Importing LHD

[upliftin]

Hi all, Just a question about LHD importing from Germany.

Ive an A6 2.5Tdi Quattro avant, which ive had for nearly 5 years in Germany and im moving back to the UK now, but have found out i need to change the speedo to MPH in order for the DVLA to accept it.

Has anyone experience in importing LHD cars? I ask as i have tried to sell it and have had silly offers and as ive spent rather a lot maintaining her i want to keep it if poss but its looking more difficult.

Any help appreciated, thanks
J

[Nj]

I believe it's fairly simple bringing to the UK (unlike other countries like Finland).
Just take all your papers to the DVLA to register it. Then they'll send you to VOSA for a check/first MOT I think. You'll need to change the instrument cluster, headlights and change the fog light from left to right at the back.

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/overview

You won't need to pay vat since it's coming from Germany.

[upliftin]

Thanks Nj. Im actually looking now for an instrument cluster, which is not cheep and difficult to find the correct one for mine, its a manual gearbox not an auto. Plus new headlights are not cheep.


hunting begins. :-)

[Nj]

I know the feeling. I did the same in reverse when I brought my British car to Finland. Then I brought a French car to Finland (at least I didn't have to change the lights and cluster on that).

Good luck with the hunt. I think ebay will be your friend for a while

**edit** It's a C5 right? http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_od...brake&_sacat=0

[LHD_Kid]

I know the feeling. I did the same in reverse when I brought my British car to Finland. Then I brought a French car to Finland (at least I didn't have to change the lights and cluster on that).

Good luck with the hunt. I think ebay will be your friend for a while

**edit** It's a C5 right? http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_od...brake&_sacat=0

Have the rules changed?

My LHD S2 had Kmh clocks fitted without any issues. For registration and MOTs.

I thought the only problems were headlights and foglight (which has to be the correct side if there's only one...)

Edit: It only mentions "dual marked speedometer".....

[upliftin]

thanks guys, Its a C5 as in my sig pic. with zenon lights.

Im goning to call the DVLA about the tacho but im sure it needs to be MPH.

[upliftin]

My conundrum is that it is such a nice car, ive had no problems with the engine, always had it maintained by Audi in Fuerth Germany, just had a new clutch, flywheel, brakes, service...kts had everything and i want to at least use the odl girl till she drops.

I suppose 3-400 quid is not too bad to import it and keep it a bit.

Its a 2003 2.5tdi Quattro Avant in Met Silver, 6 spd manual, full options, leather, climate bose etc etc.

[Nj]

Did your S2 have dual marked speedo mate? My A4 does, which is why it's ok here in Finland. I just need to remember to think in km/h instead of m/ph when I look at the signs

upliftin - if it's a solid car that you won't get decent money back for then it's probably worth bringing to the UK. Especially since there's no import tax. Worst case scenario is you can keep the LHD lights and sell it later back in Germany. Or break it for parts. Whatever works best financially. It's hard to get rid of a good car you know well if you really don't have to

[upliftin]

Yeh thats the point, when you know a good car its worth keeping it.

My Dad said the same, break it in the UK eventually. I might be heading back in the next few days....will post a pic or 2 of the old girl. But first i got to put them online.

Cheers Guys
J

[jimmcf]

The instrument cluster should be easy enough to get one from a breakers over here or maybe an allroad will fit, you then need to have immobilser switched off otherwise the car won't start, this can be done quite easily i know a guy in redhill who did this for me with one of our cars. The headlights I am pretty sure you might be able to adjust them either manually or via vcds to alter the beam pattern, failing that it's off to your breakers again or ebay for some used lights same with the rear fog light.

I would say for less than £500 in parts and some elbow grease it wold be quite easy to do depends on how good you are with doing work on your car, or pay someone to do it for you, I am sure there may well forum members that could help

[upliftin]

Cheers. I appreciate the help, yeh thats what i think about 500, i will do it myself. First job though is to get back on Terra Firma, park it and do the jobs. Ill get some pics up eventually.

[upliftin]

This is her towing my old A4 1.8T Quattro after a front ender

[Audicted]

For the rear fog light I believe the wiring and bulb holder is already there, it was on the B5 A4. All you have to do is remove the bilb on the right side and put it on the left.

[Nj]

For the rear fog light I believe the wiring and bulb holder is already there, it was on the B5 A4. All you have to do is remove the bulb on the right side and put it on the left.

In My B6 A4 there was space in the bulb holder but I had to wire it (ran wiring from from the other side so now I have the option of sticking the bulb on either side... if I ever really had a need, like taking the car back to the UK)

[SA BOY]

My South African T3/T25 speedometer is still the original km one, no issues with mot whatsoever.