Post
by Naz » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:59 am
Hi Gents, here's my experience with bringing a RHD car over from the UK.
The car in question is a Land Rover 90 Hard Top. I owned the vehicle for 5 years prior to leaving the UK. Its a long post, but bear with it!
After arriving in Hanko ferry terminal and producing all of the vehicles' UK documentation, the customs officer gave me a stamped sheet to take to Tulli (once the car had been inspected to Finnish MOT regulations. You have 30 days to do this, otherwise you're buggered).
The only catch is that you had to have a Certificate of Conformity that stated the Exhaust Emissions at the time the vehicle was manufactured (mine was made in 1987, but with a Discovery TDi engine from circa 1992). Trying to get this from Land Rover was like trying to find rocking horse poo. Had a few "friends" in the trade that promised me one, but it never materialized. In the end, the garage I took it (somewhere near Vaasa) to for the MOT managed to order one from Germany (some place that deals in these kind of things) for 150 Euros.
With this magic sheet of paper,. the garage did the MOT, which luckily it passed with flying colours (I've basically rebuilt the vehicle - not a straight body panel on it, but the running gear is A1).
Also I am fortunate in that Land Rovers are readily available in LHD, and the only extra thing I had to buy was LHD headlamps, which were pennies from the UK (I also brought a comprehensive set of spares and tools with me, to save on postage from the UK). I didn't have to change anything alse on it.
Now that I had the MOT, we said to the bloke in the garage that as it was a Hard Top (no windows or seats in the back) that we would like to register it with Tulli as tax free (and it is a diesel). He said the only modification it would need was a bracket above the rear wheel arches (well, horizontal box) where seats could be fitted, otherwise I could, in theory, have passengers in the back.
This was done quite easilt with two small diameter tubes, and attached to fixing holes in the back. It doesn't really compromise load-carrying ability and can be removed in 2 minutes.
So, with all this sorted out, we went to Tulli. I am fortunate in that I can't speak Finnish (my girlfriend does the talking, I just sit and nod like a simpleton) as the delightful old woman that dealt with us needed a few words on courtesy and politeness. She pointed out that we had left it a bit late in coming to them. My girlfriend later said that her whole attitude and language was totally unacceptable. Granted, we were there after 23 days, but still within the 30 day time limit that I was informed of at Hanko.
We explained that we had to wait for the Certificate of Conformity, but this wizened old dear started to quote some other random, pointless law known only to those in the custom trade, and not to us low lifes......Anyway, she begrudgingly took all of the info, wanted to know all of my details, even took photocopies of my passport, birth cert, previous employment slips (all this pi55ed me off no end, if I tried to do that to her kind, she'd have me shot). We never treated the locals in Iraq or Northern Ireland like that when on patrol and doing snap Vehicle Check Points! Unbelievable!
We even had to ask her when we getting the tax decision, as she started to bugger off without telling us what would happen next! So, she mumbled that we would have the tax decision in a week or two. She couldn't even look me in the eye. It finally arrived 3 weeks later, and I was grateful that they actually allowed it to be classed as tax free. Thank you very much!
I'm sure I'll have responses about my opinion of this old dear, but I don't give two hoots. I dislike being treated like that by anybody, even in my own country. I would never treat other people the same as she did. I expect politeness and firmness, but professionalism at all times from people in authority.
Insurance.
Getting insurance wasn't too difficult. I gave the insurance company a copy of my UK certificate, which stated the amount of No Claims Discount I had collected over the years. They then confirmed this, and offered me a good deal. Unless you have a car that is worth a lot, or you care if the bodywork stays straight, I would just get 3rd party cover, with the Moose damage thing (sounds daft, but true!). But that is just my opinion as I have a 20 year old car!
"How has it been having a RHD vehicle in Finland?"
No problems at all. It is obviously easier to drive with a native Finn in the passenger seat, as you invariably will try to go down a wrong road or miss road signs, and for over-taking purposes. However, I have driven on my own, and it is not that much of a hassle, as long as you stay switched on (mentally).
"What modifications would the vehicle need to this climate?"
Definitely an engine pre-heater. I have one waiting for me in the UK that was bought from eBay at a fraction of the new price. It is a self contained unit that takes fule from the vehicles' fuel tank, therefore does not need an electrical point to connect it to. They are more expensive than said electrical heaters, but much more convenient in the long run. I have checked with the airlines, and they will allow this 'device' to be brought through as cargo luggage on an aircraft (the whole unit only weighs aroung 6kg). Also a spare set of wheels for winter tyres (unless you have a standard car, where you could just buy a cheap set from a scrap yard over here). A car cover is handy if you have trouble with locks icing up (there are ex-MOD 'winterizing' kits that are custom made to fit Land Rover windows, fuel fillers, handles etc if anyone has such a vehicle).
"What would I have done differently if I were to do it again?"
Definitely get the Certificate of Conformity first. Buy an engine pre-heater and fit it back home where you could work outside without being killed by the weather, and where such items are much cheaper than over here. Ensure you have a decent set of spares (ie, brake pads & shoes, filters, bulbs, fan belt etc) as these are the ones that will go over time, and at least you can save a few quid on pricey parts.
I know this experience is peculiar to my own vehicle, but I thought I'd let you know what it was like for someone who has actually imported a car.
In Summary:
1. You must have owned the vehicle in the country you are moving from for at least 2 years (you'll have to confirm this, as it didn't apply to me cos I had mine for 5).
2. Confirm with your insurance company that you will have cover for at least 30 days in Finland whilst you are in the process of getting the vehicle sorted out over there.
3. Get an engine pre-heater installed before you leave, and any spares you think are relevant.
4. Ensure you have all documentation for the vehicle from that country (in the case of the UK, the V5 vehicle document; the current MOT certificate; the current insurance certificate; the Certificate of Conformity for the year the vehicle was manufactured).
5. Plan your journey well, giving yourself plenty of time to reach your ferry destinations safely, with adequate rest.
Sorry to ramble on, but I have nothing else to do!
So, hope this sheds some light for any of you who would like to bring their car over.
All the best
Naz
of course.
