Advice please: been sold a dodgy import by a VW dealer

[scottm72]

2008 the forums were full of people crowing about how they had got x amount off a new gti imported,now we have gone full circle,people moaning they have bought an import it was bound to happen.  I dont think the dealer has been particularly devious here,i suspect the info about the car such as the minor spec differences and extra 6 months were not known by the dealer at the time,but luckily for the OP they gave info which turned out to be false so will probably get a good end to it all.

good point but the dealer has to know things like whether a car is an import or not ( that's their job after all )
you have paid a lot of cash here, same as I paid 2 months ago for mine in very similar spec, mileage age etc although I have xenons etc,,,, you need your car so a refund is not the best thing as you have said,
if you don't want to go down that route maybe some kind of percentage refund might suit you, they cant really swap it for a better one as you are near the top of the tree with the one you got and I can bet you they wont be able to source another one as the dealers simply do not have enough gti's to supply demand, mk5 or mk6,
because the gti is so much more expensive than a basic golf they only sell one gti to every 100 normal golfs or something like that.
if it was me I would be looking for an apology
a good percentage back up to 30%
or an upgrade to an r32 or something with no cash outlay.
im only saying this as you said it is not convenient for you to be without the car.
if I didn't get what I wanted I would go to the press and name and shame them,,,,, would be warning them about this before hand though,,,, maybe by e-mailing their ceo directly. 

[simonp]

The optional extras on the car are:
1. Cruise control
2. Parking sensors
3. Leather seats (but not heated and headrests are not embossed with GTi logo)

All 3 of those could've been added by the previous owner. There's a sticker in the handbook with a bunch of codes on it that tells you the spec when it left the factory. My car had leather when I bought it, but had cloth seats originally and therefore has no seat heating...

http://vag-codes.info/files/options/vag-option-codes.pdf

[f1fan]

Hi everyone, sorry for not updating you sooner, it's taken a long time to get some response from the dealer after many phone calls with head office.

I finally spoke to the sales manager yesterday who said that they knew the car was an import when they bought it/traded it in and that when the sold it they priced it £2000 cheaper to reflect this.   I find that very very hard to believe as at the time although the mileage was a good (29k on a 3.5 yr old car), the spec was pretty basic and the price didn't stand out as being £2000 cheaper than other cars I had looked at.

The sales manager couldn't explain why the salesman hadn't told me the car was an import before I paid for it!   The sales manager also said they did an Experian check which said the car was first registered in Nov 2008, they didn't check with VW head office (even though they know the car is an import) to check the details of the car prior to import so they didn't know it was 6 months old when it was imported.

I'm waiting for him to phone me back this afternoon after he has discussed the matter with his superior.   I have no idea what will be offered, I suspect a very low amount of money.

ScottM72, thanks for your reply.  I'm doubting they will offer a refund.  I'm expecting to fight for cash, but I don't know how much.  I don't believe the car was £2000 under priced when I paid £12500 (forecourt price was £13000).  So 30% would be £3750.  I think that might be a big ask!?

[chrisr763]

I think its worth pushing for a lot therfore they can come back at you and settle somewhere in the middle where you would be happy with. This is IF they offer anything. I don't want to put a downer on your hopes but its never happened before.

I would keep pushing!  They lied!! 

[f1fan]

I think its worth pushing for a lot therfore they can come back at you and settle somewhere in the middle where you would be happy with. This is IF they offer anything. I don't want to put a downer on your hopes but its never happened before.

I would keep pushing!  They lied!! 

Cheers Chris.  I'll be pushing them, just hoping I don't have to go down the legal route.

[ArildStavrum]

I dont want to put a downer on it either but I'd be surprised if he even calls you back.

Really hope I'm wrong though, goodluck.

[f1fan]

The optional extras on the car are:
1. Cruise control
2. Parking sensors
3. Leather seats (but not heated and headrests are not embossed with GTi logo)

All 3 of those could've been added by the previous owner. There's a sticker in the handbook with a bunch of codes on it that tells you the spec when it left the factory. My car had leather when I bought it, but had cloth seats originally and therefore has no seat heating...

http://vag-codes.info/files/options/vag-option-codes.pdf

I've checked the codes from the sticker in the boot.  The full list is below.  Note it does NOT have cruise control or parking sensors and it says Fabric seats!!!!    

So the big question, if these were all after market fitted then what impact does that have on the car value.... is it worth even less??

Code   Description
0AE   Front stabilizer
0BF   Rear stabilizer
0GG   Emissions concept EU 4
0Y1   Standard climatic zones
0YC   Weight category rear axle weight range 3
1AT   Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
1G8   Breakdown set
1KY   "Disc brakes, rear"
1LL   "Disc brakes, front"
1NL   Covers for alloy wheels
1XU   Mass damper
2G7   Filler neck module 1 with insert
2JG   Body-colored bumpers
2UC   Sports version
3S0   Without roof rails/roof load rack
3U3   Luggage compartment cover with luggage net
3YR   Door pockets with insert mats
4K3   Radio remote controlled central locking operated from inside and safe securing
4R4   Power windows with comfort operation andcircuit breaker
4UF   Drivers and front passenger air bag with front passenger air bag deactivation
4X3   Side airbag front with curtain airbag
5MD   Decorative aluminum inserts
5RV   Outer right rear view mirror: non-spherical
5SJ   Outer left rear view mirror: convex
8AG   US RADIO STEREO CR.
8GU   Alternator 140A
8ZN   Antenna
B0N   "Component parts set, complying with vehicle type for Great Britain, various parts"
CG6   "Alloy wheels 7 1/2J x 17 3B7 601 025 A, offset 45"
D2L   "4-cyl. gasoline engine 2.0 L/147 kW 16V turbo FSI, homogeneous base engine is T59/T61"
E0A   No special edition
G08   Front shock absorption
G0K   6-speed manual transmission
H6L   Tires 225/45 R 17 91W/Y tire width restricted to 219mm
J0L   Battery 340 A (70 Ah)
L98   "Suspension range 98 installation control only, no requirement forecast"
N2T   Fabric seat covering
QG1   Service interval prolongation
T59   "Components for base engine, unit 06F.C"

[zerolag]

I would phone to organize a meeting with the manager at the dealership and present your case.  I couldn't have this hanging around - you have more than enough here to make the whole transaction look unlawful.  
An approved VW dealership is meant to provide a quality used car service you can trust... guaranteed... or so their spiel states: http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/used/what-approval-means#tab6

[f1fan]

Well I'm having phone conversations with the Sales Manager, he's in turn talking to the Brand Manager before coming back to me.  If it's not resolved satisfactorily then I'll have to escalate it.

Unfortunately the dealer is not local so it's a pain to get down there and see them.

[RedRobin]

.
It's important that you remain calm and polite but make it absolutely clear to them that you will take this case as far as necessary to gain satisfaction and recoup ALL costs as a result of what you consider to be their misconduct. Be prepared to take this case to VW UK - In fact I would make them aware of your case anyway.

Also, do not be afraid to go legal on this. Citizens Advice Bureau can help you get free advice and protect your consumer's rights. Be strong and positive about this or they will just take advantage of you.... Again!

Keep us posted  

[SteveTDCi]

Any idea if the was imported by motorpoint ?

You need to decide exactly what you want, do you want to keep the car, do you want the missing extras, do you want the difference back ?

Ask them to provide copies of the pricing to show the car was priced lower because it is an import, have a look on the vw used car locator as imports regularly come up on there, they are clearly marked as imports and at a cheaper price.

The dealer should be able to get pricing but make sure you get it for cap and glasses as they do differ, they should list px prices and forecourt pricing, obviously the actual price is at the discretion of the dealer.

Having nearly purchased an import ford puma I'm well aware of the reasons for not wanting one, we found out in time and managed to get our deposit back. Ours was being sold at uk pricing which is why we had an issue.

You could also try and get some px prices, try we buy any car etc, go through as if it's a uk car then put it through as an import and see if it makes a difference.

That said the dealer did notify you it was an import before sale, even if it was 5 minutes before cash was handed ove (just guessing here) you were well aware it was imported, they may argue you were told it might not be uk spec and if nothing is written down then it might be your word against theirs.

Also run the quotes based on the car being 6 months older than you were told, again use both cap and glasses pricing. It might be worth paying for some of the online prices. From this I would then write to th dealer explaining what you want from this, give them copies of the information and send it recorded signed for (special delivery) but you must decide what outcome you want before going any further. I'm guessing you can go as missold, if you like the car and your not bothered about the extras then you could keep the car and get some money back.

Good luck.

[f1fan]

.
It's important that you remain calm and polite but make it absolutely clear to them that you will take this case as far as necessary to gain satisfaction and recoup ALL costs as a result of what you consider to be their misconduct. Be prepared to take this case to VW UK - In fact I would make them aware of your case anyway.

Also, do not be afraid to go legal on this. Citizens Advice Bureau can help you get free advice and protect your consumer's rights. Be strong and positive about this or they will just take advantage of you.... Again!

Keep us posted  

Hi RedRobin

VW UK are already on the case as I went to them first to find out the true history of the car.  They phone me nearly everyday to see how things are going and to keep pressure on the dealer so I can't complain at VW UK, they have been really good so far.

I'll be looking at Citizens Advice tomorrow, will try to remain calm 

[RedRobin]

^^^^
That's very reassuring to know that VW UK are so concerned.

I do think that SteveTDCi's posted advice is also worth considering too - That is, what you would ideally want to gain from all this hassle.

To my mind there should be a compensation element included of some description. It's a matter of being reasonable in any demands you try to make.

[f1fan]

Any idea if the was imported by motorpoint ?

I think it was Motorpoint, I remember finding an old tax disc holder somewhere that I think had Motorpoint on the back.  I think I binned it though  

Ask them to provide copies of the pricing to show the car was priced lower because it is an import, have a look on the vw used car locator as imports regularly come up on there, they are clearly marked as imports and at a cheaper price.

I saw the car on the VW locator, it wasn't labelled as an import.  I printed it to PDF and kept it luckily so can prove that!

That said the dealer did notify you it was an import before sale, even if it was 5 minutes before cash was handed ove (just guessing here) you were well aware it was imported, they may argue you were told it might not be uk spec and if nothing is written down then it might be your word against theirs.

The dealer did NOT notify me it was an import before purchase.  I had already paid in full and was trying to arrange insurance when I discovered a problem with the car.  After I confronted them they admitted it was an import but was normal spec... I even asked what price difference there was on the import and the sales guy said it made no difference to the price.... funny as the sales manager is now claiming that it had been reduced £2000 because it was an import!!

Also run the quotes based on the car being 6 months older than you were told, again use both cap and glasses pricing.

Checked that this afternoon, the extra six months devalues the car by around £500.

[torque777]

Hope you get this sorted , glad vw uk are helping

sent using my own fingers