How we import an RS6 from Germany

Bringing an Audi RS6 Avant from Germany to the Netherlands sounds like a logistical routine. In practice it's a chain of small decisions - inspection details, transport choice, BPM paperwork - where one misstep turns the whole project slower or more expensive. This article follows a recent import from brief to driveway, with the mistakes we avoid and the trade-offs we make.

The brief: specific beats flexible

We start every import with a detailed brief. Not just make and model, but trim, option packs, colour combinations and year preferences. For this RS6 the wish list was unambiguous:

• Avant body (not Sportback)
• Performance pack
• Carbon pack (interior and exterior)
• Model year 2022 or later, maximum 30,000 km

The sharper the brief, the faster the selection. The German market has plenty of inventory, but without a filter you spend weeks comparing candidates on subtle trim differences.

Selection: not just price

Our contacts at authorised dealers in Germany surfaced six candidates within ten days. Four were out immediately on colour and pack combinations. Two remained. On paper the cheaper of the two was the logical choice - but the second-owner history was unclear, and not every service was done at Audi.

Cheaper at purchase is more expensive at export. A missing stamp costs you two weeks and a nervous warranty conversation later on.

We chose the second candidate: €1,500 more, but full Audi history, one first owner, and an options list that matched our brief exactly.

In-person inspection before agreement

A photo set doesn't replace hands on the car. One of us drove to Munich and spent the better part of a day with the vehicle:

1. Visual inspection of panels and paint-thickness measurements per panel
2. Underbody check on couplings, exhaust, suspension and signs of repair
3. OBD readout for any pre-cleared fault codes
4. A 90-minute test drive on both city and motorway
5. Document check: history, key count, original first registration paperwork

On one point the car deviated from the listing - a stone chip on the bonnet that wasn't visible in the photos. We negotiated €800 off and proceeded.

Transport: enclosed trailer, not open carrier

We don't drive our acquired vehicles to the Netherlands ourselves. On an open carrier you get insurance complications; on an enclosed trailer it's faster, dry, and no extra kilometres on the odometer. Our regular transporter collects within 48 hours of agreement. For this RS6 the car was on our forecourt in Amstelveen within three days of the deal.

RDW & BPM: where it gets concrete

The Dutch RDW technical inspection is identification plus visual and functional checks. Not difficult if the car is sound - but a lot of paperwork. We book the appointment and attend the inspection ourselves so any question is answered on the spot.

The BPM filing is where many importers leave money on the table. We use both the depreciation schedule and the actual condition of the vehicle - substantiated with photos, mileage records, and a valuation. For this RS6 that saved €4,200 versus a flat tabular filing.

Delivery: more than handing over the keys

We don't deliver just a car, we deliver a file. At handover:

• Full Audi history in a folder
• BPM filing and RDW documents in your name
• Keys (original plus spare)
• Our delivery photos for your archive
• A walkthrough of Audi connect, warranty status, and the next scheduled service

Want to know more about our import approach or do you have a specific wish? View our import service or get in touch directly.