Importing your car

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 10:10 am

If it's UK spec, you don't have to advertise it as an import. You only have to confirm it if asked. If someone wants to pay Â£14k for a second-hand car when you can have a brand new one for the same money, where's the logic?

You'd also be losing out on a year's warranty on the second-hand one...

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 1:32 pm

I thought it was 2 years with import and 3 years for U.K. car.

While a large proportion of car buyers have doubts about imports there will be a a differnce between prices of import and UK cars. Whether they new or used. If the they have doubts about imports or are ignorant of them people will still pay more fro a UK car. You may not see it as logical but dealer wouldn't advertise a used car at 15k if they didn't think they could sell it near that price. Personally I can't see the logic of buying a used car when you could get a new one from the dealer for a few 100 more and get the exact spec you want.

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 2:24 pm

It's 2 years wherever you buy it in the EU. The extra year is an extended warranty whether it's bought (or given free) from a UK dealer, an importer or whoever.

Anyway, irrespective of however many years it is, if you buy a 1 year-old car, you're losing out on 1 year's warranty.

And if they buyer doesn't ask if it's an import, how can they have any doubts about it?

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 2:41 pm

Any one who buys a car without asking whether its an import and checking all documents including warranty is a fool.

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 2:46 pm

Sorry had to post again nothing to do with thread just triskaidekaphobic

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 3:47 pm

... triskaidekaphobic

OK, I'll bite. What is it????????????

:

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 5:13 pm

Fear of the number which comes after 12 and before 14

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 5:29 pm

Any one who buys a car without asking whether its an import and checking all documents including warranty is a fool.

How so? As long as all the service manual is up to date, the registration doc is valid, why should it matter if it didn't go directly from the manufacturer to a UK dealer?

The ONLY difference with a UK spec import is that it passed through a non-UK dealer instead of a UK dealer on its way to the customer. The warranty is exactly the same.

If it's being bought second hand then there's absolutely no difference to the buyer. Any remaining warranty is just as valid. Rejection is not an issue. Insurance companies don't give a damn as long as it's UK spec.

What do you think will happen now that the block exemption has been lifted? Once Tesco's et al start selling cars, second-hand prices will be the same wherever you got the car from. The main people to lose out on this will be those who bought from a UK main dealer at UK prices. They'll be the ones losing more money on resale than anyone else.

Why pay Â£14k for a second hand car when you can get a brand new one from JamJar, Virgin, Trade Sales, Tesco, Asda, your local Ford dealership etc.?

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 6:02 pm

Why do people shop at Sainsburys when Asda is cheeper

Why by coffee from Starbucks for Â£3 when you can have instant at home for 5p

Why go to the pub when you can drink at home for less

It is the nature of the market some people will pay more if the think they are getting a better service whether they are or not.

As the car market changes so will the franchise dealer. They will not all die out.
They will not be as cheep as car supermarkets. They will have to offer a better service than cheaper suppliers. If the dealer was as cheep as an importer why buy an import.

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Sat Oct 19, 2002 12:53 pm

Why do people shop at Sainsburys when Asda is cheeper

Good example. Sainsbury's is losing more and more ground to Asda.

There will always be people who insist on a certain service whatever the benefits/disadvantages may be. The point is, the gap will narrow. Once more and more people buy imports or from non-UK dealerships, the difference in prices both retail and resale will narrow.

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Mon Oct 21, 2002 1:09 pm

By the way, I've just noticed in Virgin's Ts&Cs:

25.5 your Car is free from defects in materials or workmanship, and you will obtain the benefit of any manufacturer's warranty under the same conditions that would apply had your Car been purchased in the United Kingdom. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the right to reject your Car and obtain a replacement at the same time and under the same conditions that would apply had your Car been purchased in the United Kingdom.

Rejection doesn't seem to be an issue then.

essexcc · Post by **essexcc** » Fri Oct 25, 2002 12:36 pm

I had my Moonstone SE imported via Jamjar.com.. saved 3k, delivered to my door, no probs!

1 month longer to wait than if I had brought it from my dealers! Car arrived as quoted with thankfully no dents/problems.

ladymxenna · Post by **ladymxenna** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 7:51 am

Well i can't believe it's nearly three years since i started this thread. I've come full circle now, from talking about the importation of my lovely car, to talking about selling it.

It's amazing how prospective buyers are expecting considerable reductions in selling price because it's an import! I didn't actully anticipate that!

With three years hindsight, would I import again? The answer is no. Prices were higher three years ago. They've come down a bit since then. Additionally, if you play hard ball and bargain - and go with a suitcase full of cash - you can get comparable deals!

Been an interesting experience though!