Question for those driving an import...

[f1fan]

Is anyone here driving a GTi that's an import? If so can you answer the following:

  1) What's the import history of your car?
  2) What's the difference if any to a UK spec model?
  3) How much less than a UK equivalent did you pay?
  4) When selling/trade in how much less were you offered because its an import?
  5) Does it bother you that it's an import & are you happy with it?

Would love to know your thoughts. Thanks!

[Eddie-NL]

I did look at importing a car a few years back

All imported cars would have the PDI at the supplying dealer. The warranty that was offered was a 2 year unlimited mileage and would start from the date of the PDI

Even UK supplied cars had this warranty , but had an extra 3rd year supplied by the dealer

The best imports were from Europe and that were imported by companies that specialised in vw imports. They made sure the specification was the same
The worse ones were the motorpoint cars from the Middle east and those that had a lot of items missing

(No Air Con, Climatic instead of Dual Zone, No Alarm)

[andrewparker]

1) What's the import history of your car?
It is all documented in the handbook. The car was bought by a UK based individual from a dealer in the Netherlands and imported to the UK. It has only ever been registered in the UK.

2) What's the difference if any to a UK spec model?
None at all, it is a UK spec car. It does have extras such as cruise control and highline display, but it is unknown whether these came as optional extras or standard on the car.

3) How much less than a UK equivalent did you pay?
I don't remember exactly. I bought it when it was one year old, and have had it for six years now. I'd say the difference was marginal though, certainly not huge.

4) When selling/trade in how much less were you offered because its an import?
No idea, I still own it. I'd guess that as time goes by it matters less and less. It a very well looked after car with low miles for the age. I'd hope that that would have more of a bearing on the selling price than it's import status.

5) Does it bother you that it's an import & are you happy with it?
Not at all. It never even features in my thoughts that it is an import. Had it been missing an alarm or dual-zone climate control (things frequently missing from import cars) then I might think differently perhaps.

Hope that helps mate.