172 Import - Selling problem URGENT Help please !

[SteveT]

Hi All,
Sorry to be a traitor but after 5 years happiness i have decided to sell my Clio Sport 172. Having placed it on Autotrader just yesterday i got an interested party whose since seen the vehicle.
Howver having agreed a price we both now discover the car was an import (not clear on log book, but guess since i did get from a car supermarket from new not that suprising) and this has put into question the value of the car.

Parkers Valued the car at around £5300, and i advertised at £5350, but agreed a price of £5100. Now though, the buyer is naturally concerned the price is a fair one.

How much do you think i should knock off for considering its an import? None? 5% ? 10% more? I always thought that this didn't make any difference (perhaps naively), i don't want to lose the sale, or undersell the vehicle.

Its still on Autotrader for anyone thats interested its a black one, FD51 DYT reg, however prefer just to do fair by current interested party and myself.
Hope you can help
Steve

 

[quickshift]

none there is nothing different about a import simple and shouldnt change the value

 

[SteveT]

Wow quick response there. Thanks. Is there any real proof that I can convince the buyers though? Any website? ...i tried parkers and all sorts and unfortunately theres no number to call or fields to put in to say its an import (an answer in itself perhaps!).

 

[-Leigh-]

It doesn't matter. As long as it has locking wheel nuts, an alarm, and window etching, then it's the same spec and worth the same.

 

[BrianR]

They are all imported aren't they....... The only difference is the UK models have an upgrade Cat2 to Cat 1 alarm, locking wheel nuts and widow etching, fitted at the import centre at Southampton to comply with the Thatcham insurance requirements.....

 

[Dan 172]

Give him nothing off if you have the CAT1 alarm and locking wheels nuts, as they are exactly the same.

 

[SteveT]

Keep it coming chaps....The locking wheel nuts, i assume this is just the handy key Renault always ask me for right? Not sure what imobiler thingy i have either....looked at some past threads and noticed talk about a LED light near the gear box. I don't have one of tehse either....

 

[sh33n]

Does it have an alarm?

If it doesn't I'd want money knocked off to get one, so there's £300 :S

 

[SteveT]

Just looked and no etchings. I'm pretty sure its an import......so just brings me back to what to value the car at....

 

[SteveT]

I thought it had an alarm and theres a red light flashing when you lock it, but never heard it go off so not sure...

 

[sh33n]

I thought it had an alarm and theres a red light flashing when you lock it, but never heard it go off so not sure...

Sit in the car press the remote central locking. Stay still for 30 secs, then move round like a crazy fool.

If you here a noise, it has an alarm

Or just look for the sensors they should be near the top of each front pillar.

 

[-Leigh-]

There will be a red flashing led between the speedo and rev counter for the immobiliser. All clios have this. There should be a red flashing led by the gear stick if it has an alarm.

If it doesn't have an alarm, then knock £200-£300 off.

 

[Rich_16v]

If theres no LED next to the gear stick then it didn't come with a factory fitted alarm

Presumably you've got an alarm on the car as most insurance companies would insist on this as part of your cover

As said above the 'import' cars are identical in every way except they didn't come with locking wheels nuts (which you've since fitted) they don't have numbers ettached on the glass (which is something and nothing really) and the alarm as above

 

[Gumby]

Windows don't always get etched if you get them replaced anyway ie. if someone smashes one

 

[BrianR]

Careful, your confusing the situation guys.

ALL the cars have an immobilser which displays the LED in the instrument panel, its part of the EMU and cant be removed.

The alarms are not fitted at the factory, they are fitted dockside at the import centre. That would normally be confirmed by a LED on the centre console.

Locking wheel nuts were fitted, but most people would make sure they had them if not.

The window etching was a Renault/Acpo thing that was abandoned by most other car makers when visible VINs became a requirement.

A cat 2 to 1 alarm is not going to cost £300 unless you have it fitted by NASA

 

[SteveT]

OK. Well have sat in in the car for 30 seconds and went crazy...and guess what no alarm...nothing!
However just called DVLA and they say its definently not an import as it has never been regsitered outside of this country. Confused as heck....

 

[-Leigh-]

How crazy did you go though mate? Can you do it again, but video it this time, just so we can see your moves.

 

[Munchkin]

Ring a renault dealership with the car's details and they will tell you whether it is an import or not!

 

[SteveT]

:lolup: Very funny, well pretty crzy...i wavered a paper around and nothing...no sensors on pillars either....

 

[sh33n]

:lolup: Very funny, well pretty crzy...i wavered a paper around and nothing...no sensors on pillars either....

He was being serious, lol.

It's an import then, and unfortunately you're gonna have to knock off some cash, just say ok how about a round £5000 to the buyer and see what they say, they maybe more than happy with that.

But be prepared to go down further than that if they are reading this

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I think your getting confused on the import issue . Grey imports , like those from the far east , subaru's etc will come up as imports at the DVLA .

An import like you have won't cos it will have been registered as new in this country . I'm on my second import , both were brand new with delivery mileage and i was the registered first keeper .

Import are cars that could have been sent anywhere , but ended up in this country .If an imported car was intended to go to Cyprus or Holland then it only came with 1 years manufacturers warranty as well .

If you want to know where your car was imported from call Renault customer services on Tel . 08000 723 372 give em your VIN number .

As others have said . They came with no alarm , locking wheel nuts and window etching .

I sold my first import on autotrader for the same money as UK models were advertised for . Sell it for what the going rate is for your year , mileage etc .... if they don't want to pay what your asking tell them to take a walk .

I'm quite surpised you got insurance tbh , as most insurance companies want an alarm , usually a cat 1 , as well as the immobiliser .

 

[Bluebeard]

Just knock £200 off for an alarm, if he doesn't like it, tell him to piss off and buy another one.

 

[SteveT]

He had mention £500 off asking price but think i'm inclined to take my chances waiting for another buyer and a better price, being honest all round
Local Renault couldn't tell me if it it was an import...may try elsewhere...i'll post an update later how i get on! Thanks for all your help all...if i do sell to someonelse and get a decent price then i may just go crazy and go on U-tube for you all!

 

[SteveT]

Superfast Dan thats a bit strong but agree with thye sentiments....don't wanna see go for £4600, that would be giving it away and its in smashing condition too

 

[MRBILLYUK]

^^^ Ring Renault customer services on the number i gave you . They'll tell you if its an import mate .

 

[sh33n]

i may just go crazy and go on U-tube for you all!

You what

 

[Englebert]

Mine was an import (Dutch) brought in by Motorpoint.

I sold it to the first viewer... but it had an alarm fitted and locking wheel nuts.

 

[SteveT]

^^^ Ring Renault customer services on the number i gave you . They'll tell you if its an import mate .

Hi that number doesn't seem to work....got another? Renault i speak to not very helpful....by the time i get through

 

[SteveT]

hang on now though....on hold

 

[SteveT]

Got through and yup its an import....from Austria apparantly. First i knew of it but perhaps not that suprising. Howver am suprised DVLA didn't know....must do dome more research and see what its worth...

 

[Englebert]

Well i put mine up for £5995, more than any UK cars! I did make sure the car was faultless though.

 

[gazcaddy]

it shouldnt make any difference it being an import but unfortuantely it does. Id offer it to him for £5k tell him to like it or lump it

 

[Ads_172]

Unfortauntely, no alarm will detract quite considerably from the value. You're looking at £300-odd for a decent CAT1 fitted.

 

[Steve]

If your car is in excellent condition, hold out for the money as renault alarms are crap anyway.
Once the warranty has run out, i don't see a difference.

Condition is all important!

 

[ant]

i wouldn't knock a penny off mate.

makes no difference whasoever.

 

[len_beach]

He was happy to pay £5100 for the car as it stood. No aspect of the car has changed import or not so £5100 is still fair.
Take it down to a nice and easy £5k or tell him to jog on.

 

[SteveT]

Hi - the deal is well and truly off. Neither of us wanted to negotiate further, so now back to drawing board of trying to sell again.
Now had to ask Autotrader to amend the advert to remove the word Alarm!

Still its only the second day.

I did speak to another Renault dealer (I think we all find level of service can vary dramatically). Anyway this one was really helpful, his opinion was imports are worth less if under 3 years old, due to warranty being shorter on imports, but by and large shouldn't make any difference to selling price on this one. other than some adjust for lack of alarm.
Also said he thought i wouldn't have any trouble selling it fairly quick...it is only the 2nd day its been up for sale so not panicing just yet.

Thanks for all your help and advice

Steve

 

[The Hoff]

Alarm can be tested by pressing and holding the keyfob button for 5 seconds.

 

[len_beach]

I've just had a quick look on the trader. You'll probably sell that just as easily on here for that price.

 

[dick]

a car is oinly worth whatr people will pay, and imports have less demand than uk spec cars. fact.

less demand, worth less. sorry