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Has anyone recently bought a new touring caravan from an EU dealer and brought it back to the UK, particularly a Dethleffs or Fendt? I’m interested in the practicalities of importing and, especially, getting warranty work done afterwards.
We’ve spent several summer holidays in the south of France and are now looking to buy our own caravan for the next five or six summers while our children are young. We’d also do some UK touring, but France would be its main use.
After looking extensively at UK-built caravans, we haven’t found a layout and specification that really suit us. The European models appeal more. Indicative prices also suggest around £10,000 difference: the UK options we’ve considered are upwards of £40,000, versus under £30,000 for the European ones, although we’re still checking the full landed costs.
We’re happy to spend time and money collecting abroad. My understanding is that a properly arranged export can avoid foreign VAT, potentially through a refundable deposit, with UK import VAT payable instead. We’re not expecting a VAT saving; the aim is to get the caravan we want.
Our main concern is aftercare: discovering two years later that a substantial warranty claim is difficult to resolve, or having to return abroad for minor repairs. I appreciate that having a UK dealer network doesn’t necessarily mean a local dealer will handle a privately imported caravan.
For anyone who has done this recently:
-Which dealer and country did you buy from, and when?
-How did collection, customs paperwork and the foreign VAT refund work?
-Have you had servicing, water-ingress inspections or warranty repairs done in the UK? Who handled them, and did you encounter any exclusions?
-After all costs and hassle, would you do it again?
First-hand experiences since Brexit would be particularly helpful. Thanks.
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Topic: Buying a new caravan from EU: recent UK i
via mobile 26/10/2026 at 6:46pm
