How to ID an Import/buying from Autolink

[Andy8CH]

Im looking at buying either a new or used MK2 172 and wanted to know how I can identify if the one I am looking at is an import? - Is there anything I should be looking for? (probably something simple like a country ID on a plate? )

As a side, has anyone had any experience buying from Autolink/Autoplanet?

I see a few people posting about buying imports from Trade Sales but not Autlolink..

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[KDF]

The only real difference is the UK 172s come with an alarm (fitted by the dealer) and the imports dont.

 

[wackojacko]

NONONONONONONONONO DO NOT NOT NOT BUY A CAR FROM AUTOLINK!!!

 

[wackojacko]

Sorry had to get that in before i explain!!!

There was nothing wrong with the car really.......... but there customer service is worse than Renos!! They debited my card TWICE for the car!! And i dont know about you but taking 25k out of bank in one day shafted my finances, and then it took them ages to sort it out.

Oh and i didnt get my V5 for 5months, or a recipt (till i shouted that i wanted one) oh and the car turned up with stone chips on it. 2 answer your question, im not exactly sure where my car came from but its NOT belguim or cyprus. So as far as im concerned its all good!!

 

[Andy8CH]

Thanks for the info on Autolink...

I know about imports not coming with alarms, but I also know its possible to retrofit. Any other way to tell if the cars an import? - I dont want to pay UK price for a second hand car that is an import!

 

[JAY172]

im sure there is a way from the vehicle id plate,i will look in to it.

 

[Viv172]

Ring Renault UK customer services, give them the reg and they should be able to tell you, mines (what Renault UK call) an import and there is nothing on the car to tell, apart from the fact that it cost £s less!!!! Nothing wrong with that!!

Plus the fact that they are all imports anyway, thats why they are the same, its just that Renault dealers charge more for the same car and label all cars not sold by them as imports!!

Only thing that could give it away....On the V5 have a look at how many keepers, if the first change of keeper was soon after it was new, then chances are that it was a pre reg import

 

[dk]

the easy way to tell is to see if the window is etched by Renault as only UK cars go through the renault import centre where the alarm is fitted and the window is etched, if it isnt etched then it aint UK spec.

 

[EightBall]

Quote: Originally posted by dave182 on 29 December 2003

the easy way to tell is to see if the window is etched by Renault as only UK cars go through the renault import centre where the alarm is fitted and the window is etched, if it isnt etched then it aint UK spec.

But in the same way that an alarm can be fitted, it is also possible to have the windows etched and registered to the ISR, although it would be possible to tell from the number that this has not been done by Renault. It doesnt mean that its not UK spec, just that it hasnt been registered by Renault UK in the ISR register.

Check out http://www.retainagroup.comwww.retainagroup.com

 

[jonnyboy]

dont think a cars import status will affect 2nd hand value, I wouldnt worry about it. Mines an import...from France!

 

[Andy8CH]

Thanks for all the replies!

I was astonded today when I saw a Renault garage in Slough selling a black 172 with 7000 miles for £12.5K - Surely they dont expect someone to pay that with trade sales just around the corner charging £11k for a brand new import!

 

[KDF]

Not enough people know about the advantages of "imports" so yeh.. someone will buy it.