7 replies to this topic

[BelgianBaker]

Hi,

I'm planning on buying a classic mini in the UK some time in the next 12 months however I live in Belgium (hence the name) and so was wondering how to go about it.
To help you all here are some useful facts:

I've been living in Belgium since 2003.
My folks still live in Derby.

So my question is:
How do I go about buying a second hand car, insuring it and taxing it to get it back to my parent's place before attempting to make a break for the border? Is it possible to get temporary insurance in my name (using my parent's address) or would I need to try and get insured here in Belgium before actually being able to pick the car up?

Sub question - how much would I be looking at for a decentish Mini (Cooper or 1300) that hails from the 80's or 90's and hasn't been tuned by some boy racer. Would I manage to get something for £3500 or am I too optimistic?

Thanks for your help and advice, if I manage to make this work I'll try and post some pictures along the way.

Cheers,

Paul

[Timtom]

£3500? You'd get something pretty tasty from the 80s for that and early to mid 90s but if you go late 90s you get MPIs which would be tasty but likely a bit less tasty than a really nice late 80s early 90s car.

[movin497]

Hi,

I'm planning on buying a classic mini in the UK some time in the next 12 months however I live in Belgium (hence the name) and so was wondering how to go about it.
To help you all here are some useful facts:

I've been living in Belgium since 2003.
My folks still live in Derby.

So my question is:
How do I go about buying a second hand car, insuring it and taxing it to get it back to my parent's place before attempting to make a break for the border? Is it possible to get temporary insurance in my name (using my parent's address) or would I need to try and get insured here in Belgium before actually being able to pick the car up?

Sub question - how much would I be looking at for a decentish Mini (Cooper or 1300) that hails from the 80's or 90's and hasn't been tuned by some boy racer. Would I manage to get something for £3500 or am I too optimistic?

Thanks for your help and advice, if I manage to make this work I'll try and post some pictures along the way.

Cheers,

Paul

i asked about one Mini Cooper (1997 - 2000) model
the whole cost of that model is more then £6,000
check below page may be that helps you
http://www.minimania...s4Sale_list.cfm

[matt615]

i asked about one Mini Cooper (1997 - 2000) model
the whole cost of that model is more then £6,000

But that's from an expensive dealer. If you buy privately you should be able to get a ver similar car within your budget.

[minisilverbullet]

Wouldnt it be easier to but a "european" mini. As you are in Belgium, Germany and Holland have lots of minis. They will be ofcourse a tad more expensive than Uk car, but atleast you dont need to faff around organizing for it to be delivered from England. And a big plus is the steering wheel is on the correct (wrong) side.

[BelgianBaker]

Wouldnt it be easier to but a "european" mini. As you are in Belgium, Germany and Holland have lots of minis. They will be ofcourse a tad more expensive than Uk car, but atleast you dont need to faff around organizing for it to be delivered from England. And a big plus is the steering wheel is on the correct (wrong) side.

Yeah it would be easier but part of the plan is to do a road trip with my brother in my new mini. Bearing in mind that I only get to see him for a couple of days each year (he lives in Japan) its probably the only real reason that I've got to buy in the UK. In any case I'd still have the same issue with Holland and Germany insurance wise and I'm not too bothered about the wheel, I'll probably get it changed when I have some mo money. The UK does have a lot more decent looking minis and loads of coopers from what I've seen on my searchs.
But as I'm still interested in any advice do you know any good garages with sites in Holland or Germany?

Cheers,

Paul

[minisilverbullet]

Remember a mini s for life not just for christmas a road trip, espeically when a road rip from the Uk to Belgium is only a couple of days.

I am not sure if i would be driving a newly purchased mini on such a trip. instead why not take the belgium registered car to the UK and back as a road trip. Sort of a better the devil you know kind of thing.

I know minis are relatively east to change the wheel over, but you also need to swap the brake cylinder over too. As an immediate concern you will need to cahneg teh head lights to LH and probably other small jobs.

I am a Scot living in Sweden. I thought about buying a UK car and importing it, but it seemed far too much hassle. Think of actually viewing a car. You really need to view a few in person, that can start to get expensive.

You live in teh heart of europe and only a car journey away form some potentially very nice minis in Germany; i heard the Silverbullet edition cooper is particulary nice.

Speaking of which, you will find some very nice export only models, Silverbullet as i mentioned, Bluestar and Balmoral etc


You will need to have the car MOT and registered in Belgium (same for a german or dutch mini mind). The main hurdle for my situation is.. that it is impossible to register a foriegn originating car that has had any sort of modification; in Sweden this is very strict. Best check the Belgium regulations. Emissions rules might also be tighter.

I know zee Germans have a really large and friendly forum. - http://www.mini-forum.de/

[BelgianBaker]

Speaking of which, you will find some very nice export only models, Silverbullet as i mentioned, Bluestar and Balmoral etc


You will need to have the car MOT and registered in Belgium (same for a german or dutch mini mind). The main hurdle for my situation is.. that it is impossible to register a foriegn originating car that has had any sort of modification; in Sweden this is very strict. Best check the Belgium regulations. Emissions rules might also be tighter.

I know zee Germans have a really large and friendly forum. - http://www.mini-forum.de/

Cheers for your thoughts, could be right if I'm being honest.
One thing though, I'm glad I'm looking for a Mini and not a two seater Triumph convertible...... zee Germans never were fans of the Spitfire! boom boom