12 replies to this topic

[Mikey7094]

Hi everyone

 

I recently moved to Germany, and I have a project mini still sitting in a shed in England, which I would like to bring over here and finish. I'm expecting this to be difficult, and I don't know where to begin. Can anyone offer any advice on how to do it?

 

More specifically:

1. Bureaucracy: what fees/forms/applications are required for importing and registering a car in the EU?

2. Complicating this is the fact that it's mid-restoration and not roadworthy. Is it even necessary to register it in Germany, if it's going to sit in a garage and not be driven?

3. How can I find a garage (or workshop) where I can work on it?

 

Of course there's also the issue of physically transporting it, but that's easier for me to get my head around.

 

When I try to Google this, it seems like all the advice is geared towards road-going cars. I've also seen a few related posts on here, but they're a bit different and probably out of date now.

 

Thanks very much

Mike

 

[TeddytheSpoon]

I had exactly this conundrum when moving to Finland. I'm not sure how much of this will be relevant for your situation, but this is what I've gleaned - maybe you'll find some of it helpful.

1. This varies from country to country, but generally the import and registration will be handled separately. In Finland they have a rule where anything brought over within 12 months of moving can be counted as removal goods, and can therefore be brought in duty-free. It would be worth checking for one of those in Germany.

I would add that if you're getting a transport company to help you out, they will often assist with the paperwork (for a fee, naturally, although at least for export I've found it was generally less than 100 euro). It will also be much easier in this case if the car can at least move under its own power - mine came over via a couple of flatbeds and a Ro-Ro ferry.

2. As for registration, you will need to do it eventually. If it has a valid roadworthiness certificate from somewhere else, that's generally OK to drive it in, but as soon as it's registered under a different numberplate that becomes invalid. On top of that, some places make you register the car within a certain date of moving if it's on the road. Again, you'd need to check the rules for Germany specifically, but I would assume that until you take it for its TUV, you can prepare it at your leisure.

3. Can't help you on this one, other than looking at rental sites for garages!

[Mikey7094]

Awesome, thanks for your advice, and I'm happy you made it work! I think Germany does have a similar 12-month rule. I guess you paid the transport company to handle the paperwork?

 

I was planning to drive it over myself with a trailer or very big van. It's currently a rolling shell, so can be pushed about easily, but very far from moving under its own steam.

[nicklouse]

Join the German Mini forum as they will be a big help.

 

loads of active Mini clubs there as well.

 

what is your location?

[TeddytheSpoon]

Awesome, thanks for your advice, and I'm happy you made it work! I think Germany does have a similar 12-month rule. I guess you paid the transport company to handle the paperwork?

 

I was planning to drive it over myself with a trailer or very big van. It's currently a rolling shell, so can be pushed about easily, but very far from moving under its own steam.

I did for the export, but I handled pretty much everything on the import side. Thankfully the removal goods clause drastically reduced how much I had to do - essentially just customs clearance, alongside standard things like proof of ownership and V5.

Driving it over yourself is probably the cheaper way to do it, it certainly leaves a lot more in your control! I had a colleague do something similar with an old Silvia - by all accounts driving it all the way to Finland was a bit of a bore, but Germany should be much more manageable. You might not even be stopped at border controls once you're over the Channel, but I would prepare for the eventuality, particularly if your van/trailer in question is on British plates.

 

I agree with nicklouse's suggestion though - there's quite a healthy Mini community in Germany who I'm sure would be happy to help add another one to their ranks!

Edited by TeddytheSpoon, 26 November 2024 - 09:34 PM.

[bpirie1000]

Just buy one over there... then sell the English one..

More minis are always better...

[JanP64]

.. and getting a steering wheel on the "correct" side makes driving so much more relaxed...
(we have two RHD vehicles in NL. Overtaking, parking garage gates, etc can be frustrating).

[Mikey7094]

Just buy one over there... then sell the English one..

 

That would be the sensible thing to do. But if I'm being sensible, I wouldn't buy a Mini at all!

 

.. and getting a steering wheel on the "correct" side makes driving so much more relaxed...
(we have two RHD vehicles in NL. Overtaking, parking garage gates, etc can be frustrating).

 

I will definitely convert it to LHD.

[Mikey7094]

Join the German Mini forum as they will be a big help.

 

loads of active Mini clubs there as well.

 

what is your location?

 

Is this the one?

https://www.mini-forum.de/forum/

 

I am in Cologne.

[nicklouse]

 

Join the German Mini forum as they will be a big help.

 

loads of active Mini clubs there as well.

 

what is your location?

 

Is this the one?

https://www.mini-forum.de/forum/

 

I am in Cologne.

 

Yes, and there is a big club there you will be in good company. 
 

one thing to note in Germany there are MK1 minis and all the rest are MK2 according to the “DVLA” out there.

[Mikey7094]

So there is! Well this will be a good test of my German...

 

Thanks a lot for your help!

[nicklouse]

So there is! Well this will be a good test of my German...

 

Thanks a lot for your help!

Don’t worry, they are not dismissive of English.

 

keep an eye out for all the Mini events that happen. Normally a couple each month.

[copilotChewie]

What nicklouse said, and confirming the advantages of importing the car as an item of moving goods (the German for it is "Umzugsgut").

If the car were currently fully reg'd and road going, there'd even be more than customs advantages:
https://www.tuvsud.c...ssung/umzugsgut

Especially if you'd had to pass more complex/expensive procedures with the vehicle, or even lack certain EU paperwork which would make it hard to reg it in the EU. As per the article (unfortunately they sillily lack a translation ...) an emissions qualification or the full §21 check may not be required if you're getting it over as part of moving.

Best regards,
Jan