My 57 plate GTI is an import (came from a Dutch dealer) and to me it is no different to a UK purchased car. It is full UK spec and built from the same German factory as UK sourced cars.
I have recently taken out a third years warranty with VW as it should help when I come to sell it.
If the car you have seen is a true parallel import and not one of those dodgy ones from places like Motorpoint (do a search in this forum) then there shouldn't be any problems. I'd be upset if someone didn't want to buy my car because it is an 'import'.
I would hope that when I come to part ex mine, the dealer should treat it like a UK car. There is no reason why they should offer me less money as it is the same car. Some dealers might say that it is an import and because of that it is worth less (and then they will sell it similarly priced as a UK car).
As you have seen imports for same/similar price then I hope that things have changed for the better.
I once had an import Ford Puma :embarassed: (bought from Trade Sales in Slough) and when I traded it in for a Mk5 Golf 2.0 TDI in 2004, the dealer actually gave me a very good price and said that it didn't matter that it was an import as it was the same car. There are some good dealers out there!
Sorry if I have rambled on and not answered your question. I would consider the car if it was a true parallel import. Get the full history from the dealer, where and when it was manufactured, when it was first registered, how many owners and how much warranty is left on it. If everything seems in order then it could be a bargain.
And do a search on this forum as there have been some horror stories with some import cars and those purchased from various car supermarkets.
