Moving to the UK

Equos94 · October 5, 2020

Good Afternoon,

I am planning on relocating to the UK from Poland next year and I have some questions regarding my car. Mainly, bringing my 2005 ES330 with me.

I'm looking for a reliable source of information when it comes to bringing vehicles into the UK. My car has been taxed, registered and insured in Poland but despite that, every insurer in the UK that I have contacted declined my request to give me a quote on their insurance. Reason quoted is that this vehicle (model) does not appear in their database. I've faced the same problem here but I've found an insurance company that was willing to work with me and we found a way around this issue quite quickly. Is there a company that is more likely to help me with this? Are there companies that "specialize" in imported American cars?

My second question is about the steering wheel...Can I register and insure the car as it is and drive it legally in the UK? Would my insurance go up because of that? Would maintanance cost more? I do realize my questions sound a bit silly but I have no prior experience with the British system.

Last but not least, are there any limitations that are imposed on cars with engines like mine (3.3L V6 VVT-i) in the Worcester area? I know I wouldn't be welcome to drive around London and other big cities but...Where can I find this kind of information?

Be gentle. It's my first post here ;)

Thanks in advance,

Jakub

Vlady · October 6, 2020

Hi Jakub, welcome to LOC. Do you want to relocate permanently to UK or temporary? If temporary I think you can use your Polish insurance, did you check with them?

It is probably another story if you want to relocate permanently, then you better sell your ES (which seems like a very nice car) and buy something in UK (Lexus GS300) which will be cheaper to insure, service (possibly) and with much less headache while driving it.

I think insurance will go up as insurers don't like taking risks like that and you will be a higher risk on the UK road with steering wheel being on another side plus the car is american so if accident does happen (hopefully never) they will most likely write the car off as to get parts to fix it won't be easy and cheap and quick.

Garages might have the same excuse regards parts so they can charge you more, unless you can find a friendly garage to help you with your servicing.

Not much help here from me, may be someone else has better answers to all your questions.

Equos94 · October 6, 2020

Hi,

Thanks for your answer. I'm thinking about relocating for an extended period of time i.e 10+ years. I guess you could say its permanent?

1 hour ago, Vlady said:

you better sell your ES (which seems like a very nice car)

It doesn't seem like a very nice car. It IS a very nice car 😉

To be honest, part availibility is not an issue. At least here it's not. Most parts are the same/very similar to Toyota parts and are availible in most stationary stores/online stores. Prices are not too bad eiter unless we are talking about ES specific parts. That is a whole different story (A set of 4 dust shields costs about 1200 quid here whereas same part for a 2018 or 2019 model costs a fraction of that).

Ideally I could bring it with me. It would be a shame if I had to sell it now after all the time, money and effort that has been put into it. Not many car owners can say that their 15 year old car is in near pristine condition - both, mechanically and visually.

Werewolf1976 · October 6, 2020

Sell it - the advice on parts and repairs is sound. You will fight a battle every time your car needs something

Very little workaround on this one - if you do go the hard way, let us know how it goes GL

steve2006 · October 6, 2020

I would imagine that our resident insurance company Adrian Flux will see this and post soon, this company and a few others, like Performance Direct specialise in imported vehicles and can generally provide a competitive quote.

Also bear in mind that presently cars imported into the UK from another EU country pay no import duties or VAT. This may change after January so check or you may also be faced with a 20% VAT invoice from our government!

This may help

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

Malc · October 6, 2020

there seem to be quite a few Insce brokers that specialise in Imports for use on UK roads

Take the advice from Steve above, Celsior badged Ls400s are simple Imports and there are several happily on our roads and they are being imported regularly

Malc

Equos94 · October 6, 2020

Steve,

I had a quick look at the link you've provided. It seems that since I've paid the VAT on the car when I brough it into the EU I won't have to pay it again. I have all the necessary paperwork for that. I do understand that Brexit might change that but at least there is some hope for me 🙂

Quote

I would imagine that our resident insurance company Adrian Flux will see this and post soon, this company and a few others, like Performance Direct specialise in imported vehicles and can generally provide a competitive quote.

Yes, it would be great to see what they have to offer. My current insurance company charges me a third of what other insurance companies have offered, which is still double what people pay for an "average" car but I can live with that.

steve2006 · October 6, 2020

Mine is a Japanese model import so I had similar problems with insurance, most mainstream insurers wouldn’t consider it so it was specialist only. To be fair the premiums were around the same as a UK model but since the car reached 20 years old I have been able to obtain “Classic” insurance with limited yearly mileage for half the price.

The UK annual test (MOT) computer also doesn’t list my car so it is done as a LS430.

I don’t think it is a legal requirement but you may want to convert the speedometer from KPH to MPH and if you don’t have a rear fog light you will need one fitting for the UK. Another consideration is the headlights which may require changing to RHD units.

Finally welcome to the UK 😀

ColinBarber · October 6, 2020

7 minutes ago, steve2006 said:

I don’t think it is a legal requirement but you may want to convert the speedometer from KPH to MPH

You won't get the certificate of Mutual Recognition if you don't have BOTH MPH and KPH capability.

Equos94 · October 6, 2020

Quote

I don’t think it is a legal requirement but you may want to convert the speedometer from KPH to MPH and if you don’t have a rear fog light you will need one fitting for the UK. Another consideration is the headlights which may require changing to RHD units.

Quote

You won't get the certificate of Mutual Recognition if you don't have BOTH MPH and KPH capability.

Car is full Euro spec. Has both KPH and MPH, fog lights, orange turn signals etc.

ColinBarber · October 6, 2020

If you can get the European Certificate of Conformity then you don't need to put the vehicle through an IVA (although I didn't think the ES was available in Europe in 2005), then you just need to get the certificate of Mutual Recognition which is £100 - details are within the link Steve provided to the government's website.

Insurance will be the biggest issue - the number of insurers that will take on an import is limited, and premiums will be more because it is LHD and therefore a higher risk (but yes you can legally drive a LHD vehicle in the UK).

Servicing shouldn't be a problem, just find an independent Toyota/Lexus mechanic - service parts will be available as it isn't really different from the RX300/RX400h engine. Anything ES specific you are best to import from the US.

I'm not aware of any ultra-low emissions zones around the Worcester area that would restrict/charge you for driving a 3.3l engined vehicle - not sure if it is still only London that has such as restriction. Some info here:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/ulez-lez-caz-low-emission-zones-explained

Equos94 · October 6, 2020

16 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

If you can get the European Certificate of Conformity then you don't need to put the vehicle through an IVA (although I didn't think the ES was available in Europe in 2005), then you just need to get the certificate of Mutual Recognition which is £100 - details are within the link Steve provided to the government's website

I see. I will take a closer look at it when I have a bit more time.

I guess another question that I have now is : When I move to the UK, how long can I drive on my old plates before it becomes a problem? Would it be possible to drive it in the UK and then sell it without having to go through all this ridiculous paperwork?

ColinBarber · October 6, 2020

47 minutes ago, Equos94 said:

I guess another question that I have now is : When I move to the UK, how long can I drive on my old plates before it becomes a problem? Would it be possible to drive it in the UK and then sell it without having to go through all this ridiculous paperwork?

You need valid insurance to drive a vehicle on the road in the UK. You won't get valid UK insurance unless it is registered in the UK so the only option would be to use your existing Polish insurance and I would imagine they stipulate a maximum period of insurance out of the country - maybe 28 days for example.

rich1068 · October 7, 2020

Something else to keep in mind. This is a similar situation to the one I had with my LS. It was brought over from the Isle of Man in July and while initially it may have been taxed/registered/insured over there (like your Polish situation) the moment you apply to register it here you have to get it MOT'd but can't drive it on UK roads until you receive the V5C from the DVLA. Without the V5C you can't tax it or insure it. I finally received my V5C last week. That's 10 weeks!

steve2006 · October 7, 2020

Blimey! I’m pleased mine was already UK registered before I bought it.

Stopped looking at importing a newer model from Japan, the prices are OK until you find the shipping costs more than the car.

Plus I don’t fancy 10 weeks sat in Bristol or Liverpool Port. 😀

rich1068 · October 8, 2020

DVLA are very much blaming everything on the current situation. That said, the guy I bought my LS off was either a complete novice at selling IoM cars or didn't really care. With hindsight (his or mine, not sure) he should have had every document in his hand before advertising it but hey ho.

DAN@ADRIAN FLUX · October 11, 2020

Hi.

When you're ready if you do need any help with insurance then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

Equos94 · October 12, 2020

17 hours ago, DAN@ADRIAN FLUX said:

Hi.

When you're ready if you do need any help with insurance then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

Hi Dan,

I've already submitted a quote form on your website. I'll make sure to shoot you any information if/when I need more help. Thanks.

Dealkent · October 12, 2020

On 10/6/2020 at 10:11 AM, Equos94 said:

Hi,

Thanks for your answer. I'm thinking about relocating for an extended period of time i.e 10+ years. I guess you could say its permanent?

It doesn't seem like a very nice car. It IS a very nice car 😉

To be honest, part availibility is not an issue. At least here it's not. Most parts are the same/very similar to Toyota parts and are availible in most stationary stores/online stores. Prices are not too bad eiter unless we are talking about ES specific parts. That is a whole different story (A set of 4 dust shields costs about 1200 quid here whereas same part for a 2018 or 2019 model costs a fraction of that).

Ideally I could bring it with me. It would be a shame if I had to sell it now after all the time, money and effort that has been put into it. Not many car owners can say that their 15 year old car is in near pristine condition - both, mechanically and visually.

You won’t be able to keep a car in Uk on Polish plates for more than 6 months . When I am in Spain the police stop Uk plates cars amd ask you for proof of when you brought it into the country . The Uk police should be doing the same and if you had an accident would your insurance be void ?

Equos94 · October 12, 2020

55 minutes ago, Dealkent said:

You won’t be able to keep a car in Uk on Polish plates for more than 6 months . When I am in Spain the police stop Uk plates cars amd ask you for proof of when you brought it into the country . The Uk police should be doing the same and if you had an accident would your insurance be void ?

Yes, Im aware of that. Still can't wrap my head around how one can prove that they arrived in the country on a certain date especially within the EU and open borders etc.

I know I would have to get the car registered and insured if I decided to keep it. My question was if I still had to do all those things if I decided to bring the car into the UK and sell it as is.

ColinBarber · October 12, 2020

4 hours ago, Equos94 said:

My question was if I still had to do all those things if I decided to bring the car into the UK and sell it as is.

You could import it and provided you didn't put it on the road then you wouldn't have to register/tax/insure it - anybody who purchased it would have to do all that before they could use it on the road.

I'd question why you would want to do that though, it must be worth more in Europe as a left hand drive vehicle than it is in the UK. It is an unknown model in this country and therefore not very desirable and most people won't purchase a LHD in this country.

Dealkent · November 21, 2020

On 10/12/2020 at 5:23 PM, Equos94 said:

Yes, Im aware of that. Still can't wrap my head around how one can prove that they arrived in the country on a certain date especially within the EU and open borders etc.

I know I would have to get the car registered and insured if I decided to keep it. My question was if I still had to do all those things if I decided to bring the car into the UK and sell it as is.

When being stopped by police in Spain they actually asked to see they ferry ticket as proof of when I left UK !!! . Imagine the British police doing the same to European drivers in the UK ??!!!!

royoftherovers · November 22, 2020

18 hours ago, Dealkent said:

When being stopped by police in Spain they actually asked to see they ferry ticket as proof of when I left UK !!! . Imagine the British police doing the same to European drivers in the UK ??!!!!

When in Spain it is the responsibility of the British driver to evidence the fact that he has complied with the Law.

It is not the responsibility of the Police to show that he hasn`t.

A great pity that we don`t take a similar view.

CheckFault · March 22, 2021

I have moved many times to different countries and the biggest problem I have encountered is that few companies provide international transportation services and this is a very big problem. I own 3 cars at the same time, one of which is working and I am responsible for it with my head, and I have used local transportation services many times and each time I have encountered poor service. When I moved to Syndey from the UK, I used the services sydney to melbourne removalist after which I was satisfied because they did their job 100% and there was more than one additional scratch on the car, for which I am very grateful to them.