I recently read a UK Government document which may put an end to RVs being imported into the UK - or at the very least, severely limit choice.
The various motoring departments in the UK (VOSA, DFT, VCA) are phasing-in the EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval Scheme (ECWVTA).
A PDF leaflet can be viewed at : http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/repository/ECWVTA%20leaflet.pdf - this is an older leaflet but you will see they actually have a motorhome pictured.
The full (boring) EC document : http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/sectionecwholevehicletype/statusofdirective.pdf
At the moment, motorhomes imported into the UK are excluded from any formal testing (other than random testing of dimensions etc).
The new ECWVTA scheme requires that every different make/model of vehicle has to pass a number of tests. These tests are completed by independant bodies and can cost SEVERAL THOUSAND POUNDS per vehicle make/model. Of course, you have to import the vehicle into the UK first, for it to be tested, and risk shipping it back should it fail.
For a large car manufacturer this testing is a small cost per vehicle when averaged out - but for a single personal RV import it would not make sense to do it.
Even if one of the large RV dealers in the UK decided to have a vehicle tested, THEY would then own the document confirming the vehicle has passed the tests.
If you wanted to import that same make/model you would have to pay for testing yourself (several thousand pounds) or pay that dealer for a copy of the report. How much do you think they will be charging a private importer (maybe several thousand pounds) ?
If the dealer is paying all this money for each of these tests/reports I think they will limit the range of vehicles they sell.
Wanting to understand the situation, I emailed the team administering ECWVTA and asked;
"Can you tell me if the new rules regarding ECWVTA relate to imported American motorhomes (RVs) from April 2012 (as they are currently exempt from testing). Also do the rules apply if the RV is imported under a Transfer of Residence scheme?"
Their reply clearly states;
"From 29 April 2012 all motorhomes submitted to DVLA for UK registration will first have to undergo an IVA inspection, similar to todays SVA. American motorhomes are unlikely to have type approval, which is the other possibility. There is no exemption for personal imports."
So, I think we are getting close to the end of new RVs being imported into the UK.
Of course, that should help the resale value on existing RVs as the supply dries up.
Paul
PS Also, anyone thinking of importing a HGV sized RV needs to be aware that the driving test is about to change and will be harder, so don't leave it too long to take the test.
[edit]Changed subject.[/edit]
The various motoring departments in the UK (VOSA, DFT, VCA) are phasing-in the EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval Scheme (ECWVTA).
A PDF leaflet can be viewed at : http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/repository/ECWVTA%20leaflet.pdf - this is an older leaflet but you will see they actually have a motorhome pictured.
The full (boring) EC document : http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/sectionecwholevehicletype/statusofdirective.pdf
At the moment, motorhomes imported into the UK are excluded from any formal testing (other than random testing of dimensions etc).
The new ECWVTA scheme requires that every different make/model of vehicle has to pass a number of tests. These tests are completed by independant bodies and can cost SEVERAL THOUSAND POUNDS per vehicle make/model. Of course, you have to import the vehicle into the UK first, for it to be tested, and risk shipping it back should it fail.
For a large car manufacturer this testing is a small cost per vehicle when averaged out - but for a single personal RV import it would not make sense to do it.
Even if one of the large RV dealers in the UK decided to have a vehicle tested, THEY would then own the document confirming the vehicle has passed the tests.
If you wanted to import that same make/model you would have to pay for testing yourself (several thousand pounds) or pay that dealer for a copy of the report. How much do you think they will be charging a private importer (maybe several thousand pounds) ?
If the dealer is paying all this money for each of these tests/reports I think they will limit the range of vehicles they sell.
Wanting to understand the situation, I emailed the team administering ECWVTA and asked;
"Can you tell me if the new rules regarding ECWVTA relate to imported American motorhomes (RVs) from April 2012 (as they are currently exempt from testing). Also do the rules apply if the RV is imported under a Transfer of Residence scheme?"
Their reply clearly states;
"From 29 April 2012 all motorhomes submitted to DVLA for UK registration will first have to undergo an IVA inspection, similar to todays SVA. American motorhomes are unlikely to have type approval, which is the other possibility. There is no exemption for personal imports."
So, I think we are getting close to the end of new RVs being imported into the UK.
Of course, that should help the resale value on existing RVs as the supply dries up.
Paul
PS Also, anyone thinking of importing a HGV sized RV needs to be aware that the driving test is about to change and will be harder, so don't leave it too long to take the test.
[edit]Changed subject.[/edit]