[Alex]

Hi Everyone,

Can I get some opinions on shipping over a car from the UK. I have a ford focus hatch, 51 plate (2002), and reckon it would sell here for about £4k to £5k.

Are there many focus' in NZ - I have a worry that parts and repairs might cost a lot (read something along those lines in an emigrating book)?

Also, what sort of price would I be looking at for a "reliable" car similar spec to the focus - maybe a Japanese one?

I also read something about "steam cleaning" the car so you don't bring in any dirt / foreign pests etc - anybody had to do that? We don't have to be steam cleaned too do we? :laugh

Thanks for your help :nice1

[ShakerMike]

Alex

I'm not there yet, so don't put too much trust in what I say!

However, go to this site http://www.customs.govt.nz/default.htm and search for "car import" - there is a factsheet that might help. From what I have read here and there I think you are right about the steam cleaning. However, also browsing car dealer websites etc, the majority of cars in NZ seem to be Japanese, Holden (GM/Vauxhall) or FORD, so you might not have the problems you envisage when it comes to repairs and parts, particularly because a lot of Fords around the world seem to be the same cars but with different names and body kit....although there are others far more qualified than me to comment.

That said, we are flogging MOH's car because, even though it is a 51 plate, the costs of having a larger shipping container probably outweigh the value (Skoda Fabia!), and it's a European make, so definitely will be harder to maintain in NZ I would have thought.

In terms of NZ alternatives, use Google.co.nz and search "car dealers" in whichever area is relevant to you. You can get a pretty good idea of new and second hand car prices. It's probably a longwinded way of doing it, but it's helped me get an idea of budgets etc (sorry if that sounds like teaching your Granny to suck eggs)