking your life into your hands (I just didnt even try it), and using things such as drive thrus, toll booths and ticket machines was a nightmare.

bbsrs

turbojunkie wrote: »

CamperMan wrote: »

what about resale, if you decide to sell the LHD car in Ireland, it could be tough.. not many people will want to drive one.

Yesterday I sold a LHD BMW. I got double the price I would have gotten for it if it was RHD.

€400 as opposed to €200 or €4000 instead of €2000 if it was RHD . Double doesn't mean much unless you know what it is you're doubling

buildmyhouse

djimi wrote: »

On the issue of resale, it may be a lot harder to find a buyer, but if a buyer is found then they may be prepared to pay a good bit more if they are specifically looking for a LHD.

If you dont mind me asking, why would you want to buy a LHD car in Ireland? I have driven RHD cars on the continent and it was a horrible exprience. Overtaking was like taking your life into your hands (I just didnt even try it), and using things such as drive thrus, toll booths and ticket machines was a nightmare.

The reason I want to buy a LHD is two fold really. Firstly I have driven only LHD for the past 16 years (lived in Germany for part of that time) But more importantly I currently have a LHD and we want to get a second family car. As both me and himself will be driving both(depending on whether we are driving just ourselves or kids plus friends etc) than I think jumping between rhd and lhd would be a real pain.

I really haven't had any isiues driving lhd car here. Yes, ticket machines are a pain. Solution, I sually have a passenger in car with me! For tolls, the easi pass thing works a treat!

buildmyhouse

bbsrs wrote: »

€400 as opposed to €200 or €4000 instead of €2000 if it was RHD . Double doesn't mean much unless you know what it is you're doubling

I have to say I agree with Turbojinkie. There is actually a good market out tere for LHD cars.

turbojunkie

bbsrs wrote: »

€400 as opposed to €200 or €4000 instead of €2000 if it was RHD . Double doesn't mean much unless you know what it is you're doubling

Sorry, good point! It was a 01 330D. I advertised it for 3700 and let it go for 3400. I only had it advertised less than a day before I sold it. The ad had almost 1000 views in under 24 hours and I had a huge amount of calls and texts. (I made a schoolboy error of not putting my phone on silent when I went to bed :mad:) I think I would have been very lucky to get anywhere near 2000 if it was a RHD model.