Buying an imported car

The Woodcock

Can anyone explain the pitfalls and problems to watch out for when buying an imported car? Should an import automatically set the alarm bells ringing?

I went for a test drive earlier today in a 2005 VW Golf TDI. There was a sticker on the windscreen saying it had been serviced in Bristol. I also found a business card from a Bristol-based business in the boot. The 'salesman' in the yard didn't deny that it was an import, pleaded ignorance and said the 'boss' (who wasn't around) would know more.
I ran the Reg no on motorcheck.ie which confirmed it as a UK import.

The car drove fine - no obvious problems to my untrained eye. It's clean, no bumps or scratches, 4 new tyres, NCT until next Feb. It would suit me down to the ground. Is it worthwhile paying for a history check on motorcheck.ie or should I walk away?

slimjimmc

Ever since my father nearly got stung with an imported cut-n-shut job that he nearly bought many years ago I check the VINs are where they should be, and match each other and the documentation. And I lift the carpets and get under to check for welds where welds shouldn't be (NCT don't check that detailed). That's not unique to imports, I do it for 'native' cars too.

corktina

most imports are probably fromt he AUCTIONS, MAYBE EX RENTAL OR FLEET CARS. uNDOUBTEDLY SOME WILL BE cut and shut jobs though, so extreme caution needed, certainly motorcheck would be worth €30 for!

166man

What's the mileage and service history like on the car OP?

eth0

The Woodcock wrote: »

Should an import automatically set the alarm bells ringing?

No, thats just what SIMI want you to think.

Henry Ford III

Cut and shuts, ringing, cloning, clocking, and salt damage would be the main risks.

Repaired insurance write offs would be another.

It's quite possible to buy a very good import, but you need to be thorough and careful and check it out fully BEFORE buying.

shawnee

Usual checks apply as would to an Irish car but I would only buy an import if it had fsh , often difficult to get on Irish cars but if not available on an English car then it's probably clocked

ljpg

if its an english import rust on the floorpan would be my biggest concern,in certain parts of the uk they poision the roads with salt if theres as much as a rumour of frost,i've owned 2 uk imports in my time altho they turned out to be very good cars you'd know the underside had seen salt,one needed a small bit of welding for the nct too,my advice get under it with a screwdriver and give it a good prod,if it looks too rough walk away

shooter88

there is nothing to fear about buying a import most people who import cars do it for the simple reason as uk cars are cheaper than cars here even with vrt and transport i have imported a good few cars from the uk over the years and its the usual common sence checking the paperwork nct service history/giving the car a good look..your as likely to get a import thats been crashed/repaired or dodgy as you are getting a irish one..they do use salt and it does show so pop your head underneath and check for rust/pervious welding etc but that is mainly on older cars due to the higher grade underbody sealer in the last 15 yrs

Del2005

The Woodcock wrote: »

Can anyone explain the pitfalls and problems to watch out for when buying an imported car? Should an import automatically set the alarm bells ringing?

I went for a test drive earlier today in a 2005 VW Golf TDI. There was a sticker on the windscreen saying it had been serviced in Bristol. I also found a business card from a Bristol-based business in the boot. The 'salesman' in the yard didn't deny that it was an import, pleaded ignorance and said the 'boss' (who wasn't around) would know more.
I ran the Reg no on motorcheck.ie which confirmed it as a UK import.

The car drove fine - no obvious problems to my untrained eye. It's clean, no bumps or scratches, 4 new tyres, NCT until next Feb. It would suit me down to the ground. Is it worthwhile paying for a history check on motorcheck.ie or should I walk away?

If you've an untrained eye you'd better pay for someone who has to look over the car, either AA or a trusted mechanic. A history check will show reported issues. Many cars are sold on before issues have been reported, that's for all cars not just imports.

Jimbob 83

Good points.

-Higher spec generally
-Better condition/better maintained/alot more documentation.

Bad points.

-Alot of them are clocked as most Irish people don't bother to check.
- More prone to corrosion/rust from road salting.

MrFrisp

I don't know a whole lot about motors,,but from experience...

If your buying a TDi,,take it on a good drive,and make sure you include a spin up a good incline...That way you can check if the car is going to hit "Limp Mode".

It don't happen all cars,,but it can be a curse to try and fix the problem if it happens that car.







.

Leonard Hofstadter

Make sure that the history of the car is genuine with a UK car - sometimes they have a tendency to 'lose' a few miles as they cross the Irish sea.

UK cars will have service history (very few Irish cars have this), much higher levels of standard equipment (usually) and a better (more powerful) engine.

If the car hasn't been clocked/cut and shut etc etc then there is absolutely no reason to fear about buying a UK car, why wouldn't you want a car that will have been much better maintained, have a higher spec and a better engine than most of the muck in this country?

listenup

eth0 wrote: »

The Woodcock wrote: »

Should an import automatically set the alarm bells ringing?

No, thats just what SIMI want you to think.

full of ****

cgal093

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Cut and shuts, ringing, cloning, clocking, and salt damage would be the main risks.

Repaired insurance write offs would be another.

It's quite possible to buy a very good import, but you need to be thorough and careful and check it out fully BEFORE buying.

Sure, you'd look for all that stuff (except the salt damage) when buying an Irish car, wouldn't you?

Henry Ford III

cgal093 wrote: »

Sure, you'd look for all that stuff (except the salt damage) when buying an Irish car, wouldn't you?

You'd be shocked how many check nowt.

testicle

cgal093 wrote: »

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Cut and shuts, ringing, cloning, clocking, and salt damage would be the main risks.

Repaired insurance write offs would be another.

It's quite possible to buy a very good import, but you need to be thorough and careful and check it out fully BEFORE buying.

Sure, you'd look for all that stuff (except the salt damage) when buying an Irish car, wouldn't you?

We salt our roads too...

Del2005

testicle wrote: »

cgal093 wrote: »

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Cut and shuts, ringing, cloning, clocking, and salt damage would be the main risks.

Repaired insurance write offs would be another.

It's quite possible to buy a very good import, but you need to be thorough and careful and check it out fully BEFORE buying.

Sure, you'd look for all that stuff (except the salt damage) when buying an Irish car, wouldn't you?

We salt our roads too...

We don't get as much bad weather as across the sea, hence we don't salt as much. The last couple of freezing winters were freaks, how much ice and snow had we this winter? That's are usual weather not the hard freezing.