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Second Hand Cars

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Second Hand Cars

Message posted by Denisew on 26�April�2005 at 2:59pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Denisew

Corfu

Hi Guys

I know that this question has been posted before - But just wondering if anything had changed over the last few months - We would really like to get a small cheap second hand car to leave in Corfu for our hols etc. I would really like an Automatic - as I am not convinced I will ever get a handle on left-hand drive, Understand that Automatics are as rare as hen's teeth!! Have read all the stuff on Importing cars - but is it poss to get one in Mainland Greece then bring it in or does that still constitute Importing from another country?? Any help hugely appreciated

Many thanks in advance

Denise

Message posted by London_Greek on 26�April�2005 at 3:28pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

London_Greek

Corfu

Hi Denise

Unlike other EU countries where it is relatively easy and cheap to bring your UK car over and change plates for the relative country you are in, Greece (as usual!!) and for some strange reason have kept onto their archaic law whereby if you want to have Greek number plates, you will have to pay a fortune in duty! to Customs. For example, you may buy a 2nd hand BMW for �5000 and they will ask around �15000 in tax!

However if you are willing to bend the rules (I am not saying I condone!) then you can do as many other people have done and literally drive your car there and leave it. The only way you may get caught is by someone grassing to the authorities. The only problem doing this is trying to find a way to update your UK road tax!

You are legally allowed to keep your car in the country for I believe 6 months!

Hope this helps

Message posted by Denisew on 26�April�2005 at 9:27pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Denisew

Corfu

Hi London Greek

Thanks for getting back to me - I know there is a big issue with importing cars - I really wanted to know if by buying a car on the Mainland (say Athens) would that constitute overseas Plates etc??

I don't want to buy a UK car - and would happily buy a second hand Corfiot car - just don't think there are many automatic ones!!

cheers

Denise

Message posted by MartynG on 26�April�2005 at 10:17pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

MartynG

Corfu

Hi

I can't see any reason why you should pay any extra tax by purchasing a car in, say, Athens and then moving it to Corfu - all the same country etc.

Presumably you would ahve to give Corfu as your place of residence for the licensing authorities at the time of purchase and of course, you would need a residents permit in order to buy the thing in the first place.

The tax you pay when taking a UK registered car into Greece and keeping it there is a registration tax, not "import duty" as such. The only taxes goverened by EU law are Import/Customs Duty and VAT. All member states are free to set whatever taxes they wish, outside this regime. Interestingly, the UK has an ever-increasing range of vehicle registration taxes, where there were none a few years ago. Hey Ho!

Martyn

Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 26�April�2005 at 10:42pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Dave and Kerry

Corfu

where would someone find out how much tax they would be expected to pay to keep their own uk car on corfu?

Message posted by London_Greek on 26�April�2005 at 11:48pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

London_Greek

Corfu

MartynG

Yep you are correct! asked my father who clarified it for me. However, Greece's "registration" tax really is ridiculously high!

With regards to buying a car in Athens, you are free to do that and keep it wherever you wish in Greece as MartynG states. Just like in the UK, I can buy a car in Glasgow and drive it to London where I live.

However, buying an automatic car; especially a small one is nigh on impossible in Greece. For some reason (again may be a Government thing)automatics are very rare! Believe me, if you can, just buy a small call with a standard gearbox!

Message posted by Denisew on 27�April�2005 at 4:44pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

Denisew

Corfu

Thanks all guess I just have to get on and learn to drive manually with the other hand!!! FEet are the same aren't they??

Cheers

Denise

Message posted by greeceishome on 28�April�2005 at 12:10pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

greeceishome

Corfu

Quote: Originally posted by josepipe on 26�April�2005
where would someone find out how much tax they would be expected to pay to keep their own uk car on corfu?

It depends on the age of the car. The following is quoted from http://www.greeceishome.co.uk/kb/kb.asp?fIndex=27:

Each vehicle imported in Greece will pay registration duty. Theoretically illegal under EU law, it happens. To work out how much you will need to pay, take the original purchase price (as declared to Greek customs by the manufacturers) and for each year of age take off 7%.

For example, let's say Ford declared to the Greek Customs 2 years ago that a Fiesta cost �6,500. Regardless of how much you bought it for, the registration duty would be:

6,500 - (2 x 7)% = �5,590

Extras 1: But, what happens if the car was never marketed in Greece? How much was the original purchase price? The Greek Customs will probably guess for this figure.

Extras 2: Some Customs Officials will calculate on 140% of the original purchase price, so it may well be �9,100 instead of �6,500!

Extras 3: The ultimate responsibility for establishing this figure often rests with the individual Customs Officer you are dealing with. In which case you should be extra nice to him or her.

Extras 4: Don't forget to add 19% VAT!

Message posted by ecotrails on 28�April�2005 at 1:06pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

ecotrails

Corfu

Hi Greeceishome

Is the info you've provided a calculation of the value of the car at any time as a base point for tax purposes, i.e. the tax you pay will be some percentage of this calculated figure.

Ian

Good fun this importing cars stuff, isn't it?

Message posted by greeceishome on 28�April�2005 at 1:48pm - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

greeceishome

Corfu

As I understand it the tax is the calculated figure, not a percentage of it. It's pretty damn steep.

Message posted by SLD on 24�May�2005 at 12:46am - IP Logged Legal Disclaimer

SLD

Corfu

Hi there, most Greeks I know actually buy their secondhand cars from the mainland, I believe there is quite a big difference in price. Hope this helps and good luck in finding your perfect car.

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