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Despite the EU car industry's half hearted attempts at price harmonisation, identical new cars continue to be sold at vastly differing prices in various EU countries. The pricing is based solely upon what the market will bear, rather than a reasonable profit margin and as the UK is regarded as a high margin area, prices can be as much as 30% higher here than on the continent.

Although the European Commission has passed a law making it illegal for a manufacturer to prevent a dealer from selling cars to persons in other member states, the car manufacturers appear to do all that is legally possible to hamper cross border sales and attempt to maintain their differing price structures and thus their profit margins. The national-press, including The Times & Telegraph, have written articles on the price disharmony and now most consumers are at least aware that UK supplied vehicles are grossly overpriced. However, they have not managed to persuade the UK official importers to cut their margins. Buying in Europe remains the only sensible way to purchase your new car, but how best to do it? Select Automotive is here to assist UK buyers in this venture, removing the hassle, but retaining all of the benefits.

Select Automotive has built up longstanding business relationships with a network of suppliers throughout Europe. Our years of experience in dealing with suppliers has enabled us to discriminate on our client's behalf. We only deal with the best and work closely with them to ensure that we get the very best prices together with a supply framework that is both reliable and secure.

Why do Price Differences Exist

The answer lies in a combination of factors, including:

  • Different tax structures from country to country within the European Union.
  • Different standard specification levels from country to country within the European Union.
  • The strength of £ Sterling against other European Currencies.

The principal reason is varying tax levels throughout Europe. This includes not only Value Added Tax charged at differing rates, but also additional car taxes which are implemented by various governments, resulting in the pre-tax price of vehicles priced lower in some countries. More significantly some countries impose additional car taxes on buyers. "Luxury Car Tax" or the BPM, imposed in the Netherlands is 40%. As all export sales are carried out Tax-Free it follows that the base price of vehicles from countries like the Netherlands are considerably lower whether Left or Right Hand Drive.

Vehicles Supplied

All the vehicles supplied by Select Automotive are exactly what you would see if you took a trip down to your local main dealer. That is-:

  • Factory built right hand drive, full UK 2002 specification.
  • English Handbooks, Service Guides & Audio Guides.
  • Speedometer in MPH and UK headlights dipping to the left.
  • Full Pre-Delivery Inspection by European Dealer.
  • European Certificate of Conformity (Type Approval).
  • Vehicle Inspection, Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) & valet upon arrival at our Select Automotive European authorised dealership.
  • Delivery on covered Transport from Europe to the United Kingdom.
  • No temporary European transit plates or local registration.
  • First registration in the UK with DVLA.
  • Declared new at 1st Registration on V5 Registration Document.
  • UK plates, 12 months Road Fund License & Government 1st Registration Fee.
  • Full 2 years Pan-European Manufacturers Warranty valid throughout the EU.
  • Cars logged onto UK dealer system for acknowledgment of Warranty commencement & Recall Notices.

"Type Approval" is recognised as the main system for ensuring design and construction requirements are met. It is gained by the vehicle undergoing a series of stringent tests concerning environmental and safety issues.

A valid certificate of conformity shows that the model or "type" has been approved. EC law states that all cars must have an E Mark, without which they cannot be driven on English or European roads. All vehicles supplied by Select Automotive come with the latest E-Marking and the relevant "type approval" certificate.

Your car supplied by Select Automotive will indicate that it originated from the European factory, but this in no way differentiates it from other UK dealer's cars, which are similarly marked as new at first registration. In short nothing indicates that the car has been imported.

Upon arrival on English shores Select Automotive registers the vehicle with the DVLA as a 1st registered UK vehicle and deal with HM Customs & Excise finalising the Value Added Tax payment. The client finally collects from our head office in Leatherhead, Surrey where the car is available "On the Road" with 12 months road fund license, government 1st registration fee paid and UK number plates ready to be driven home. We complete all this before taking a single payment, we only receive our fees after you have collected your new car. The system is designed for your complete peace of mind, we save you money naturally but we also work hard to save you the stress that many associate with unconventional purchasing.

Warranty & Servicing

All cars supplied by Select Automotive Ltd come with the standard manufacturer warranty, which is classed as pan-European - valid in any country within Europe. This is fully applicable throughout the whole of the UK dealer network and European dealer network supporting the relevant manufacturer.

The majority of dealerships operate a 3-year warranty period on their vehicles. The additional warranty cover should be looked at a degree of scepticism. It is commonly only a dealer extension warranty providing reduced cover once the manufacturers warranty has expired. It is possible to purchase an extension to your standard manufacturers warranty either from a dealership or 3rd party supplier.

Protection against Currency Fluctuations

Whilst Select Automotive endeavours to offer the maximum savings to its clients on vehicles purchased through Europe, it has no control over the fluctuations in exchange rate. With final balance payments often settled 3 months after the initial order, the Pound value of your balance payment may be different to that calculated at the time of order.

Select Automotive offers a service which covers against the fluctuations in the exchange rate. Select Automotive will fix the exchange rate for the final balance payment to that at the time of order confirmation.