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Subject Topic: Done it! Bought a caravan in France Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonJoannaLesley
25/7/2022 at 8:53am
 Location: South Northamptonshi
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Well, we have finally got what we wanted, a touring caravan stored in France. It's elderly, it's continental, but it will suit us fine.

Now to sort out dog care - we'd take him, but he gets very stressed in the car and doesn't like heat very much.

Oh, and maybe I could finally persuade OH to apply for the Irish passport he is entitled to...(assuming that other family members get around to finding all the paperwork

-------------
Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


Personbofs
via mobile 25/7/2022 at 9:49am
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Well done, so pleased you’ve got sorted. We were gutted when we thought we weren’t going to be able to store in France any more but fortunately we found a new storage acceptable to us and the insurance company while we were over there in May, so very happy and can’t wait to get back to the van at the end of August.


Personmgbgtv8
26/7/2022 at 4:30am
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Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 25/7/2022
Well, we have finally got what we wanted, a touring caravan stored in France. It's elderly, it's continental, but it will suit us fine.

Now to sort out dog care - we'd take him, but he gets very stressed in the car and doesn't like heat very much.

Oh, and maybe I could finally persuade OH to apply for the Irish passport he is entitled to...(assuming that other family members get around to finding all the paperwork

Will you tow your French caravan?


PersonVal A
26/7/2022 at 7:29am
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Quote: Originally posted by mgbgtv8 on 26/7/2022
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 25/7/2022
Well, we have finally got what we wanted, a touring caravan stored in France. It's elderly, it's continental, but it will suit us fine.

Now to sort out dog care - we'd take him, but he gets very stressed in the car and doesn't like heat very much.

Oh, and maybe I could finally persuade OH to apply for the Irish passport he is entitled to...(assuming that other family members get around to finding all the paperwork

Will you tow your French caravan?




If you do tow your French caravan make sure you have a UK plate made up with your UK car registration number on it. Make sure your UK Car insurer is happy for you to tow it, then it should be covered by your UK car insurance whilst towing. A French caravan has it's own Carte Grise and registration number, and requirements for servicing etc. I'm pretty sure that you can get it 'de-registered' (for example if you decide to take it back to the UK).


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


Personmgbgtv8
26/7/2022 at 7:46am
 Location: Neuvic_Entier France
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Val, a very sticky topic, to buy a French registered vehicle(as a caravan is) you have to be a French resident, If the seller has not put it through the ANTS system, uk plate and insurance should suffice. (not strictly legal) there is no longer any requirement for tests and servicing on registered trailers. just insurance





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PersonJoannaLesley
26/7/2022 at 8:07am
 Location: South Northamptonshi
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So far as I am aware, it is not French registered (although I will check). Previous owner was a Brit and, yes, we will tow it. Thanks Val for the tip about insurance.

We have a list of things to take out with us when we go - a number plate is at the top of that!

-------------
Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.


Personmgbgtv8
26/7/2022 at 8:13am
 Location: Neuvic_Entier France
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Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 26/7/2022
So far as I am aware, it is not French registered (although I will check). Previous owner was a Brit and, yes, we will tow it. Thanks Val for the tip about insurance.

We have a list of things to take out with us when we go - a number plate is at the top of that!

Sorry it was the continental bit that threw me in that direction


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


Personbilly
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 3:03pm
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If you buy a caravan in any continental country. Remove the number plate put your UK plate on the back & thats it. All legal to tow provided caravan is roadworthy & weight is ok for your car.

Your comprehensive car insurance will cover you for third party risk while towing & there is no legal requirement to insure a caravan towed behind a UK reg car. Provided your car insurance covers you for continental use you are good to go.

Post last edited on 26/07/2022 15:07:38

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Every day should be a holiday!


PersonKeyboard warrior
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 5:07pm
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Billy you are wrong.
If the caravan is registered it either has to be insured separately or deregistered to be towed behind a GB registered car.

If you just take of the plates you are effectively cloning a vehicle.


PersonJoannaLesley
27/7/2022 at 8:25am
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I've checked and it isn't French registered, so no problem there. We are VERY excited!

Now just dog care.....

-------------
Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.


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PersonVal A
27/7/2022 at 8:53am
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Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 27/7/2022
I've checked and it isn't French registered, so no problem there. We are VERY excited!

Now just dog care.....


That's good news Jo. Hope it all goes well and the caravan is a lovely 'new home in France'.


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


Personbilly
via mobile 27/7/2022 at 10:00am
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Quote: Originally posted by Keyboard warrior on 26/7/2022
Billy you are wrong.
If the caravan is registered it either has to be insured separately or deregistered to be towed behind a GB registered car.

If you just take of the plates you are effectively cloning a vehicle.

When you buy a caravan on the continent you obviously need to use same due diligence as you would in UK. You need to check caravan is sellers to sell whether private seller or dealer. I was taking it as a given that op had done that.

In most European countries caravans are registered with that country’s equivalent of DVLA same as cars & in most European countries vehicles are deregistered when sold & reregistered by new owner in that country. So when buying the caravan the previous owner should deregister it to comply with law of their country.

If caravan is sold to a foreign buyer not resident in that country & with foreign registered car then the foreign buyer needs to comply with the law of his own country.

In the case of a UK buyer caravans are not registered with DVLA. The Cris registration scheme is privately run & not a legal requirement. In the UK there is no legal requirement to insure a caravan separately as UK comprehensive insurance covers third party risks for towing. Obviously most UK users do insure their caravan though & usually UK insurers will insure European built caravans although some balk at makes like Hobby & LMC due to risk of theft so if buying a foreign caravan check first you can insure it with UK insurer if you want it insured.

So provided due diligence is carried out then once UK buyer has legally bought the caravan then they can remove previous number plate unless seller has already done so. Put on UK plate & tow away. It is now a UK caravan even if you intend to store it in France & not bring back to UK.

In French storage sites you will often also find Dutch & German reg caravans. Again it is ok to buy these from owner provided caravan has been deregistered in their own countries. Put your UK plate on & tow away. Obviously if caravan has been stored & used locally for a few years it may well need a service & new tyres to make if safe to tow long distance.

-------------
Every day should be a holiday!


Personbilly
via mobile 27/7/2022 at 11:52am
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Also worth pointing out if you are offered a UK built caravan stored abroad that some large late model caravans stolen by organised caravan thieving gangs in UK end up being used as site caravans abroad sometimes changing hands several times over the years.

As these are of little interest to foreign buyers they may be advertised to attract UK buyers. Should you buy a stolen UK caravan abroad & attempt to insure it with UK insurer usually Vin number is required. This will then be flagged as stolen when original owner was paid out. The new buyer will then be required either to pay original insurer current market value or return caravan to insurer to be sold to offset insurer’s losses. Ie you will be out of pocket a considerable amount.

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Every day should be a holiday!


PersonJoannaLesley
29/7/2022 at 8:48am
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That's good news Jo. Hope it all goes well and the caravan is a lovely 'new home in France'.


Thank you Val.

-------------
Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.



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