P38A P38 vague value?

Good afternoon, I have been offered a P38. I sold my last one a few years ago. Since then, I have been keen to get another. A friend has a car that will be up for sale in the next month or so. However, he has no idea what it’s worth and neither do I. Can someone help?
Details.
1. No previous owners. He has had it from new.
2. Totally factory original.
3. Circa 250k but complete engine rebuild (top hat liners) about 10 years ago.
4. Fair condition
5 4.0 Not Vogue but specked to vogue level.
6. Manual. That must be rare.
7. No MOT as on French plates and located in France. Has French MOT
8. I have known him and the car for 20 years.
9. Tan (biscuit) leather. Interior very good - accept headlining.
10. Regular problems with battery drain and immobiliser if left too long.
12. Metallic Dark Green (Epsom?)
13. Good history (full but some lost)
14. Non sunroof
Just a vague idea would really help.
Many thanks,
Charles.

Probably not a lot of help but it’s what it’s worth to you

Charles Banbury said:

Good afternoon, I have been offered a P38. I sold my last one a few years ago. Since then, I have been keen to get another. A friend has a car that will be up for sale in the next month or so. However, he has no idea what it’s worth and neither do I. Can someone help?
Details.
1. No previous owners. He has had it from new.
2. Totally factory original.
3. Circa 250k but complete engine rebuild (top hat liners) about 10 years ago.
4. Fair condition
5 4.0 Not Vogue but specked to vogue level.
6. Manual. That must be rare.
7. No MOT as on French plates and located in France. Has French MOT
8. I have known him and the car for 20 years.
9. Tan (biscuit) leather. Interior very good - accept headlining.
10. Regular problems with battery drain and immobiliser if left too long.
12. Metallic Dark Green (Epsom?)
13. Good history (full but some lost)
14. Non sunroof
Just a vague idea would really help.
Many thanks,
Charles.

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Guessing with import duties on parts these cars aren't worth a lot in France? @Datatek would have a better idea.

Battery drain is easy to fix. Probably needs new air bags all round. Not so fond of the tan myself but if you like it great. I would have said €1k - €2k but prices were high before the fuel crisis.

Prices can and do vary so much
Do you intend to bring it back to the UK?
I would guess its could be at the higher end of the price scale, BUT 250k is alot, the engine work will help with confidence, how many miles on that engine?
If he's had it from new I would say is a plus point.
You dont actually state the year of the car, apart from saying you have known him/car for 20yrs

J

marjon said:

Prices can and do vary so much
Do you intend to bring it back to the UK?
I would guess its could be at the higher end of the price scale, BUT 250k is alot, the engine work will help with confidence, how many miles on that engine?
If he's had it from new I would say is a plus point.
You dont actually state the year of the car, apart from saying you have known him/car for 20yrs

J

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The rest of the vehicle will still have done 250k.I thought it was a typo or a model I've not heard of before,P 38 Vague.

Grrrrrr said:

Guessing with import duties on parts these cars aren't worth a lot in France? @Datatek would have a better idea.

Battery drain is easy to fix. Probably needs new air bags all round. Not so fond of the tan myself but if you like it great. I would have said €1k - €2k but prices were high before the fuel crisis.

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Prices are much higher here than in the UK for the diesel. The V8 was never that popular, don't often see them.
Import into the UK post Brexit could be expensive in terms of VAT and duty if owned for less than 6 months, just re-registering the car is expensive these days from what I have read.
You don't say what year the car is.

Many thanks everyone. It’s a 1995 car. Bought and registered in the UK and here all it’s life until about 3 years ago. UK registration on retention. So, I assume, drive back on French plates and re-register to the original UK number, MOT and insure. Absolutely hadn’t thought about import tax. Will research. Airbags probably need doing and multiple other things. Mark Smith in Bicester is my local specialist. Is the manual a plus or a minus? I like the uniqueness and it has to be more reliable than an auto at that mileage? £1500? Must be worth that if it gets back from the south of France!? The green and tan leather is perfect for me. Just getting old!!

Mark Smith did the engine rebuild. Probably 85k on it. All going from Oxfordshire to the south of France.

Also, thank you!

4.0 manual, 1 owner that you know, no sunroof, decent spec
Sounds Interesting.

Manuals a bonus if you ask me. R380 is pretty bomb proof, original clutch worth asking about if you intend to drive home. Ask your mate how long suspension holds up driving back on bumpstops won’t be fun.
Top hatted at 80k suggests to me it was looked after.
Is 250k miles or kilometres?

Make sure your breakdown cover is up to date

Miles. As said, was in the UK all it’s life. Went to his holiday home and put on French plates when he upgraded to a new Range Rover for UK use . He is a car collector, loads of metal in the UK, US and France. Most pre-war. It’s an interesting project. But…. What to offer? Can’t be many manual P38’s with no previous owners about!

I’ve it’s got a retention certificate here just drive it back and re register it surely you won’t have to pay import tax for a once registered British car

Charles Banbury said:

Many thanks everyone. It’s a 1995 car. Bought and registered in the UK and here all it’s life until about 3 years ago. UK registration on retention. So, I assume, drive back on French plates and re-register to the original UK number, MOT and insure. Absolutely hadn’t thought about import tax. Will research. Airbags probably need doing and multiple other things. Mark Smith in Bicester is my local specialist. Is the manual a plus or a minus? I like the uniqueness and it has to be more reliable than an auto at that mileage? £1500? Must be worth that if it gets back from the south of France!? The green and tan leather is perfect for me. Just getting old!!

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Manual is better in the 4.0L. more sprightly - you might be surprised. I think you can change the clutch without having to take it all apart as well.

Given where fuel prices are and the age and the fact it is the less popular 4.0L I'd say my original estimate stands without seeing the car and knowing what work it needs.

Charles Banbury said:

Many thanks everyone. It’s a 1995 car. Bought and registered in the UK and here all it’s life until about 3 years ago. UK registration on retention. So, I assume, drive back on French plates and re-register to the original UK number, MOT and insure. Absolutely hadn’t thought about import tax. Will research. Airbags probably need doing and multiple other things. Mark Smith in Bicester is my local specialist. Is the manual a plus or a minus? I like the uniqueness and it has to be more reliable than an auto at that mileage? £1500? Must be worth that if it gets back from the south of France!? The green and tan leather is perfect for me. Just getting old!!

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What do you mean, you need wipe clean seats?

Thanks very much everyone. As ever, solid and level headed advice.

Charles Banbury said:

Thanks very much everyone. As ever, solid and level headed advice.

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Sorry, must try harder

Charles Banbury said:

Thanks very much everyone. As ever, solid and level headed advice.

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Re-register it on UK pates before driving it back, then you should not have a problem.

Datatek said:

Re-register it on UK pates before driving it back, then you should not have a problem.

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Without passing an MOT it would not be road legal. As mentioned earlier it needs to be driven back on French plates then MOT & re-register in the UK. It won't be road legal in the UK if driven by a UK resident so the French owner needs to drive it (or be sitting in the car).

French car insurance includes breakdown cover but usually only covers taking the broken down or damaged car to the nearest garage. Unfortunately it seems impossible to buy insurance that includes recovery back to home or preferred specialist garage.

nigelbb said:

Without passing an MOT it would not be road legal. As mentioned earlier it needs to be driven back on French plates then MOT & re-register in the UK. It won't be road legal in the UK if driven by a UK resident so the French owner needs to drive it (or be sitting in the car).

French car insurance includes breakdown cover but usually only covers taking the broken down or damaged car to the nearest garage. Unfortunately it seems impossible to buy insurance that includes recovery back to home or preferred specialist garage.

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A French CT is or was valid in the UK for the purpose of driving the car to the UK. Why would it not be legal in the UK if driven by a UK resident? I can drive French hire vehicles to the UK no problem.
The French break down cover certainly is only recovery to the nearest dealer in my case, but if the UK plates were on it, AA/RAC cover could be obtained before the trip, the same applies to UK insurance. I don't see the problem unless you think ANPR cameras are going to pick it up. Even if you were stopped, proof of the French CT is likely to be accepted by plod if it was said that the car was being used in France on UK plates as many Brits have done for years per-Brexit.

Just get it booked in for an mot at the nearest place to a the ferry or train port. As long as you have an appointment your OK. Then do the tax online. Job done.