Aussie coming over there

novocastrian
novocastrian Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited December 2015 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Coming to the UK in April 2016.....is there anyone who has previously travelled to the UK and bought a van and a car to travel around the Uk (not Europe!)

There appears to be many obstacles to overcome in the process of puchasing a car & van.

BTW  My daughter lives in UK so there is a possibility of using an address

Comments

  • johnathome
    johnathome Forum Participant Posts: 101
    edited December 2015 #2

    I would think your best option, would be for your daughter to buy the car and caravan in her name.

    then add you to her uk insurance for the length of your stay.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #3

    we do have an Aussie come over and post, think his name is Bob North?  Tried to search threads he contributed to but no luck

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #4

    we do have an Aussie come over and post, think his name is Bob North?  Tried to search threads he contributed to but no luck

     

    Yep it is Bob North, I haven't tracked him down on threads either, sorry.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #5

    I would think your best option, would be for your daughter to buy the car and caravan in her name.

    then add you to her uk insurance for the length of your stay.

    That is one possible option, probably the best, even if you buy once you actually arrive that way you can have some input into the choice of each.  It doesn't take long to buy/insure/road tax a vehicle once you have it, hours

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #6

    I don't know about caravans but I have heard that those over here from your neck of the woods sell campervans on the south bank of the Thames (in London) on Sunday mornings.  I have never checked it out myself, you would have to make your own mind up about
    quality and reliablity so unless you know what to look for I'd be cautious.  I learnt this when I was talking of buying one in NZ (our daughter lives there) as the advisor said in may well happen elsewhere in the world.  Haven't found any to buy at a price
    I'd like to pay in NZ Surprised

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #7

    You could ask the Community Manager to forward your details on to Bob North with a request that he make contact with you.

    150 pixels photo ba9efc87-643d-42da-9817-e5b5ead08e3e_zpsf5f9425f.png

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #8

    See also "UK by Campervan" in the story section, a recent story posted by Australians. Sorry can't do the link but it's not far down the stories list.

    Mod Edit, story link here

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2015 #9

    Here's
    a link     to one of Bob's posts, explaining how he and his wife did it.

     

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited December 2015 #10

    I am not sure what the obstacles are. A caravan isn't a separately registered vehicle, so that is just a matter of handing over the money.  For the car life would probably be easier with a permenent UK address.   To get a motor vehicle taxed you need an
    mot ( annual safety check) if over three years old and insurance.  

  • bennetti
    bennetti Forum Participant Posts: 13
    edited December 2015 #11

    I think your biggest obstacle is going to be insurance, as I suspect that most insurers will decline to take on non-resident non-UK licence holders.  Research this carefully before spending any money.  Take the advice of specialist insurance brokers. Adrian
    Flux springs to mind first, I am sure there are others. Remember you can't licence the car without insurance first.   Hope it works out. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #12

    Used to insure my old van with Adrian flux and good price and t&c's but not covered by UK Financial Sevices but by the Cyprus financial authorities.  Can't say if this could be a problem or not

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #13

    A long time ago, 20 plus years, I used to talk to my local garages about selling me a car for 3/4 months use and buying it back at the end. I did it a couple of times and it worked out cheaper than hiring. It maybe worth approaching a few garages local to your daughter. I used to use my mothers address for registration and insurance. Don't forget what every you do if you intend to tow a caravan you will need a vehicle with a tow bar!

    peedee

  • novocastrian
    novocastrian Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited December 2015 #14

    I am digesting the information thanks guys.

    I am watching the market over there and think an automatic diesel Pajero/Shogun looks like a reasonable buy.

    Hoping to have an Aussie or two who have done this recently to chime in with their experiences.

    Have read a bit about Adrian Fluxs' sevice and he seems to be the goto man.

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