Part ex value of import GTI

[orca]

I need a bigger car now that we have had child number two.  I don't think the Golf will be big enough to carry all the baby paraphernalia around.  I'm looking at MPVs and SUVs.

My GTI spec is as follows:

2007 57 plate
32,000 miles
5 door
DSG
Cloth
18" Monza 2's
Tornado red
Xenons
Arm rest with iPod prep
Hi line computer

Purchased through a dealer in the Netherlands and is 100% UK spec.

Got a Glass's quote last week which is as follows:

Trade in - excellent: £ 14,600.00
Trade in - average: £ 13,000.00
Trade in - below average: £ 11,450.00
Dealer Retail price £ 16,400.00
Private Sale price: £ 14,101.00


Was talking to someone I know who is a Renault salesman and he phoned a few traders and they will only offer 12750 for it because it is an import 
Popped into Hyundai to look at the Santa Fe and the salesman phoned the local VW dealer and they will only offer 12250 for it as it is an import 

I didn't expect to get full trade in value but the quotes seem a bit low.  My initial savings are being wiped out!

Do you think this is a reasonable part ex value for my car or not?

Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Kev

[Wayne]

The dealers are right, grey imports are worth a good bit less and can be hard to shift, £12500 is going to be about its money.

[orca]

I'm being pedantic but it's a parallel (EU)import not a grey import 

I was hoping that it would only be 1,000 to 1,500 off top trade in value.  I'm sure the dealers would still sell it for a fair whack.

[DanoGTI]

Sounds like they're not treating it as a parallel.

[ifti]

I have two children - a 4 and a 2 year old.
I think the size of the Golf is perfect for such a family TBH.
Dont sell it!!!!!!!

[Jimp]

I have two children - a 4 and a 2 year old.
I think the size of the Golf is perfect for such a family TBH.
Dont sell it!!!!!!!

Agreed. A guy I work with has recently bought an 06 5 door A3, which is basically a 5 door mk5, and fits all his baby stuff in it no problem. Hell, my grandparents had no problem in fitting 3 kids in the back of a 5 door mk2 
If it helps, I'm able to fit 2 decent sized guitar amp+speaker combis in the back of my mk5, with a guitar and a bass in hard cases, two full duffle bags, a suitcase and a guy in the back seats and another guy in the passenger seat. We could have fit more but didn't have more 
If you really do need the extra space give Jettas or Passats a look. Miles of space and much more subtle and stylish than any SUV

[orca]

Sounds like they're not treating it as a parallel.

They should know its a parallel import.  I told the salesmen that it was an EU import from Holland and 100% UK spec.  I specifically told them to tell their contacts that info.

I guess they are just playing safe as some EU imports can be slightly different spec.

They are using the import excuse to give me rock bottom and to make a tidy profit.

[JonnyG]

I've part ex'd two Golfs in the past with VW dealers - each time they knocked off £500 for it being an "import".

As long as they are full UK spec and have a VW UK service history they are quite happy - some have even sold "imports" from new themselves

Both cars were around 2 years old

[orca]

I have two children - a 4 and a 2 year old.
I think the size of the Golf is perfect for such a family TBH.
Dont sell it!!!!!!!

Agreed. A guy I work with has recently bought an 06 5 door A3, which is basically a 5 door mk5, and fits all his baby stuff in it no problem. Hell, my grandparents had no problem in fitting 3 kids in the back of a 5 door mk2 
If it helps, I'm able to fit 2 decent sized guitar amp+speaker combis in the back of my mk5, with a guitar and a bass in hard cases, two full duffle bags, a suitcase and a guy in the back seats and another guy in the passenger seat. We could have fit more but didn't have more 
If you really do need the extra space give Jettas or Passats a look. Miles of space and much more subtle and stylish than any SUV

I can get by with day to day stuff but for days out and weekends away space is a bit tight.  The pram system takes up most of the boot leaving very little room for anything else.

I've never been a big fan of the Passats.  I was tempted by the Skoda Octavia vRS estate at one point and they are doing discount equivalent to VAT until the end of the month.

Lots of people have been telling me to keep the GTI.  One guy at work was saying how he managed with 2 kids in a Mini Metro.

[orca]

I've part ex'd two Golfs in the past with VW dealers - each time they knocked off £500 for it being an "import".

As long as they are full UK spec and have a VW UK service history they are quite happy - some have even sold "imports" from new themselves

Both cars were around 2 years old

I think I'd probably get a better part ex from a VW dealer if I was to buy another VW.  It's just that the dealers I've been to see, Renault and Hyundai, don't want to sell my car themselves so phoning VW dealers and other traders and only getting the bottom trade in price.  The Renault salesman that I know could get me 12750 plus 3,500 off a new Koleos.  Not that I want the Koleos, it was just so that he could work out some figures for me.

I think I would be happy if I could get 13,000 to 13,500 but it seems like this is going to be difficult unless I sell private.