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ForumRead Message
| Subject: | Bringing my Volvo to France |
| Date: | Monday, June 06, 2005 |
| Name: | Kurt Cumming |
| Message: |
Hello,
I am considering shipping my 2002 Volvo XC to France, but am worried that with its American specs it will be difficult to find appropriate repair and service facilities. Any insights or opinions as to the availability of Volvo services? |
Replies Posted 5.
| Name | G. Douglas |
| Message |
I arrived in a neighboring country, in Oct. 2005, with my two Mercedes Benz motorcars, one a partially restored '72 280SE 4.5 and the other my beloved '88 300TE, both California cars. In Germany, which is very much like France, there is a rigorous inspection, and though the 300TE was rust free and in excellent shape, they did find four rubber parts they wanted changed, even though the MBz dealer said they did not need replacing. Also, euro headlights were required, which I believe they will be in France, as well. For the paperwork providing us with the Euro Vin#, we have had to pay Mercedes Benz 100 euros, and we are still waiting for it to arrive, three weeks later. I suggest contacting a reputable Volvo dealer, to ask which parts need changing out, and if you have rust, you may have a problem. Ask the dealer to assist you in getting the Euro vin# and documentation you need, as well. He should help you. Also, we found a good resource in the receiving port entity, in Germany, who handled our customs clearance for us. They recommended a service which would do the change out for us, but they were very, very expensive. The list of what had to be changed, which they supplied, was very helpful, though. Try your shipper's French agent for references, as a last resort. Volvo should be your first call.
Good luck. |
| Name | Christine |
| Message |
I brought my VW Golf to France, from the States, and things initially went very well. My car passed the "Controle Technique" and the DRIRE helped me get an exemption for the difference in windshields and seat belts (I needed to get my tires changed anyway, so that was done upon arrival in France). The DRIRE has actually been quite helpful. The Prefecture which has to print your "CARTE GRISE" is the problem. European cars made for the American market have and American VIN number. This VIN number is different from the European number. Apparently these numbers mean different things in Europe and the software at the Prefecture cannot print my CARTE GRISE which I need to get French licence plates. The Prefecture insists that my car should have a "European" VIN number and wants to know where it is. Of course my garage claims my car only has the American VIN number. Volkswagen is not helpful at all and basically tells me I should not have brought the car in the first place. So I have been driving around with foreign licence plates for quite a while now, but really would like this resolved. I have been pulled over by police and customs, but because I carry with me the whole file of correspondance they don't seem to care.
Anyone any suggestions? Are there really two different VIN numbers on one car? Thanks, Christine. |
| Name | Kurt Cumming |
| Message |
Thanks Simon and Richard for the solid advice, I appreciate it.
The Volvo-France folks were kind enough to send some information, and I thought that perhaps this might be helpful to others. Apparently the French organization DRIRE will perform an inspection and mandate certain changes. Interestingly Volvo would make no assertions or predictions as to the results of this inspection "given the human element" involved. I hope I get the inspector after a good night's sleep and hearty breakfast. :-) Here is what he said will be checked. - Lights (Front and rear): if no european-marking, a change may be asked since spare-parts are available in France for this vehicle - Noise & Emission: depending on the engine & date of production, emission level might be different to european one, if so, what might be asked is a test to be performed on your vehicle to control its conformity. In this case, the DRIRE will tell you where to go to have it done) - Safety-Belts: Even if safety-belts are the same and come rom the same supplier, the conformity label attached at the bottom of the safety-belt might not be there depending on the date of production. Since this label is mandatory for europe, what might be asked by the DRIRE is for you to contact me in order to establish a new attestation stating that safety-belts are in different (as though, this should avoid you to change them) - VIN plate: The VIN plate (aluminium plate in the engine compartment) is not fully in line with european regulations (weights are missing underneath the chassis number). If the DRIRE is asking for the VIN plate to be filled in, you xill need to go to a VOLVO dealer who will take it off and send it to me with copy of document from DRIRE on which data they want to see on it appear. Thenafter, I fill it in, send it back to the dealer to be fixed on the vehicle as quick as possible. - Tyres: the DRIRE will control that on the side of the tyre as well as the size of it appear the load index and the speed category (mandatory in Europe and though in France) Anyone out there have any experiences with DRIRE that you wish to share? |
| Name | Richard |
| Message | In 1999 we brought our 1997 Honda CVR and had no problem from the States. In 2002 we returned to the States. In August we will be returning to France, this time with our 2004 Honda CRV. No problems are expected. It is very possible for you to bring your Volvo. One thing I would check is whether the particular model that you have is available for purchase in France. If it is it is likely that you can succeed without to much worry. Otherwise it could be risky. |
| Name | Simon Dodkins |
| Message |
Hi Kurt, Volvo are a European maker so I would imagine you will find official Volvo dealers all through France without problem. I'd check their website for specific locations. As for bringing a US specification vehicle to France, I'd not recommend it. Admittedly my experience was the other way around (I took a UK spec car to the Caribbean) but it was a nightmare to get the correct spares and parts and more than once I had to bring parts back from the UK in my luggage! Added to that, if your French is not good you will have the double trouble of explaining in a foreign language each time what you are trying to do. Just my 2 cents of course. Simon |
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