Trailering a car from the continent - advice?

About 99.9% chance of getting pinged by something automatic if you drive over and everything that goes through a British port will be auto checked.

I bought my Rover P5B in the UK and brought it to Holland. As i didn't had a decent towing vehicle for a heavy Rover, i rented a single car transporter. This drives much more comfortable then a trailer and used the Eurotunnel to get over. As i needed to pick up the Rover near London, i managed the picking up in 1 long day. I think i payed approx Euro 350,- without fuel. You could also consider using Shiply which is a kind of marketplace for transport. You can drop the transport there and shippers quote a price for you. The may combine it with another shipment which could give low prices. I used it once and payed Euro 70,- to get 4 wheels from the UK to Holland.

Peter

That sounds only slightly less dodgy than running rebel and hoping to not get caught.

That's an interesting proposition Mr bickle.

Ok, I bring the occasional early Twingo across. I've 3 in the UK right now, 2 Uk registered, I waiting.

First I track a vehicle I want close to Lille, usually on Leboncoin. It'll take a few before a vendor takes you seriously. I prefer MOT type failures, because the French test is rubbish anyway/ they all need welding whatever/ and because they are therefore cheap & the vendor desperate!

I ( or Google translate) explain that I will prepay a 50% deposit in advance, if we can agree terms! and that with a one way ticket! I'm having it!
Once pics, questions are satisfiied & ID confirmed I PayPal, bank transfer or whatever the 50%. I ask him to ensure there is at least 15 litres of fuel in the car- I want to pick/ chose my stop- 15 litres will get me to the Uk, if pressed. So, if it has a weak battery, or suchlike, no stops needed. Dial it into the agreed price.

I then book the Eurotunnel train from Ashford Internationsl to Lille, one way. There is one train daily, around 9am that's dirt cheap if book iit a couple of weeks in advance. Takes about an hour, less if you get off at Calais Frethun, an option if the cars on the coast

I give the vendor the date & eta.

On the day I pack an overnight bag inc a pair of Uk plates, a big GB sticker, Union Jack rubbish etc, (& a few tools!) to make myself look like a tourist. Vendor picks up from Int Station( there's a huge, dirt cheap car park there, dead easy) and we adjourn to collect.

Check the car over , always been ok so far, Outstanding funds paid, paperwork completed and it's mine.
I add U.K. stuff for a straighter run back, taking the risk & it's about 2-3 hours to the tunnel.

If it's really shonky, and/ or you want to retain the French plates, it's just over five miles ( in the wrong direction!) to the Belgium border, and the long way round. You are less likely to get tugged as a foreigner, too much hassle, so that may be the safer route if it's illegal.
If that's a problem, ask him to CT it( Mot). Even a fail gives 2 months legal use- whilst you sort it out!

2 miles from tunnel I revert to French plates, clean it up, whistle through and drive to Ashford, where the tow car from this morning is waiting. Hitch up the A frame stashed in the boot, and hit the M20.

There and back in a day, easily, minimal cost or disruption.

Thats the mechanics. It would have to be very special or a total bargain right now, frankly. But that'll change. Bide your time.