Looking for advice for buying a car from France

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 19:58
Looking for advice for buying a car from France - ClassicMercMan

I have found a 1972 Mercedes 600 Pullman on the west coast of France. I have spent a few days with my mechanic going through the car with a fine toothcomb. I really would like to buy it (it's a private sale, no dealer involved). But, I'm completely stumped as to how to register the car in my name in France on temporary plates in order to bring it back to the UK.

I would be ever so grateful for any advice whatsoever on how to handle the French end of things.

Many thanks!

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 20:16
Looking for advice for buying a car from France - jc2

You don't get temporary plates-you reregister the car in France-ie. new "Carte Grise"(log book),CT(MoT) and insurance and then bring it back to the Uk and go thro' it all over again.Alternatively ,trailer(or container) it back or get the current owner to deliver it.

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 20:44
Looking for advice for buying a car from France - ClassicMercMan

Thanks for your reply. The current owner is 88 years old......and is unable to do anything with his Zimmer frame.....won't be able to deliver it.

I spoke to a friend who told me that it is impossible to register a car in france without proof of residence....which I don't have!

However, a dealer in Nice told me that he is sure it is possible to register it to get temporary plates that give you a month to get the car out of France.....but that was all the knowledge he was prepared to impart! He then told me to go and speak to the Préfecture where I spent a day and found out nothing at all!

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 21:23
Looking for advice for buying a car from France - jc2

Trailer? You'd still need insurance and CT even if it was possible to get temporary plates.Temporary plates are normally only issued to allow you to buy a NEW car in one country and then export it within a limited period.Trailer would make it easier in the Uk as well.If not a trailer,then a car transporter-there are firms that will handle this.

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 22:12
Looking for advice for buying a car from France - Mchenry

I don't think you need to register it in your name in France, which as already said you can't do without being resident in France.

The present owner fills in a 'certificat de cession' and writes the date of sale across the 'carte grise' . You then have (I think) a month to get the registration changed to your name. A month is more than enough to get the vehicle back to Britain. Make sure you get an invoice from the present owner. It's illegal to sell a car without a 'contrôle technique' dating from less than 6 months. If the vehicle was refused as needing work, that becomes 3 months.

Edited by Mchenry on 07/04/2010 at 22:15

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Thu 8 Apr 2010 22:05
Looking for advice for buying a car from France - getafix

Hi!

you can download this document , have it filled and signed by the seller and you.(3 ex)

www2.equipement.gouv.fr/formulaires/fic_pdf/cerce....f

The seller has to send a copy to the prefecture ( administration), give one to you , and keep one for him.

In principle the seller also has to get a "certificat de situation administrative" and give it to you if you were to register the car in France ( it means that the car is not used as the garanty of a loan, highly improbable in you case ).

With the "Carte Grise" bared and with the mention " vendu le "+ date (sold on + date) you can travel in France for one month with the current plates, enought time to reach the UK even if roads are blocked by a lorry drivers stryke.

The seller must have done a succesfull "controle technique" (=MOT) less than 6 month old. There is a stamp on the Carte grise.

Your car has to be insured.

In fact quite simple by French standards.

Edited by getafix on 08/04/2010 at 22:14

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