stmichaelsmary
7/12/2010 08:08 EST
Is it better to ship your American car over to the UK or buy one once you get over there? I've price checked the shipping on my vehicle and it would be about $1,500 - $2,000. I like my car and I think it would cost me a lot more to buy one like it over in the UK. But then I'd have a left-hand drive car in a right-hand drive world! Any opinions?
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gah26
From: United Kingdom
7/12/2010 10:14 EST
In addition to shipping costs, your car will need to undergo modifications in order for you to be able to drive it in the UK. I think most people find that it's not worth the trouble which includes learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road from the wrong side of the car. There also may be some insurance issues.
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yomper
From: Mexico
7/12/2010 15:21 EST
I have seen many US vehicles in the UK mostly classics and pickups but an insurance compaNY TOLD ME "WE DONT INSURE ANY OUT OF EU VEHICLES DUE TO THE COST OF REPLACEMENT PARTS" Even UK cars need slight modifications to drive in the rest of the EU The price you have been quoted for shipping is high.West Coast go in containers East Coast go RO RO usually from Baltimore
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Kguercio1
7/12/2010 20:52 EST
Lots of people lease cars in the UK. You'll have to weigh up the cost but it's hassle-free.
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taraindc
From: Germany
7/13/2010 03:34 EST
Buy one in the U K. I just moved here - it cost 2,000 pounds to modify my car. The headlights have to be shifted to point in the other direction, mine were Xenon so they had to be replaced entirely. Some older cars do pass inspection with black tape on the lights - most garages will do this for you for a nomincal cost. But I also had to replace the entire tail light assembly which was red instead of UK mandated orange. AND have a rear fog light installed along with an interior switch. Expensive!
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stmichaelsmary
7/19/2010 07:16 EST
What do you think is a fair price to ship a car? I'd be sending mine RO-RO from either Baltimore or Philly.
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ComradeM
From: United Kingdom
7/27/2010 07:25 EST
There are a number of car dealers over here which sell left-hand drive cars - mostly for US military. You should be able to find a similar used car to the one you have rather than shipping and modifying.
Alternatively a right-hand drive is not that difficult to master (what is difficult to master is the UK road and traffic system - and getting a new license if you need to go down that route)
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stmichaelsmary
7/27/2010 08:53 EST
My hesitation about buying a car over there is due to the fact that the car I have is fully paid for so there is no car payment. Having no car payment is important to me and I think it will be better to be able to use the cash I would spend on a car payment toward other expenses and getting established. I think it will depend a lot on the job that I end up with, if any!
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gah26
From: United Kingdom
7/27/2010 13:53 EST
You should also consider that depending on what kind of car it is you may have difficulty finding parts should it need service. Also, should you decide to sell it once in the UK, well, I doubt you'll get much interest.
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stmichaelsmary
7/27/2010 19:09 EST
It's a 05 Ford Freestyle so I think the parts would be available. Maybe. I'll have to check it out.
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gah26
From: United Kingdom
7/28/2010 07:03 EST
The parts may be readily available in the US. Was that model ever sold in the UK? If not, I would think that getting parts would be a problem.
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milquotia
5/18/2016 15:12 EST
You'll definitely have to address the harmonization issue (the right/left driving part) and possibly the engine displacement, depending on how much it is. That could add significantly to the total cost so try to get an idea what that will be in addition. I've called these guys before https://www.a1autotransport.com/ship-car-to-uk-united-kingdom.php just to get a cost estimate and they had no problem with that. Might be worth a look.
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OldPro
6/7/2016 13:03 EST
LOL, Milquotia, do you realize your are respnding to a SIX year old thread?
The OP has long ago made the move presumably and with or without the car.
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