Buying an Import

[crafto]

Hi Guys,

Looking for some advice please.

What are your views on buying an imported car? I have come across a 09 golf edition 30 for 14.5k from an Audi dealers, which to me is a great price but I was immediately aware that there could well be a downside an after speaking to the dealers they confirmed it was indeed an import. Can you guys shed any light on issues that I might have to deal with if I was to buy it? I know there can be problems with warranty etc as EU cars only have 2 years and UK are 3. Also what was the latest registered edition 30 I was under the impression they were only ‘58’ at the latest.

Cheers

[matski]

My Mk5 is from Malta and was imported to the UK. I know VW do offer a limited warranty for imported cars - it still covers pretty much everything. Speak to the Audi Dealership and see if they can give you a warranty in the sale. I'm sure its fine though considering you're buying from a main dealership!

[Richn83]

If it was an import it was probably sat waiting for its first registration hence late reg, there has been a clutter of new MK5 GTI's that are delivery mileage on 10 plate so dont worry about that.  As you say warranty could be an issue, and as you have seen they hold a lower price in the market so you can expect that to continue when you come to sell it on.

[S2 Ant]

Import models only have 2yrs Warranty, not 3, the 3rd year is provided by VW UK, which if imported, it wont have. Unless they offer you some kind of warranty with the car of course, but the standard 3yr thing wont be applicable.

My experience on this kinda thing is that imported cars tend to be of higher spec as the cost of the car is usually lower, so you get more for your money and if you're planning on having the car for a while then resale value shouldnt really be such an issue, esp as when cars depreciate this gap that seems to appear between import and Uk cars will narrow.

Personally, once a car is outside of warranty, as long as the car is UK spec i dont see what the issue is with UK car or Import car with UK spec yet people dont seem to want to pay the same money for them - makes no sense to me at all.

[welikeaps]

^^^ you make some valid points there. I guess the issue for most people will be the insurance as they always want to know if a car is imported.

I don't know whether the premiums for imported cars are the same or less. Any ideas?

[skifast]

i bought an import which had come from holland via motorpoint .it was 3 years old when i bought it and about £2000 less than uk car.abs unit broke at 31/2 years .took it to main dealer who confirmed it was an import logged the problem(abs) i contacted vw cust service who did the replacement under goodwill 100% parts 90% labour, so probably same as uk car.