considering buying a 2 yr old car from the ci.
the deal is that the car will be delivered to a 'sister'
garage on the south coast, vat & transportation paid, but not
the cost of re-registering.
aware that a certificate of orginality is required, but do any
of you knowledgable chaps know any other requirements or pitfalls before signing on the dotted line.
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Channel Island cars generally do a very low mileage because the islands aren't big enough to do more. This means lots of short journeys and a temptation not to service so don't accept anything that hasn't been serviced at the recommended time as well as mileage.
Also, don't pay a premium for low miles - most engine wear occurs when the car is cold so don't expect the condition of the car to be much better than something with average UK miles.
Obviously the cost of re-registering will have to be paid by someone, so factor that into your calculations. What's the car and the total cost?
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The car may not be properly run-in.
IIRC the highest speed limit on Jersey is 40 mph. Hence, unless the driver has used high revs and/or has taken the car to France or the UK the engine may be very tight indeed (the technical experts can tell you the consequences of this).
Watch also for corroded brake disks from that lovely sea air and a lack of hard use.
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Point 1 - Its a hire car
Point 2 - It hasnt been run in.
Now these are not bad things if youn intend to run it for a couple of years and flog it on. Be aware tho that the previous registered keeper will have a hire car name (not one you might expect they use lots of different names to register).
If you intend to buy it to keep if for 10 years, think hard.
Dont worry about the brake disks BTW they do get a lot of use in the CI its very hilly and lots of bends so the brakes get hammered. Nothing else does mind you.
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I looked at doing this this a few years ago, but it all hinged on whether I would have to pay the VAT on a 2yr old car. I could not get a definite answer except 'suck it and see' so I decided not to go ahead.
An ex hire car may not be a bad idea as it will have been used, and fairly sensibly over there. Anything 'luxury' will have been bought as a status symbol and will be grossly under used, so avoid.
DougB
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Here in Guernsey (and I would have thought the tax rules were identical), I was told that from a personal import perspective, you don't have to pay import duty or VAT provided you have owned the car for at least six months prior to export to the UK, and hold onto it for a least 12 months after you bring it in.
Would agree with all the comments made so far, but also add a couple more - suspension and steering can take a hammering because the roads are very narrow, and you often have to pop up a kerb to give clearance to an oncoming vehicle. Also check for poorly repaired body damage, as sometimes said other vehicles don't get out of the way...lots of cars here with bent wings and doors, and missing mirrors. Also lots of hills, so check the clutch is OK if it's a manual.
Hire cars tend to get turned around on a 6 month basis by the bigger firms (not so much demand out of season, but some locals take them on lease contracts, and they also get changed every 9 months or so), so at 2 years old probably won't be ex-hire. Brand new, cars here are cheaper than the UK (no VAT), but the older they get the higher the secondhand price compared to the UK - although the corresponding mileages are lower, of course.
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