Parents in law are moving to France and are looking to buy two cars, one of which needs to be a small auto, Yaris, DS3 etc.

Does anyone have experience of importing and registering a car in France? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it raised before here.

Registering our FF in Spain was a faff and expensive, but I’m sure France is cheaper like-for-like.

Used cars in France are expensive and the choice is limited. We are thinking of buying a newish Spanish Registered car and importing it to France. Seems there are more cars, better choice and cheaper here in Spain. Even with registering costs it would would out cheaper.

Anyway, thoughts welcome 🙏 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

How's your French? If you need to, stick it in Google translate and you will get a good enough idea.

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1050

Have done three.

Calculation of cost: https://www.service-public.fr/simulateur/c...riculation

Calculating cost would depend on the vehicle so you would need to wait until you have decided on one. For information, the horsepower (CV) used to calculate this is a particularly French idea and is "puissance administrative which is afiscal number. Eg. My 3.6Tdv8 is 13 cv.

Hope that helps for starters. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

I have registered many over the past 30 years.

No real problems providing that all paperwork is complete and that the vehicle is "totally factory standard".

Because registration is now only done online when you have all the necessary documents together you are probably best to use a qualified garage/registration company. They will charge a nominal fee, but will see through the process and help deal with any problems.

Cheers, Rich

@Weegie PM sent L322 3.6 TDV8 Vogue. 07MY
ML 320 7 Seat full leather etc. (The Black Pearl)

Agree that using a qualified, registered agent wou.d be the easiest way for them.

@Rich, Nothing received as yet. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Just a small correction my 3.6Tdv8 is 20cv on the Carte Grise. Was going from (failing ) memory last night.

Thanks Rich.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Thank you all, appreciate the comments.

I shall share these with my father in law 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto