Neighbour's new GTD

[Mark V GTD]

Just noticed someone close by my house has got themselves a very nice 16 plate 3-door manual GTD in Pure White. Looks really nice with the upgraded 19" alloys and panoramic sunroof.

When he pulled away yesterday the headlights looked off - no DRL's on and looking at the car later on it just has standard halogen headlights (without washers)!  everything else is normal GTD inside and out.

Looking at the number plate it had the 'Motorpoint' logo so thinking this car is an import not built for UK (rather than a mis-build). Has anyone else ween these cars with halogen headlights - I presume they sold the cheap!

[Guzzle]

Yes not all markets get the equipment UK cars get. I seem to recall Motorpoint have had Golf's from Cyprus in the past. USA GTi's for example don't get led rear lights as standard either.

[fredgroves]

I can't remember where they got them from but it was a bit shall I say "not completely transparent to the average buyer" and they had a lot of them

[JoeGTI]

Early Irish MK7's came with halogens.... but its a while ago now. Xenons have been standard now since late '14.

[fredgroves]

Found it.... this:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=275674.0

[Mark V GTD]

Yes you are spot on - this car does have sat-nav but the ACC is missing (no grille sensor) so must be from the same source. As pointed out they were cheap but not much cheaper than a well discounted UK supplied car so maybe not such good value after all. I would not want to be trying to sell one of those!

[fredgroves]

I think you'd sell it the same as Motorpoint sold them.... look at the badge, its a GTD.

Not many would know the finer points of the tech and even those who do probably wouldn't be thinking it might be missing (I know I wouldn't!) until after the sale...

[SRGTD]

Yes not all markets get the equipment UK cars get. I seem to recall Motorpoint have had Golf's from Cyprus in the past. USA GTi's for example don't get led rear lights as standard either.

If it was built for an overseas market and then imported to the UK, presumably it’ll only have a 2 year warranty instead of 3 years as well?

[clubsport]

Most of these cars imported from other markets tend to lack the adaptive cruise and have different alarm systems.

I would expect the insurance is loaded if the cars are declared correctly as import spec vs a UK car.

OK, you buy for a lower price, but a UK spec car is probably easier to own and move on when the time comes.

An import doesn't seem worth it to me overall.

[fredgroves]

If they come from Northern Ireland then they aren't "imported" are they?