Which model?

Hi all,

I know it's a subjective question but thought I would give it a go anyway, I'm looking to import a Kombi from Brazil and wondered if there is a particular model / variant that is more desirable, or is there a model to avoid at all cost?

Thanks in advance
Andrew

Depends what you want the Kombi for. If you're simply planning to sell it on go for a standard minibus. Panel van variants are harder to convert into campervans.

Andrew. Please go careful if your dealing abroad and do all your checks before sending anyone money etc....I was contacted recently by a lady that lost many £1000's....My suggestion would be to deal with someone you trust in the UK and have the sale covered by UK law etc. Also its best to see the car in the flesh and do any checks required before you pay...A trader gives you more protection in a sale compared to buying privately and also a warranty etc. Good luck

Thanks for the advice, it's really appreciated.

Fortunately earlier in my career I bought furniture from Brazil so travelled there quite a lot and now have some friends and business contacts there so sourcing the vehicles and getting them to the UK is the easy bit :-) the difficulty could be the registration process in the UK, I don't know if that part is relatively straight forward or a minefield.

The other issue is although my associates and I love Kombis we are not mechanics so will need to use local services in Brazil to inspect the vehicles before purchase and shipment etc just to make sure we are not buying a 'cut n shut'

Are you aware of any other major pitfalls of bringing a Kombi in from Brazil?

Thanks again
Andrew

All I can tell you is what people who have tried it, have told me - They wouldn't do it again as the saving just wasn't worth it. Taxes are non refundable in Brazil and the condition of used ones there are often way below what we would accept in the UK. Mechanical repairs and general body work condition are often not good as they are used as commercial vehicles and often have a hard life….You also have no back up or warranty and all the time it will take out of your life (as well as trusting a lot of people you've never met) means you could have been earning money elsewhere instead of stressing …. Then after all that you need to try and UK register it etc..and its still left hand drive.

Or you could just give it a go and see what happens.

Let us know how you get along.

Hi Anders , if you go ahead I can clear it through Customs for you at any UK port.
We do lots of commercial and private cars and done a few Campers and Buses too and it's pretty straight forward. Duty rate currently 10% and VAT 20% on a T2 Kombi , if you go for a Splitty you might be able to get a Nil Duty and 5% Vat rate but you'd need a binding tariff agreement from UK Customs (can send you details). All charges are calculated on Purchase Price and Shipping costs.
As a private importer once the entry clears through Customs we would send the relevant paperwork to
the appropriate Customs office and they would send you the documents required to register it with DVLA. If you go ahead send me a PM and I'll help you as much as I can. Good Luck
Regards Steve
(Not touting for business Tim - honest )

beakyboy wrote:

(Not touting for business Tim - honest )

Haha, it's an offer to make the process smoother isn't it beakyboy? That's how I perceive it.

I see no issue with non-Danbury sourced Kombis coming into the country. Not only does it mean more people gaining access to the BraziBay way of life, it's also a business opportunity for established Kombi specialists to offer their services. Any Kombi coming into the UK has the need for servicing, repair and potential conversion. It's just a new sector of the market that will need serving.

Great updates guys, yes Tim I will be giving it a go, whats the worst that could happen!

Steve, thanks for the 'process smoothing' advice I'll send you a message once I get the details locked down a little bit further.

I started this project about two years ago while I was in Brazil and got most of the elements lined up like a clearance agent and UK delivery etc but then started my own business so the new venture took priority, now however I'm at a point where I can pick it up again so will need to get everything in place again.

Another question, whats the view on the vehicles being LHD, is it a major problem and does the resale price drop substantially over a RHD similar model?

Thanks again.

Andrew

LHD owners will shout at me for this, but they can be 'harder' to sell on simply because we are a RHD country.  However there's a lot to be said for keeping the BraziBay original - air vent flaps remain, brakes and steering box stay where VW put them, useful for Continental driving.  If you've owned a LHD vehicle before in the UK it's really no great shakes.  

It's more about perception.  Just think of all those Classics that are trundling around the UK that have come from the U.S.

However, should anyone want to get a RHD conversion, there are companies here in the UK that can sort it. I can think of at least 3!

Anders, wheb the Kombi is shipped to the UK, is it just drove on, or does it have to be in a container?

Hi Timmm,

Depending on the shipping line both options are available, either containerised or RORO ( roll on roll off) I prefer the containerised option as it gives the vehicle a lot more protection during the journey but then you have the issue of being able to get it out of the container at this end.

thanks, have you got one lined u? If not, how will you locate one?

And have you priced them up over there, just to see if its worth the work involved opposed to the money saved over here?

Have you any examples i could view?
Pm me if you'd prefer.

Hi Timmm,

Sorry for the delay, I've been on holibobs!

I did the full pricing exercise about 2 years ago using a live example of a kombi for sale and it appeared to be a worthwhile exercise then, as I have only just restarted the project my contact in Brazil is now looking for some good examples, as soon as he has one I will share the photos and details etc.

ok.. thanks Anders.
be interesting...