Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

Market for LHD Cali's in UK?

S

SteveStevenson

Messages
8
Location
NL
Vehicle
Just browsing
Hello everyone out there!

I am relocating back to the UK after 6 years in The Netherlands. I took delivery of a brand new MY23 Coast Edition back in February, which I absolutely love but it is LDH. Due to Brexit, I can import the Cali into the UK tax free as a returning resident but my question is, if I did want to sell it years down the line, would there be any market in the UK for a LDH Cali, or will it be a pain to sell and I might as well just sell it over here before I leave?

Any thoughts appreciated

Steve
 
Hello everyone out there!

I am relocating back to the UK after 6 years in The Netherlands. I took delivery of a brand new MY23 Coast Edition back in February, which I absolutely love but it is LDH. Due to Brexit, I can import the Cali into the UK tax free as a returning resident but my question is, if I did want to sell it years down the line, would there be any market in the UK for a LDH Cali, or will it be a pain to sell and I might as well just sell it over here before I leave?

Any thoughts appreciated

Steve
I believe there is a market, but it's a much smaller one and therefore significantly reduces value. Many people including me, wouldn't consider buying one. But I have heard comments before that if you are intending on holidaying in Europe alot it could be seen as an advantage.
I'm.not convinced myself though.
 
I’ve got a LHD T4 Westfalia California I’ll be looking to sell soon so I’m hoping there’s a market out there! I tend to agree, it’s a smaller market and people will definitely be looking for a saving to go LHD. It may be worth you selling it before you come back.
 
Sell and buy again. You may have to take a short term hit but the pleasure of not driving a LHD in the UK and the pain of selling one may be worth it in the long run. While prices are still good and deals in place, you might even be not far off breaking even.
 
If you want to continue to run a Cali, keep it. Having owned RHD and LHD Calis, the LHD works so much better, the RHD design is compromised. Driving the LHD in the UK is a doddle due to great visibility. If you want to sell it quickly though, sell it where you are. My LHD is for sale and not gone yet. No problem if in no rush, for the right person it‘s perfect and saves a good few quid, you’ll just need to be patient for them to turn up.
 
Depends on the specs of your Coast. The T6.1 Euro versions have a wider choice of engines and transmissions as well as other options, so you may not get what you currently have. A trouble free Cali is worth keeping. And if you are worried about resale value being hit by the LHD you can always take back over the Channel and sell it there.
 
I guess it depends on whether you can retain the Dutch registration? If so, I’d keep it. Having owned a Lefty for years I don’t give it a second thought so using your van here isn’t an issue.
To sell/re-buy will loose money.
If/when you sell, just pop the Dutch plate on and advertise it over there.
 
Bringing it into the UK will require Headlights, rear fogs (2 instead of 1 in EU or 1 on right side) and speedo in MPH.

If LED headlights then should just be a case of setting up options for compatibility of other items.

I'd say that it only makes sense to bring into the UK if ownership is planned for a number of years especially as the lower spec Coast won't be as appealing to the second user LHD market as an Ocean model. All part of the pros and cons.
 
We had a LHD T4 California for 9:years. Never a problem in use, better actually as you can see the kerb more easily. We chopped it in for our current T5 in 2012 and I was not aware of any cost problem being LHD.
 
Back
Top