I am planning to purchase a new Superb in the UK, but it is likely that, in the reasonably near future, I will be moving to France and will need to register the car there. I was comforted by the fact that the headlamps are switchable between left hand and right hand dip, but, when talking to Skoda UK, they advise that the headlamp units are different in the UK and in mainland Europe. The person that I spoke to had experience only of re-registering the cars in Germany, and there the authorities insist on the replacement of the headlamps with right hand dip units. This is a not inconsiderable cost on an Elegance!

Does anyone have any experience of re-registering in France, and whether they encountered this, or any other problems>

I don't have any relevant experience, but this article might help/shock you

http://www.frenchpropertylinks.com/essential/registering-car-france.html

Having read this and if it was me, I would buy the new car in France!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the left / right dip does is flat beam the light, its not a true RHD to LHD conversion. To pass EU testing you need a full set of correct LHD lights, which on the superb are very expensive.

I would also wait and buy the new car in France, has the added advantage of making the car easier to sell later because the steering wheel will be on the French side.

Have you tried sourcing a left hand drive car from Skoda UK. Under EU rules they have to make it possible to order one, as this was proven in court for buying right hand drive cars in Europe. Several years ago, when the price differential use to be a lot higher, manufacturers like BMW were taken to court to force their German, Dutch etc dealers to sell RHD cars.

So they did, however, they may choose to not make it commercially viable by charging a levy and not offering any discounts.

Cheers

Steve