Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Manchester · Frequent Guest Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

Hello all. I found this thread from mooching on Google. I learned more about this topic from this thread than I have been able to find in weeks elsewhere!

Maybe some of you will know me from other forums, I am a Brit married to a Russian lady and I am a mod on one of the many forums on that topic.

I was looking to make contact with an honest used car dealer (yes I know its a contradiction!) in somewhere like Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Novgorod, Velikie Luki, Smolensk or the EU border regions, especially in or near Estonia.

When I was in Poland/Lithuania/Latvia recently, on my way to Estonia, there are vast volumes of used cars being took up there from Germany, Holland, France etc, through Poland. Some continue on into Lithuania, some go sideways into Belarus, Ukraine and other places including Russia and the Stans I am told.

Does anyone know anything not covered in this thread about the used car export market from the EU into any of these countries?

Despite Russia being Left Hand Drive, I am told by some that Right Hand Drive cars are accepted by many in Russia at a lesser price, I can understand that in the East near Japan, (as Japan is RHD) but has anyone seen any Right Hand Drive cars in the West of Russia in any significant numbers?

I am thinking probably Mercedes cars or vans mostly, as thats where my product knowledge lies.

I was hoping to take one or two up to Estonia on a regular basis and sell them to a Russian who can collect in Estonia, or an Estonian who takes them into Russia. The situation with the import taxes I would assume is manageable by a Russian speaker who is experienced in the field and has the necessary contacts? Locating such a Russian is the hard part.

Also, I am told that the Moscow and St Pete market in used cars is dominated mostly by Chechens, does anyone know how much truth is behind that? I am not against taking them over into Russia but I would feel happier doing the deal in Estonia, which if with a Russian, entails a Visa for him.

Looking at the volumes of cars going up through Poland and Lithuania, many on Russian Registered trucks, (so obviously Russia bound) suggests that some people have the importation issues licked.

Any of you guys have an opinion on the possibility of this with Ukraine or Belarus as another possibility?

Any opinions, ideas, links etc are most welcome, (or PM's welcome also of course.) Anyone who feels they may have the contacts or may be in situ to take advantage of this idea, or at least discuss it further can feel free to get in touch also. Very Happy

vox16 · WayToRussified Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 321

Having nthing to say re contacts, nevertheless...

[/quote]
Despite Russia being Left Hand Drive, I am told by some that Right Hand Drive cars are accepted by many in Russia at a lesser price, I can understand that in the East near Japan, (as Japan is RHD) but has anyone seen any Right Hand Drive cars in the West of Russia in any significant numbers?
[quote]
There are not so many RHD cars near western border - simply logstics issues. As for choosing between similar LHD and RHD cars - RHD cars are considered somehow handicapped. So they cost less that their LHD equivalent; it is more or less compensated by "Japanese quality-3 year old - no mileage in Russia-etc" bullshit, but if RHD car has no such benefits over LDH equivalent.

Manchester · Frequent Guest Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

vox16 · WayToRussified Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 321

Manchester · Frequent Guest Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

Maybe they do pay it all, but that tends not to be the Russian way in my experience.

I read on here the hassle one can expect taking one car across into Russia, these guys who have a truck full must have a faster system and I doubt the truck drivers are paying taxes on the border for 6-12 cars at once.

I recall when I have driven up to Estonia on the route I described pre EU, when each country had a slow laborious border, the Russian Car Transporters were able to take the VIP lane and sail through the customs unmolested. One would suspect in those times that was not entirely unconnected to an envelope of dollars changing hands at each border. Laughing

What I am trying to establish I guess is that if there are avenues that allow experienced (Russian) traders to enter Russia with cars without too much hassle, they would be more agreeable to collecting them in Estonia as from Moscow to Narva and back can be done within the day. Unless there is a tried and tested route they use from Lithuania to enter Russia further south than Estonia would allow.

I am thinking aloud here really, any input is most welcome.

lanik · Just Starting Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

It is possible, but ....
Please talk to someone who lives in Russia and better find your buyer beforehand. He might be willing tol absorb all the fees. I know that the year of the vehicle matters - 2005 is the top. It is amazing when some Americans think that they know it all and give smart advises on matters they have no clue about.
Laughing

ru2044 · Just Starting Joined: 27 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

Hi, I have a question to everyone.
Me and my 2 friends consider a trip from Cracow to Irkutsk with my old Peugeot 306. We want to set up around 10th of October, so as to be in Irkutsk no later than 10th of November( to avoid thread of winter). After that we want to sell the car ang go back to Moscow by train. Is it possible to sell such a car in Irkutsk?or sell any car with foreign plates with no problem? I don't want to earn money on the transaction, I just want to get some money for our way-back. We will be able to spend around 2 weeks on selling the car. The car has polish registration plates. And of course the most important thing for us is not to have any problem with authorites.( I suppose when we enter Russia, they write in our passports that we have a car and I guess then it can be problem when we will be leaving Russia without car).
Is this a reasonable plan or just our sick imagination:)?
I afraid I will have a huge problem with selling that car and finally I lost of money on whole trip(taxes, bribes,permitions, etc.?)And we don't speak russian...
I will be very gratefull for any advice, cause we have to make decision ASAP.

blott · Just Starting Joined: 14 Nov 2008 Posts: 1

Hi,
We have a contact in Russia who can find buyers for imported UK brand new cars. Never having done this before, can anyone indicate just what sort of paperwork the Russian buyer of a new foreign car would have to complete to be able to take ownership, and how much this is likely to cost?

Are there reputable import companies operating in Moscow, St. Petersburg or Bryansk, that could make the importation as hassle-free as possible?

The alternative is for us to drive the car there and return by air.

Any comments or suggestions please?

Cheers,

Mike