Buying a car in Belgium,

"duurtlang" (duurtlang) 10/28/2014 at 06:17 • Filed to: None

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Has anybody here done this before? I have imported cars from Germany (into the Netherlands), but never from Belgium. My main issue is getting the car from the place of the seller, close to Brussels, to the Dutch (or German) border: is there any somewhat practical and not overly expensive way to drive it, legally?

Secondary question: how much does a relatively small trailer capable of housing a 1300 kg car weigh? I ask because I could tow the vehicle, but only when the combined weight of both vehicles and the trailer don't exceed 3500 kg.

Jobjoris > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 06:36

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Is somewhat different from Germany, though not completely different. At the DIV (Directie Inschrijving Voertuigen) you can get a transit-registration to get it out of the country, will cost you about 60 euros. Make clear to the seller that you'll export it, otherwise some kind of 'APK' will be mandatory. But it's been a while for me (6+ years).

And keep in mind that 'grijs kenteken' in Belgium is completely different when looking for a double cab Landrover for example. A Belgian registered double cab LaRo won't be registered in the Netherlands legally without removing seats or adding lenght.

A car-trailer like pictured should weigh about 400-600kgs. But that's mentioned on it's registration papers (kenteken).

Alex87f > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 06:38

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As far as I know, there are no Belgian temporary plates. What's more, since Belgian plates are personal, the driver has to take them off when he sells the car. If you want to take the car to the border, Dutch transit plates would probably be your best bet.

Maybe you can also try to convince the seller to leave the plates on the car and UPS them back when you get home, but I wouldn't count on that.

duurtlang > Jobjoris 10/28/2014 at 06:46

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It's a lot of hassle either way, sadly. I might have to drive it to Germany, get another temporary plate there, and then drive it to the Groningen (province) border. I'll look into the DIV.

Towing might be another option. I might be able to loan an Opel Signum (3.2 V6) which weighs 1535 kg and has a towing capacity of 1700 kg. 1535 kg car, 1270 kg car, 430 kg trailer, combined 3235 kg. It's all very close to the limits, which is something I'm not happy with.

duurtlang > Alex87f 10/28/2014 at 06:48

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Would using plates from a Belgian based friend be a (legal) option?

BATC42 > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 06:49

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I don't know about Belgium, but if ever have to buy a car in France it might be helpful. Here plates are linked to cars, so no temporary plates necessary. When you sell your cars you have to sign a paper you will give to the Préfécture (= the government). You also cross the "carte grise" (picture below) and write on it the date on which you sold the car. From here on you can drive the car for a 1 or 2 months without a new registration. I don't know, though, if there is any particularities when you want to get the car out of the country.

Jobjoris > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 06:54

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Transporting it on a cartrailer is always the easiest option. If you want to store it some days just over the Dutch border: I've got plenty of space in Breda.

What's the object of desire this time?

(And the nowadays RDW-hassle isn't quite as bad as it used to be in NL!)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 06:59

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Does the car even need to be plated to trailer it?

OdinThe1337 > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 07:29

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I'm guessing you don't know a friendly garage that would lend you Dutch garage plates. Easy way to legally drive the car with insurance. I you are getting temporary German plates, why not get those first? Or do you need to show the car to get those?

duurtlang > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/28/2014 at 07:59

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No, but I'd need a towing vehicle and a trailer. I'm weighing my options, driving or towing.

duurtlang > OdinThe1337 10/28/2014 at 08:00

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Temporary German plates are easy to get, but it doesn't solve the problem of transporting the car within Belgium. German temp plates aren't valid in Germany, as far as I know.

duurtlang > Jobjoris 10/28/2014 at 08:02

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The object of desire is a 67k km E30 325i Touring. I do have a place just over the border... in Groningen, but I'll keep your offer in mind, thanks! I don't intent to register it in the Netherlands though, I'm buying it for someone else, someone who'll post a lengthy FP post on Jalopnik about it if we proceed.

Alex87f > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 08:14

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Nah that would venture too far into illegal territory. You cannot use yours or the former owner's but if you get stopped you might be able to talk your way out of it.

If you use completely unrelated plates, you're most likely in for a bad time.

Alex87f > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 08:17

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There are international plates though. I looked into bringing a car over from Germany and some plates are (I believe) valid abroad for 15-30 days. But they do cost a lot.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 08:27

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Do they have these in Europe?

Assuming it's not AWD, you put the drive wheels on the dolly and tow it on the non-driven wheels. We can rent them for $100 a day or so.

davedave1111 > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 08:32

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In theory, you can just register for an APK appointment and drive the car to it, I believe - that's how it works with MOTs, and I assume APKs are similar. Doing that cross-border might involve more arguing than it's worth, but if you can get the export papers in Belgium and then drive to the Dutch border, you ought to be OK driving across the Netherlands.

Klaus Schmoll > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 09:42

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Cool, you found another one! Is the seller less delusional about the price this time, or is the car really, really good?

OdinThe1337 > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 09:45

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Is it not allowed to put the temp German plates on in Belgium and drive the car back? If not and if you don't have a lot of experience pulling a heavy load behind a car, rent a "oprijwagen" to get it back safe.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > duurtlang 10/28/2014 at 09:59

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Make sure you check the tongue weight, as that affects tow vehicle dynamics. Thats the weight pressing down on the draw bar. Aim for about 7-10% of total trailer weight.

3500kg is generous limit. I have a 16 foot long steel trailer and its only about 775kg (estimate). If you have an empty trailer of that weight or a little lighter (Aluminum for instance), you should be fine weight wise.

Just remember you have to stop, so make sure you have good brakes on the trailer.

EDIT: I misread the limit. It's 3500kg including the tow vehicle. Probably licensing restriction (?) . If you do tow, I'd rent something large that will tow 3500kg of trailer weight, which would put you somewhere near a combined limit of 7000-8000kg. But you may need a special license for that in NL.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius 10/28/2014 at 10:14

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Works best with FWD, but if you can securely lock the steering rack, you could back on.

duurtlang > Klaus Schmoll 10/28/2014 at 11:42

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The car seems really, really good. Low mileage especially. Priced similarly as the one you've seen. However, it's RWD and without AC. And the seller won't budge, the price isn't flexible one cent, and as such it's too expensive. So this too will pass. Sadly.

duurtlang > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 10/28/2014 at 11:44

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They're licensing limits. You'll need a special license if the whole combination weighs more than 3500 kg. I only have the normal license.