Shipping my SUV to the UK

I would get a quote from whoever is moving you over. If your company is paying for it you might ask if you can get a separate contract for you car.  If that is not the case I would go with a bigger name company.

If you are going to be over in the UK for a short time you may want to store it in the US. (I let my parents use it for 2 years.) Gas is expensive. I had a Honda Civic and it was about $70.00 (£35.00) to fill it up each time. This was a year ago and gas prices have gone up.

Parking is going to be a problem. You will fit into a space but the spaces are small so expect dings from other car doors. I have also seen some bigger SUVs not fitting in the space all the way because of the length.

You will be able to sell it in the UK but remember most people want the steering wheel on the right side of the car. Everything is set up that way so you will have to adjust. One example is getting a parking ticket in a hotel parking lot. You have to either reach over to get it or get out of the car and get it. Good Luck

I am planning to ship my beloved Volkswagen New Beetle convertible when I move to Harrogate in October, so I can understand your situation.   

I've gotten quotes for RO/RO (roll-on/roll off) shipping for $2000 - $3500.   Considering that my car is almost brand new (less than 17k miles, 2006) and how much it would cost to get a comparable car in the UK, shipping the car was a no brainer for me (throw in the fact that I passionately love my car, and it wasn't even a question).

My moving company (who shipped our household goods) recommended a company called "Reindeer" for auto shipping.  I can't vouch for them personally, since my husband's company won't pay to ship a car, but I've been very impressed with the moving service, and would be surprised if they recommended an inferior car shipping company.


Edit:  One more thing I forgot to add, and it was the most important!  I was told by a couple of German friends of mine (who are here in the States) that US cars are actually quite popular in terms of resale (if you decided to sell your car eventually).  According to my one friend, US crash test safety standards are actually more stringent than EU standards, so for Germans anyway, a US-market car would be more desirable than a similar EU-market car.   I know that this might be harder for an SUV, what with gas prices and the relative size and whatnot, but it's something to think about.   This was in the context of discussing shipping my beloved Beetle, and that I could make a fortune if I sold it after I got to the UK (this option is not on the table because as I said before, I freakin' love my car.)

If the car is not paid for you might want to check with whoever you make the payments to, they might not want it taken out of the country.

Hi there,

Have a look in the transport section where over time quite a number of posts like this have been asked.

Just some points.

1. Just because a car happens to be an 'SUV' doesn't automatically mean it's a 'polluter'. Some cars that are much much smaller on the UK roads from around 10-20 years ago pollute more than a modern SUV.

2. I've not heard that USA crash tests are more stringent and therefore affect resale value of a USA car here in the UK to be worth more. I'm no expert, but I'd like to think the USA and UK crash tests have similar safety values in terms of the same car that's available in both markets - in this case mentioned  a 2006 VW Beetle. I can't get my head around that the car would be built 'differently' in terms of safety/crash testing in the UK and USA markets. Possibly something to look into. In terms of buying a USA car here, I've never seen this reason picked out as a benefit to buying a USA and bringing it here.

3. Definitley go for a enclosed container to transport your vehicle. The cheaper RORO or 'open container' type means your vehicle is put on a frame which is open to the elements - this risks damage and of course means your vehicle will arrive here absolutley filthy

4. The Road Fund License increase has not been made mandatory yet. Talk is that it's likely not to go through but as ever, anything can happen with the government. I just got a Road Fund License renewal for my 2003 F150 Harley at £185 for 12 months. I'm paying £205 for my Diesel BMW Touring and the F150 is 2.4 litre's greater in capacity! Once your Denali is SUV tested here, it'll be given a Band rating depending on it's emissions level. From that you'll be charged according to the weighting on that band. Currently I think my BMW Diesel is the 2nd from highest at £205 per year.

5. The latest moving headlamps you find currently on prestige marques would still need setting up for the UK. when the vehicle is pointed ahead, the headlamps will still be focussed to the opposite side when in the uk. You'll need to get that checked by a specialist, I think Denali's are GMC which 'I think' is General Motors, so may pay to visit a US dealer there and get the headlamps re-aligned - see if they can get the correct settings from a UK GM source.

6. I do have a contact who has a USA vehicles Import Company - and I can put you in touch with him about the shipping company he uses. In July 04, the F150 Harley came over on RORO, and we were very very surprised it hadn't suffered any damage - he right away said you're lucky, and should have come over on a closed container - it's more money but would've been worth it had there been damage to the vehicle. 2004, we paid around £1250+VAT for the shipping, I think fully enclosed was around £1850-2000 ish +VAT - so expect prices to be proprtionally higher now. Let me know, and I can pass you my contacts details and you can obtain a quote from him.

7. I also do know of a specialist LPG conversion company with the expertise to convert USA vehicles that are in the UK. Let me know if you want their details. For the F150 Harley, I think they quoted me £1750+VAT to do the conversion - as yet we haven't done it, as we drive it relatively infrequently compared to a few years ago.

8. Insurance - the 'usual' companies do load on Left hand drive cars. However, insurance is a real variable - so many other factors come into play that the premium you are given usually is quite reasonable - and that depends on getting the right insurance company. I pay a very reasonable £950 fully comp, 2 named drivers on the F150 Harley - not bad at all (full NCD) - go to Adrian flux insurance - http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/ as they specialise in USA vehicles and allsorts of special vehicles that most mainstream insurers have never even heard of! - it's who I and Paul 1966 goto and I highly recommend them.

Lastly - exjerseygirl - look very carefully at your USA Beetle and then compare to getting one here - I don't obviously know how deep yer pockets/ how fat your purse is, but generally, for a normal 'bread and butter' type car (the Beetle) it won't make sense to ship it over - may as well sell it there and pickup a similar aged one here for most likely less outlay than bringing your beloved example over - dont forget import duty, SUV test charges, Parts to meet UK spec - will be added to the cost. So, just a heads up on that really!

Hope this helps

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

On the variance between US and EU crash tests.. I can only say that that was what I was told by my German civil engineer friend; I have no idea whether it's true or not (or whether it was true at one time and is no longer or whatever).

There is simply no comparison on price, though, especially considering the exchange rate.  A comparable, non-convertible, base model VW Bug costs at least $1000 more than I paid for my fully-kitted out convertible (heated leather seats, power everything, the works) (then again, I bought it on eBay from a guy going to jail for money laundering, so I paid about $3000 less than its true market value) .  I've owned the car for more than a year and have no intention on selling, so no problems with taxes.   Plus, I am only going to be in the UK for less then three years and fully intend on bringing it back (I'm beyond logic in love with my car).

We're also living in an area with a lot of American cars due to military transfers, so I've been fortunate enough to get a line on someone who can redirect my lights and install the rear red fog light for a song.

I warned my husband before he took the transfer: move me, move my car. 

Hey girl, its clear you love that car, so go for it.
On the day when the sun comes out you'll love to be able to put the top down.
Being LHD you'll save all that time having to walk around the car to get to the sidewalk(pavement), beside the possiblity of being knocked down by a passing car. Got to think of all these things. You'll also get out of the rain faster!
Happy motoring.
Joining the AA is a good investment in the UK. They are more professional than the AAA in the US. IMHO.

Yep, I think my car is 'full size'.  '66 Plymouth Belvedere 2, still running fine and carting around campers and such. 

Nice!      I think the Belvedere was marketed as a mid-size by that time, with the Fury being classed as the full-size Plymouth, but I can't remember the precise details.

2. I've not heard that USA crash tests are more stringent and therefore affect resale value of a USA car here in the UK to be worth more. I'm no expert, but I'd like to think the USA and UK crash tests have similar safety values in terms of the same car that's available in both markets

I know at one time the U.S. standards were certainly stricter.  Even things like the British Jaguars had to be fitted with the heavier bumpers etc. for the American market in the 1970s, as well as having a lot of extra emissions equipment added.

I've not really followed the details of recent developments closely, but from odd things I've read I get the impression that these days the standards have converged somewhat, and manufacturers selling the same model into different world markets will tend to leave as much as possible the same, only changing things which are specific to the requirements of the country concerned, such as lights.

The Road Fund License increase has not been made mandatory yet. Talk is that it's likely not to go through but as ever, anything can happen with the government. I just got a Road Fund License renewal for my 2003 F150 Harley at £185 for 12 months.

I hadn't heard of the Denali model before, but a quick search on the name reveals that GMC made it from 1998 onward.  That being the case, the age will play a part in the road tax.

The graduated tax scheme with vehicles grouped into emission bands only came into force for new vehicles from 2001.   Existing vehicles remained in the existing two-tier tax scheme.   A new high band was added a couple of years ago, again only for new vehicles from that date onward.

The proposed tax changes with huge increases for higher bands will be backdated to 2001 models, but at the moment everything suggests that pre-2001 cars will remain under the old two-level system, so if the SUV is one of the earlier Denali models, you'd be paying the flat £185 per year the same as most regular pre-2001 cars (the lower rate of £120 is for engines less than about 1.5L / 90 cu. in.).

The latest moving headlamps you find currently on prestige marques would still need setting up for the UK. when the vehicle is pointed ahead, the headlamps will still be focussed to the opposite side when in the uk.

High beams are normally set directly ahead of the car whether LHD or RHD.  It's the low beams which are the problem, since for LHD they direct the beam down and to the right whereas for RHD they need to deflected down and to the left.  It's not usually possible to achieve the correct alignment simply by adjusting the lights.

go to Adrian flux insurance - http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/ as they specialise in USA vehicles and allsorts of special vehicles that most mainstream insurers have never even heard of! - it's who I and Paul 1966 goto and I highly recommend them.

Ditto.   They're also pretty good at seeing if you are still getting the best deal at renewal time rather than just giving you the option of staying with your present underwriter.  I've just renewed on my '87 Bronco II, and although they had me with Equity Redstar for the last couple of years they've now transferred me to Trinity Lane to keep the price down as much as possible -- £161 last year, £169 this year (TPF&T).

Edited to add:

These are the annual tax rates which are in force at present:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10012524

These are the changes which were proposed in the last budget, earlier this year:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Budget2008/DG_073093

Wouldn't his headlights have to be repointed for driving on the lefthand side of the road as well?

That along with getting amber turn signals installed on the rear end, and getting a fog light installed as well.

On the day when the sun comes out you'll love to be able to put the top down.

OMG this just made me spit out my proverbial water
 

That along with getting amber turn signals installed on the rear end, and getting a fog light installed as well.

The third point of contention being amber parking lightson the front.   As I said earlier though, it depends very much upon the individual MoT inspector.  Even though the inspection manual  lays down the requirements of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, some inspectors take the pragmatic approach to imported vehicles and allow the rules to be bent a little.

I use an MoT station a few miles away and the guy there is one of good ones who is willing to let things like that go on a car which was not made for the U.K. market.  He's always passed my lights, despite the combination red brake/turn signals, the amber front parking lights, and the lack of a rear fog light. 

You do have to shop around though.

When I moved over here I looked at shipping furniture, etc. I say if it's something that makes you happy and you want to have go for it. 

One thing though, and not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but I think road tax will be going up considerably for SUVs (or cars that are determined 'polluters') Maybe this is only for  Scotland and not England. Sorry this sounds a bit vague but my memory is a bit foggy about what they were going to do about this.

Good luck bringing your car over and I would agree with the container and shipping it out in the open.

The car tax rates are the same across the U.K., and the proposed increases will affect all vehicles back to 2001.  Older models will remain under the basic two-level scheme (currently  £185 per year for anything in the SUV category).

Current rates:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10012524

Proposed changes:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Budget2008/DG_073093

The third point of contention being amber parking lightson the front.   As I said earlier though, it depends very much upon the individual MoT inspector.  Even though the inspection manual  lays down the requirements of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, some inspectors take the pragmatic approach to imported vehicles and allow the rules to be bent a little.

I use an MoT station a few miles away and the guy there is one of good ones who is willing to let things like that go on a car which was not made for the U.K. market.  He's always passed my lights, despite the combination red brake/turn signals, the amber front parking lights, and the lack of a rear fog light. 

You do have to shop around though.

Or leave some beer in the boot.

 

- Car is Yukon Denali, fully loaded.
- Car does have certain value in the UK market as well if I need to sell it later on.

Now my original question... Any recommendations on the shippig company?

Thanks.

It will have a certain value alright...next to '$0', if you think prices are falling there wait till you get here!

I have had a Tahoe 'modified' for UK, inc rear fog, side flashers, beam adjustment etc. here; they may also advise on shipper:

American Carriage Co
144 London Road , Kingston-upon-Thames, KT2 6QW
Tel: 020-8549-3151