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How can you tell if its an ' Import ' ?


thedude74
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There are a number of threads with this information.

Look for a spare wheel - all UK cars have this.

Look for the non-smoking pack - standard on UK cars.

If it has a smoking pack, check which side the rear door ashtray is on.

Check for the GTI folder, the bottleopener, the manual in English, a UK dealer stamp (vs any non-UK European dealership).

Most importantly check for the year on the VIN. There have been some "old" cars made two or more years ago that are now being sold as "new" - well they are at first registration with delivery miles on the clock....

Is this what you've been offered?

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[ QUOTE ]

There are a number of threads with this information.

Look for a spare wheel - all UK cars have this.

Look for the non-smoking pack - standard on UK cars.

If it has a smoking pack, check which side the rear door ashtray is on.

Check for the GTI folder, the bottleopener, the manual in English, a UK dealer stamp (vs any non-UK European dealership).

Most importantly check for the year on the VIN. There have been some "old" cars made two or more years ago that are now being sold as "new" - well they are at first registration with delivery miles on the clock....

Is this what you've been offered?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes 2006 car that just been registered - not import

I have been thinking about this and cannot see any problem as it comes fully checked etc from VW dealer and 3 year warranty...

Any advice would be most welcome.

Cheers

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Visually you probably could'nt be sure, (if everything mentioned above looks to be UK spec).

However you could also check the documentation to see which UK dealer did the PDI (dealer stamp & date) and also ring VW UK to check their records on the warranty etc and what their record shows.

If you're still worried get the seller to confirm in writing that the car is UK supplied with a full 3 year warranty (rather than just being told).

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Sounds like it is UK supplied but I suppose it depends who you're buying it from as to how reassured you are.

There is a big difference between a VW UK 3 year warranty and just a 3rd party 3yr warranty (ie non VW warranty).

If it was me I'd be ringing VW UK with the VIN number to ask them what they had on their records. I'd also want it confirmed in writing by the seller that it was UK supplied with full UK VW 3 year warranty.

Motorpoint were selling something similar a few months ago, and the consensus on here was to leave well alone, as an 06 model is very old. However that car came with a limited warranty.

Motorpoint Thread

How amazing is your deal btw ? The more you tell us the more we can help 169144-ok.gif

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Thanks

I will call VW tomorroe to check it out.

In fairness why do you think a 2006 car is old ? And how can you tell when it was manufactured ?

I suppose when i call VW tomorrow they will have the answers.

Also i think the car i am interested in has just been registered as a leasing company own it and i have the option on it or it will simply be leased.

Cheers

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An "06" model was probably made in 2005......

Phone VW and ask what build week it was.....

This will tell you how old this car actually is.

Also regarding the SatNav, does this have the silver or black knobs? Only old cars have black - this is also a give away of an early MkV GTI.

Very importantly perhaps is to check this is a DVD version of the SatNav (not a CD version = very obsolete) and also check that the SatNav will play CDs (this is version C of the SatNav (not the obsolete version B).

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Remember to check it's UK spec and UK delivered.

Some cars have been sitting overseas - eg Dubai - unused and may be pretty poor bets.

Money-wise, a true import won't be massively different.

Also be aware that some UK dealerships have been parallel importing GTIs!

On resale it might be evident to some buyers (but not all) that there is a mismatch between the VIN year and the Reg Year.

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Hi

checked the VIN and it was built in 2006, also it has been PDI'd by a VW dealer and they confirmed that it is UK spec.

my only concern is the 2 yr warranty that is comes with which begins from date of first registration.

pro = very good price for the full spec ( minus leather ) and has the UK spec etc, also 2007 reg !

con's = warranty, part ex with VW garages , saying that tho i don't think i would part ex with a stealer anyway.

thoughts/advice ?

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I'd compare the price with the cheapest imports (cars4charities, Motorprovider & Simpledeal come to mind) and then decide if it's still worth it. Most of these will get you around 15% - 18% off list and will be a brand new MY07, or even MY08 model if you wait a month or two.

Are you saying the warranty is only 2 years (like an import) or 3 years (like a UK dealer supllied car) ?

Sounds like the car is well specced and if it's the colour & gearbox you want I'd probably go for it but only if the price is still significantly less than a new import.

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[ QUOTE ]

Hi

checked the VIN and it was built in 2006, also it has been PDI'd by a VW dealer and they confirmed that it is UK spec.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like dealer imported car to me. Which TBH is fine - so long as they aren't asking UK car money for it. Because you can bet your bottom dollar they'll give you less for it if you were trading it. 169144-ok.gif

VW Customer care will tell you for sure... 0800 711 811

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Its not from West Sussex Specialist Cars is it?

They have ordered quite a few GTI V which were manufactured from near the end of 05 to the beginning of 06. They are very high spec but they have no idea of their origin. These could be the same as the Motorpoint cars although the spec is slightly better and most importantly, they have 2 year VW warranty. The cars are listed as £18,995 which is a very good price. Their OTR charges seem a bit excessive though at around £600.

I called MotorProvider and got a quote of £19K OTR. Its a lower spec (I feel I don't need Parking Sensors, Sunroof 6CD etc) but it will be straight from the factory. Only downside is 18 week wait suicide.gif

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[ QUOTE ]

Parking sensors and Sunroof are well worth the £600 premium IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ordinarily yes, but at the price of having a car thats actually over 12 months old and without knowing where its been all this time?

I believe Motorprovider could add those 2 options at around £700.

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Don't want to drag up the past too much or indeed go off topic, but I think most people on here agreed (after much discussion) that Motorpoint should be avoided unless you are looking to buy a car they already have in stock.

I had one on order and had delay after delay (and lots of what I now know to be lies from them), as did others. In the end they stop offering GTI's made to order because of the bad press they were getting. I also cancelled my order in the end. However for stock cars their prices there prices are pretty much as cheap as you'll find...

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[ QUOTE ]

Motorpoint should be avoided unless you are looking to buy a car they already have in stock.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you confusing Motorpoint with Motorprovider?

IIRC the issues were:

Motorpoint - not UK spec and/or 'old' model years sold at discount.

Motorprovider - delays on factory orders. Cheap prices on stock (I bought one).

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