"KatzManDu" (KatzManDu)
09/07/2016 at 18:39 • Filed to: None
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"KatzManDu" (KatzManDu)
09/07/2016 at 18:39 • Filed to: None | 1
| 7 |
I’m looking for a beater SUV now (long story.) Easiest thing for my to do is source one from the UK and keep it registered there to avoid Belgian taxes. I can deal with the steering wheel on the wrong side.
I can find Land Rover Discoveries left and right and I figured why not a Nissan Xterra. Except they didn’t leave North America. Sure, there is the X-Trail, but I find that kind of ugly. Then the Pathfinder pops up in some search results, which bust the budget, but also fit the mission.
I will likely wind up with the likes of this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…
All I ask is that if I wind up with a LR of some kind with a tire on the back I can somehow source a “Land Rover of Chicago” tire cover (or Knauz or something) that has the Chicago skyline on it. Because that would kick ass tooling around in Europe.
duurtlang
> KatzManDu
09/07/2016 at 18:51 |
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Why the UK? Why not Germany or France? Steering wheel on the correct side, no clue about France but Germany has low tax.
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KatzManDu
> duurtlang
09/07/2016 at 18:53 |
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Because reasons (many co-workers commute from the UK so it is easier to register it at their address, etc.) I may be moving to the UK, too.
djmt1
> KatzManDu
09/07/2016 at 18:58 |
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That’s the easiest thing to do? I know my money isn’t worth that much anymore but this really puts things into perspective.
Svend
> KatzManDu
09/07/2016 at 19:52 |
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For around £2-3,000 price mark there are loads of Toyota Rav4s, Honda CRVs, Land Rove Discoverys and Range Rovers, Mitsubishi Shoguns, Nissan Xtrails, Isuzu Troopers, etc...
But be aware, the older the car, the higher the emissions, also the older the car the different emissions and tax rates it’ll come under from the year it was registered.
Also check the Iegalities of registering a car in a foreign country to which you reside. The insurance will have to be listed at the car is registered to, however. If you don’t reside at that address the tax man in the U.K. Or Belgium may see that a tax fraud, insurance fraud, etc... also any accident or speeding offence will see your insurance voided, etc...
It’s a minefield and I’d strongly check on the legalities. Some people may say it’s legal because they think it’s legal, but they’ve made no effort to find out if it is or not. The outcome maybe a large fine, some time in jail which may harm your residency in Europe or the car being seized and crushed.
The U.K. Police are clamping down on people living in the U.K. But having a car registered abroad and it’ll be fair to assume they will be clamping down or the other way round.
Not wanting to be a Debbie-downer, just make sure all your ducks are in a row before you go ahead with it.
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KatzManDu
> djmt1
09/08/2016 at 01:50 |
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Even before Brexit UK vehicles (for many, not all) are at a 10-20% discount over stuff on the continent.
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KatzManDu
> Svend
09/08/2016 at 01:57 |
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There are a LOT of reasons I’m going down this path. First, other people who sit in my office have gone down this path so we know it works.
1) I have a “six month window” on re-registering the car in Belgium. I think I will be living elsewhere by the time that window closes.
2) If I were to go German or French plates there is an expectation at my place of work that to make it past security I would speak those languages fluently. With Belgian plates and a US ID it isn’t an issue because they see me as a local resident, but other combinations and they get “confused.” They also can’t tell the difference between UK and US accent; they just know I speak the English whether it be the Queen’s or Michigan Avenue it doesn’t matter.
3) I already have insurance lined up through a UK agent with special on-continent coverage.
The $ amount is huge. Insurance and UK taxes should run around 1000 GBP total. If I go for a 4L V8 the Belgian taxes would be around 5000 EUR with insurance another 1000 EUR. With the 2.5L diesel it would be around 3000 EUR with insurance 700 EUR.
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Svend
> KatzManDu
09/08/2016 at 03:07 |
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Okay. But seriously, just because it works, doesn’t make it legal. Should you re-enter the U.K. You risk getting in trouble with the police, UK Border Agency, etc... insurance is dependent on the car being taxed and MOT’d. Which the car will need to be registered in the U.K.
If Belgium has a similar law to the U.K. Which states you have ‘X’ amount of time to re-register your U.K. Car in Belgium if you were to be a permanent resident of Belgium.
For example. In the U.K. If a Polish national were to move to the U.K. That is fine, but after six months and by 12 months they would have to register their car with the DVLA and get U.K. Plates if they wanted to continue living in the U.K. To do otherwise will be tax fraud either avoidance or evadance.
I’m not saying your colleagues are wrong, I’m saying they probably just haven’t been caught yet to find out otherwise.
If it were legal surely it would undermine the whole vehicle taxation process in the U.K. And E.U.
Whatever you choose to do, be careful and know the consequences ahead of time. Not knowing something is illegal. Doesn’t make it legal when you get caught nor will it get you off any fines, points or jailtime.