Importing a damaged vehicle from France…any pointers or advice?!

[NorthernMonkey]

To cut a long story short…

A friend of mines dad lives out in France with a  Discovery 3 that he’d previously took out with him and re-registered there.

Following a relatively minor not at fault accident a few years ago that damaged the near side front wing, doors and track rod, it was written off and subsequently purchased back from the insurance company whereupon he had it dropped off back in his barn with the intention of repairing it himself. Apparently though, this isn’t permitted over there (at least with second hand parts) so he’s reached a brick wall with it which is where the conversation between his daughter and I came in…would it be of any use to me?

It does actually drive as he’s replaced the track rod but the wing has been removed and the curtain bags have blown. This wouldn’t be an issue for me over here and in its favour, it’s a nice dark blue colour with very clean cream leather, full HSE spec and in good condition pre accident.

Downsides are it’s a 2006, £760 a year to tax, written off Disco 3 with 120k miles and it’s several hundred miles away over the water.

Any advice, pointers or recommendations to stop being so bloody stupid are more than welcome…positively encouraged, in fact…but I can’t help but think it would make one hell of a road trip!!

@Saabnut? Anyone?

Apparently, it’s in Boivre La Vallée if that means anything to anyone?

Moneys haven’t been discussed and I’m not sure if it could be cheap enough to make it worthwhile even if he paid me to come for it but these questions have to be asked… 🤨😂

[Gaffer]

Even if this thing was free I just can’t see how it’s worth it, these things are just so cheap now and there are so many to choose from that aren’t a boat ride away.

That said the trip would be a good laugh so if you’re coming from that angle then crack the hell on, but if it is a trip you’re really after I’d be finding something a bit more special to bring back. 

[NorthernMonkey]

I know, I know…as you say though, it’d be an entertaining jolly out there to repatriate the thing and it’s the right spec, being an HSE in Buckingham blue with tan leather and a two owner example with good history.

It does actually value at £3.5k retail according to CAP so it’s not a totally worthless basket case but then again, a Disco 4 isn’t that much these days. Mind you, they have chocolate engines and explode for fun whereas this is a relatively reliable 2.7 lump that’s just had all the belts etc done before the accident.

You can see where I’m trying to go with this, can’t you?

Also, I wonder if a reimported one would still be silly tax and have an insurance marker?! It’d be a significant bonus if it somehow landed in a cheaper RFL bracket…

[Gaffer]

I wouldn’t be so confident on the 2.7, I think we worked out that all apart from one discovery I’d either owned myself, bought and sold or a friend had owned, had blown up including my own that went bang twice in less than 2 years 😬

If you do end up with it I’ve a breaker here in Doncaster you’re welcome to take the curtain airbags out of for free…

[comfortablynumb]

52 minutes ago, NorthernMonkey said:

You can see where I’m trying to go with this, can’t you

Getting us to talk you into it?

Gwan, gwan, gwan etc 😁

' it's a holiday really..."🤣

[Saabnut]

OK, this is near Niort which strangely is where I collected a RR from. It is approx 400 miles from Calais. Ferry will be double because you will have a trailer. You will want to stick to the Peage so add about 150 euros in tolls. Getting the Carte Gris (logbook) into your name as a write off will be a nightmare. Even if free, I would pass.

Best option is take a trip down to Chez Saabnut, about 100 miles closer. No need for a trailer. Sit under my Linden tree with cold beer/wine. Get back home and don't buy a D3 locally. You will have had a roadtrip with all the best bits and saved yourself a lot of grief and money  

[panhard65]

Points to remember before bringing motors over from France are you now need a customs agent to sort the paperwork. They will want at least £100 for that. Then as less than 30 years old there will be 20% vat on it which if you get it very cheap isn't too bad. You really would have to want this particular car to make it remotely worthwhile. I might be down that way in October delivering a Renault Fregate.

[NorthernMonkey]

4 minutes ago, Saabnut said:

OK, this is near Niort which strangely is where I collected a RR from. It is approx 400 miles from Calais. Ferry will be double because you will have a trailer. You will want to stick to the Peage so add about 150 euros in tolls. Getting the Carte Gris (logbook) into your name as a write off will be a nightmare. Even if free, I would pass.

Best option is take a trip down to Chez Saabnut, about 100 miles closer. No need for a trailer. Sit under my Linden tree with cold beer/wine. Get back home and don't buy a D3 locally. You will have had a roadtrip with all the best bits and saved yourself a lot of grief and money  

Yep.

There, folks, speaketh the voice of reason.

I knew it was the right answer…I think I just needed to hear it from someone out there! 😂

[panhard65]

If you were to think of registering in France try https://www.eplaque.fr/    They may be able to help or at least tell you it is pretty much impossible like they did with my Cadillac

[NorthernMonkey]

2 minutes ago, panhard65 said:

Points to remember before bringing motors over from France are you now need a customs agent to sort the paperwork. They will want at least £100 for that. Then as less than 30 years old there will be 20% vat on it which if you get it very cheap isn't too bad. You really would have to want this particular car to make it remotely worthwhile. I might be down that way in October delivering a Renault Fregate.

Once again, cheers!

If you fancy an accident damaged D3 for not too much whilst you’re there, I’m happy to pass details on 👍

[panhard65]

I might be interested so pics would be good. I have a garage out there.

[NorthernMonkey]

 

2 minutes ago, panhard65 said:

I might be interested so pics would be good. I have a garage out there.

I’ll message you some pics. If you are interested, I’ll check with John and make sure he’s happy for me to pass his number on…I’m absolutely sure he will be 👍

[mat777]

Just to add, I don't think anyone has pointed it out yet. You now *cannot* register a previously written off imported car. The DVLA will ask for evidence of write off status during the import process and will deny granting the car paperwork. 

This was implemented to stop all the chancers who were slapping destroyed middle eastern Challengers and Mustangs back together and selling them cheaply over here 

[Dave_Q]

Is the re-registration as complex as a new one?

Do you not just send off a V62 under the original UK reg, if known?

[warninglight]

So what everyone is saying is you definitely couldn't* fly over, affix the original UK plates and a UK sticker to said Disco, and drive it home?

Would it be worthwhile even if you could do it that way?

[NorthernMonkey]

8 hours ago, warninglight said:

So what everyone is saying is you definitely couldn't* fly over, affix the original UK plates and a UK sticker to said Disco, and drive it home?

Would it be worthwhile even if you could do it that way?

I can neither confirm nor deny that thought ever occurred to me.

And no, tbh, it still probably wouldn’t.

 

[Zelandeth]

On 02/09/2025 at 12:46, Dave_Q said:

Is the re-registration as complex as a new one?

Do you not just send off a V62 under the original UK reg, if known?

Surely that won't work in this instance as there will already be a marker against the original reg/VIN showing it was previously exported.  So they'd want to see all the same paperwork to prove it was actioned the same car returning to the country not someone trying to ring one using that ID.

[Pete-M]

I towed a damaged van from France last year. My pal fell asleep when driving it and clattered a Rappel sign at 120 kph on cruise. 

Bringing it back to the UK involved borrowing a Shogun and a trailer and dragging it home. 

Customs weren't even slightly interested in it.