Buying cars from overseas

[colr6]

Here you go then, as suggested by smoke em. Put your suggestions or pitfalls of buying cars from overseas.could be the plus points or negatives.effects on the UK market if any, the effect it has on the market where they're coming from. Nova forms,import duties and also any recommendations of importers or any vetting agencies in the country involved. Crack on the lads have your say!

[eeb43]

bought a mk2, 2 door from jason holland in finland he has several mostly rally stuff on ebay trades as cosco i believe good description and he arranged everything from his door to mine bought an estate from malta and nowhere near as good as the description so everyones opinion of cars varies it seems

[2512pf]

Had 4 imported mk2 escorts

This is the benefit

No welding

Stronger shells

Cheaper price

 

This is the non benefit oh there isn't one

[colr6]

Had 4 imported mk2 escorts

This is the benefit

No welding

Stronger shells

Cheaper price

This is the non benefit oh there isn't one

Is there much difference in spec between your SA escort to uk spec ?

[mk1del]

​bought my van of alba classic in Scotland, was for sale on eBay, rang him agreed a price, delivered it to my mates storage unit,

​needed restoring but didn't need much welding, couple of patches heater bubble, one door skin and a bonnet, solid and I always rebuild my own  cars anyway,

​got nova number with it and african certificate , was panicking about time scale to get registered, sent everything registered post ,all came back registered and taxed in 10 days

[colr6]

Wish it was the same with commercials, imported trucks need an IVA to get it registered. Think all the os fords would suffer trying to get through that ! You would have a considerable list of failures and type approvals to find.

[Vista]

Had 4 imported mk2 escorts

This is the benefit

No welding

Stronger shells

Cheaper price

 

This is the non benefit oh there isn't one

No "non benefits "? You don't think buying unseen presents significant risk? If you're buying direct from an overseas seller, you can't even be certain there is a car let alone that it's as described.

 

Oh and all South African cars are rust free? Think again on that too. This thread was the perfect example of that not being a reliable assumption. Unfortunately the OP used photo bucket for the images and has since deleted them. Trust me, it was RUSTY.

 

http://www.oldskoolford.co.uk/ipb/index.php?/topic/74864-the-south-african-project-update-7814-holey-moley-p9/?fromsearch=1#

[eeb43]

Wish it was the same with commercials, imported trucks need an IVA to get it registered. Think all the os fords would suffer trying to get through that ! You would have a considerable list of failures and type approvals to find.

only later commercials need an iva and so do later cars what yeat are you talking about?

[colr6]

only later commercials need an iva and so do later cars what yeat are you talking about?

I got an 08 plate Scania from Southern Ireland, the red tape was unreal!

[Vista]

I got an 08 plate Scania from Southern Ireland, the red tape was unreal!

 

 

You the British answer to Rubber Duck then Col?

 

[colr6]

LOL.....don't have CBs in the trucks, get enough shit down the phone without listening to the knobs on radios.

[Vista]

LOL.....don't have CBs in the trucks, get enough shit down the phone without listening to the knobs on radios.

 

They didn't have phones then

[colr6]

They didn't have phones then

Most of the time I wish we didn't now!

[Rally Pack 2000]

No "non benefits "? You don't think buying unseen presents significant risk? If you're buying direct from an overseas seller, you can't even be certain there is a car let alone that it's as described.

 

Oh and all South African cars are rust free? Think again on that too. This thread was the perfect example of that not being a reliable assumption. Unfortunately the OP used photo bucket for the images and has since deleted them. Trust me, it was RUSTY.

 

The interesting thing that many dont consider is not only that they do rust but due to climate and slightly different sealing techniques they can rust in completely different positions that are generally pristine in the UK cars so you dnt bother to ask about. You may be well asking the seller is there rust in the floors and wings to which you may well get an honest answer of "no" all the while the insidious brown is munching on other parts. When buying an Australian Mk2 Escort there is no need to ask for photos of the wings and boot floor, ask how much rot it has in its C Pillars. Not just if it has any but actually how much it has! This can subsequently create repair issues once its in your garage in the UK because C Pillar rust isnt a big issue there, no one makes new replacement patch panels for that area with your only option to replace the entire rear quarters. Major work when the rest of the guard is most likely sound. Definitely a few pitfalls many wouldnt consider.

 

If you want a Kum ba yah, under the skin we're all alike moment however, that bloody plenum chamber drain hole! They all rust there no matter where your from!

[2512pf]

No "non benefits "? You don't think buying unseen presents significant risk? If you're buying direct from an overseas seller, you can't even be certain there is a car let alone that it's as described.

Oh and all South African cars are rust free? Think again on that too. This thread was the perfect example of that not being a reliable assumption. Unfortunately the OP used photo bucket for the images and has since deleted them. Trust me, it was RUSTY.http://www.oldskoolford.co.uk/ipb/index.php?/topic/74864-the-south-african-project-update-7814-holey-moley-p9/?fromsearch=1#

i have a rust free sa car you are more than welcome to come and have a look

i always buy from known sources .

i have never been ripped off or been disappointed with the cars.

not all have come from SA

sometimes scott you have to open your eyes and mind and look further than the uk

[Vista]

I am not in the market for another car (I already have 3) and am not saying you shouldn't buy from abroad, only that it isn't risk free like you suggest. Perhaps you have just been fortunate?

[2512pf]

I am not in the market for another car (I already have 3) and am not saying you shouldn't buy from abroad, only that it isn't risk free like you suggest. Perhaps you have just been fortunate?

I think the the way to look at it is this,I have more old fords than I can remember so I know what to look for and what pictures I want emailing me before I make the commitment to buy,you get what you pay for in life in cars and most other things.

So fortunate no wise perhaps

[Eclectic Auctions UK]

That's the crux of it right there...know exactly what photos to ask for and if the seller isn't willing to provide the details then look elsewhere. I've bought all sorts from all over the world. Plenty of great Rhd Fords from warm climes...Thailand, Indonesia both Rhd and sold in numbers. tend to be the base spec though due to high import tax when new. 

[Vista]

I think the the way to look at it is this,I have more old fords than I can remember so I know what to look for and what pictures I want emailing me before I make the commitment to buy,you get what you pay for in life in cars and most other things.

So fortunate no wise perhaps

A picture may paint a thousand words......but it can never tell the whole story. How do you know from a picture that the rust free photo you are sent is actually steel at all? For all you know, it could be fibreglass and plop.

 

You may be well informed about what to look for, but you've still been lucky any way you look at it.

[Rally Pack 2000]

Those who have imported cars before sight unseen, how have you arranged shipping from another country? What does it actually cost to ship a car such great distances? I have always been really curious. I see so many of our Escorts popping up in the UK and wondered how on earth it got there and always thought the costs would be prohibitive. Most of the cars I know about being bought here werent sold sight unseen they were inspected and bought in the usual way and the buyers then popped them on a boat in person. Photos by email seems an incredibly scary prospect and a big hurdle as far as shipping is concerned, I would worry myself into an ulcer till I opened the container to see if it really was what I purchased.

 

Ive seen a couple of Escort Cosworths here so its not unheard of that the flow goes in the other direction as well but not usually the older stuff mainly new and exciting models manufacturers wont offer for the local market so enthusiasts do private imports. Some of the rusty Escorts with no floors ive seen you guys restore wouldnt have even have made it into a breakers yard here. Im always astounded by the UK market that is so desperate for these cars that its viable to source them around the other side of the world. Its not something you can Google either, asking "why the UK is desperate for old Escorts". The family filter always goes off so I will never fully will understand the craze there.

[colr6]

I know in America there are vetting agencies who will do an appraisal on a vehicle, but dare say that could open to cash in hand tac tics.

[2512pf]

A picture may paint a thousand words......but it can never tell the whole story. How do you know from a picture that the rust free photo you are sent is actually steel at all? For all you know, it could be fibreglass and plop.

You may be well informed about what to look for, but you've still been lucky any way you look at it.

Sometimes in life Scott you have to trust people ,when you have had your own business for 25 years you become a very good judge of character,

Also As I said in previous post you have to know what your looking for,

You never know Scott you might find yourself something if you looked into it,if you needed any help I would point you in the right direction

The world is a big place with lots of cars available

[eeb43]

i looked at a sunburnt rust free mk2 shell in brentwood an australian import, wasnt rust free to say the least!

[eeb43]

Wish it was the same with commercials, imported trucks need an IVA to get it registered. Think all the os fords would suffer to get through that ! You would have a considerable list of failures and type approvals to find.

i thought you were talking about 50s/60s trucks!

[Vista]

Sometimes in life Scott you have to trust people ,when you have had your own business for 25 years you become a very good judge of character,

Also As I said in previous post you have to know what your looking for,

You never know Scott you might find yourself something if you looked into it,if you needed any help I would point you in the right direction

The world is a big place with lots of cars available

There are plenty of people I trust Paul, but trust is a bit like respect, i.e. it needs to be earned. Who it is definitely not given to is blokes on the Internet claiming to have a rich relative who died and left them millions so please can they have my bank details to get it out of bingo bongo land......or alternatively other blokes who email pictures half way round the world purporting to be 100% rust free Fords hand carved from purest unobtainium.

 

I don't want any more cars as I have three and tend to keep them a long time. And I thank you for your kind offer of help choosing one in the future but as I have restored several myself now, I think I'll manage ok.....with your permission of course.