Deal or no deal???????

[pitman4u]

hi all

ive been offered a deal on a black 06 reg mk5, 18" monza, 16000miles climate control etc. the seller has told me he car is a 'parrallel import'. is there any way i can check this?? also are the anything in particular i should be looking for when buyin an import??
the price is good £12700 and falls within my budget so im bery tempted.
any help appreciated.

thanks
Stevie

[Edition30]

White worm on wheels?

Imported cars only get 2 years warranty also.

[AlanD]

In his case no warrenty as its over 2 years old (or at least soon will be)

[Hurdy]

You will be able to check that the car is a prallel import with the paperwork he should have.

It is then a matter of checking the car over.

Here is a link to checks on new car collection, but a lot will apply to used cars too.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=64432.0

You need to check the steering column too as some cars have had a groaning/creaking noise on full lock whilst reversing and it is a warranty issue.

I'm assuming it is a manual?

[No Golf Clubs at all]

Call a VW dealer and ask them to check the reg number? climate control....is that the same as we all have? only reason i ask is that I am sure i saw an import with the bog standard air and not the same as UK standard.

There are a lot of great cars out there for very similar money, wouldnt you be better going with a uk car, check pistonheads.

[pitman4u]

ok cheers guys. the wheels are clean ie. no whiteworm the car itself is immaculate. ill do a few checks and take it from there. ive been looking for a while pistonheads autotrader etc. just a case of biding my time i think.thanks stevie

[JonnyG]

I've had two imports (bought from new) and had no problems.

My only concern buying secondhand would be to make sure that it was'nt one of the imports that were lying around in a field for a year before being registered 

So things to check are

(i) the Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) date and stamp in the service book.  This will tell you where the car came from (ie which country it was imported from).  Your cars two year warranty also starts from this date.


(ii) Check the VIN number in the following link to see what year the car was manufactured and check this matches the PDI date.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/scirocco/vincheck.php



(iii) For full UK spec check the following (which are typical import features) :

A.  Spacesaver spare wheel and not a puncture repair kit
B.  English Manuals and Service book (although you may have to put up with foreign ones)
C.  Full Internal Alarm
D.  8 or more speakers (some imports had no rear speakers)


(iv) Check the spec of the car matches the year

Year on year spec changes are as follows :

MY06 Changes were :-

Golf - All Models

• Radio / Navigation knobs now with chrome plated finish
• Gear Shift Cover with a Chrome plates surround
• Change to door side trim
• Open ended spanner in toolkit discontinued
• "Assistance in Europe" manulas discontinued in Handbooks
• Roof Aerial in conjunction with RCD300/500/Plus replaces aerial in rear windscreen
• Mid range speaker discontinued in RCD300 and RCD300 Plus
• New operating controls on multi-function steering wheel.

GTi specific

• New Leather steering wheel with tiptronic paddles for DSG models
• Front foglights changed from projection to reflector technology

MY07 Changes were :-

• Automatic employment of warning lights under emergency braking
• 3 large head rests in the rear
• Whiplash optimised headrests
• Change to front courtesy light – discontinuation of the middle lamp and housing is no longer lacquered
• Radio and navigation systems – change to chrome surrounds on knobs, see picture below:
• Change of icon on the lock/unlock button, see picture below:
• Location of the airbag warning label will be on the B pillar rather than next to the windscreen
• Centre console foot space covering for front passengers in black only (beige and grey discontinued)

 MY08 Changes were :-

 Golf - All trim levels

• Rod aerial replaces ‘shark fin’ aerial when the optional satellite navigation system is ordered.
• Introduction of new generation immobiliser. Generation IV.
• AC button instead of ECON button for climatronic air conditioning – see illustration number 1.
• New feature on climatronic air conditioning unit. Air quality sensor with automatic changeover switch.
• Change to the symbols on the indicator/wiper lever.
• The black centre armrest with fabric covering will be changed from a ’fell’ seam to a ‘join’ seam. This will be introduced from Week 22 onwards.
• Removal of optional factory fit telephone preparation. Available as aftersales fit only.


Hope this helps 

[bobotheclown]

what a concise and informative reply. Nice one mate.

[pitman4u]

yeah thats spot on jonnyg much appreciated mate. ill go thru that list and get it checked out!

[Emeye]

Is this pretty much a std car? Is it really a good price?

I managed to buy a UK feb 08 3dr GTI in metallic black with cruise and armrest from a mail stealer for £15k at the end of Sept - I'm sure there are plenty of cracking deals to be had if you go in confident and hold your nerve.