my car is Import :(

[Nat8701]

i did a check on the car which came back clear ,where it said exported it said NO
i presumed it was a uk model but it doesnt have the LED light near the gearstick made me think it was a import bit peed off tbh thought the car check would have stated import. having no alarm locking wheels nuts etc can be fitted that doesnt bother me its just the whole stigma of having a import and selling it too

 

[bmh.01]

You'll be fine when selling it, its not an import in the sense of many jap cars that are imported here. Nothing wrong with it.

 

[Iridium]

It's an import only on paper though, I doubt it would devalue it really.

Dan

 

[j6 pkp]

surely the check would come back and state that it was? how long you had it? if you got it from a dealer cant you have a chat with them, for selling it as something its not etc?

 

[sh33n]

Imports are worth less in my eyes.

Depends if the buyer notices / cares / knows what it means.

Wouldn't worry, not a lot you can do.

 

[Ian_182]

Theres no difference in reslae value between the two

 

[J03]

whats the difference? arnt they the same car anyway?

 

[Lia Giba]

^ yes how do u check if its import or not physically?

 

[sh33n]

^ yes how do u check if its import or not physically?

There's a few differences, no factory fitted alarm, or window etching, or locking wheel nuts, etc.

 

[dale172]

i did a check on the car which came back clear ,where it said exported it said NO
i presumed it was a uk model but it doesnt have the LED light near the gearstick made me think it was a import bit peed off tbh thought the car check would have stated import. having no alarm locking wheels nuts etc can be fitted that doesnt bother me its just the whole stigma of having a import and selling it too

SO....Wow it hasn't got a cheap cobra alarm which tends to go mental LOL :rasp: Cheer up dude it's all good price about the same

 

[ForceIndia]

I got offered less on mine for trade in as it was an import.

 

[Gary-Lew]

My old 172 was an import i bought it new, they are built on the same production line chill, theres no STIGMA to an import, when you sell it if its a minter it will sell for the same price, if someone wants a mint 172 thats out of warranty anyway they will fork out the cash for it. If they fob you about its an import tell em to pi--ss off. Bottom line dont worry all 172 are the same, just think of it like this, your interior has not been pulled about as much as an alarm specced uk car!

 

[MTM]

my mate had a GTI new shape and an X5 - both imports and he sold them both for £500 less than he would have got had they been Uk models. My 197 is an import and I don't anticipate a huge problem selling it at a price that suits me.

 

[edde]

theres no STIGMA to an import, when you sell it if its a minter it will sell for the same price, if someone wants a mint 172 thats out of warranty anyway they will fork out the cash for it. If they fob you about its an import tell em to pi--ss off. Bottom line dont worry all 172 are the same, just think of it like this, your interior has not been pulled about as much as an alarm specced uk car!

I woulnd't pay the same for a none Uk car regardless insurance companies cna be difficult and do value the cars as less since there always cheaper to buy not decliring when the cars sold on is fraud.

If the car hans't an alarm then most insurers won't cover it so the point about interier not been messed with is for me usless.

There is a stigma attached to them try sell one for the same price and most buys won't have it.

My 197 is an import and I don't anticipate a huge problem selling it at a price that suits me.

Yep you bough it cheaper and will sell ti cheaper everyones happy you won't loose as much as you will having bought it on import (depending on price you paid) though so all is ok.

 

[catherinej]

Our 197 is an import. It came from Renault Special Vehicles in Paris. The only difference is it came without locking nuts and an alarm, which I believe are only on UK cars because they are fitted on entry into the UK.

 

[Nat8701]

i did a hpi check it said under EXPORTED: NO, but with no std alarm im guessing ita a import, doesnt worry me too much i paid 2500 for it 02 plate with 14k on the clock.bargain really. not too fussed about a alarm as i will get a good one fitted soon enough, on insurance i dont recall having trouble they didnt say its a import or that it was worth less.

 

[Noodle999]

There's a few differences, no factory fitted alarm, or window etching, or locking wheel nuts, etc.

The whole reason they're absent FYI is they're done at the port rather than in the factory. So when Renault UK bring the cars in they have these things done, and when somebody else imports them they don't (although there's nothing stopping them technically). But then of course they'd make less money.

If you had the missing things done / fitted then it'd be no different to a car imported by Renault UK presumably?

 

[edde]

There's a few differences, no factory fitted alarm, or window etching, or locking wheel nuts, etc.

The whole reason they're absent FYI is they're done at the port rather than in the factory. So when Renault UK bring the cars in they have these things done, and when somebody else imports them they don't (although there's nothing stopping them technically). But then of course they'd make less money.

If you had the missing things done / fitted then it'd be no different to a car imported by Renault UK presumably?

Nope proper Renault uk imported cars are different regards registration etc and warently wise since there all registerefor the full 3 years warently without issue.

 

[Noodle999]

Ah I see... doh :S

Question of having your wits about you I guess, as the lack of alarm sensors should be a dead giveaway. Also are people's insurance policies above board if they haven't realised they've got an import, as their insurance may be assuming the car has a Thatcham-approved alarm and etched glass? Could be dodgy!

 

[edde]

Ah I see... doh :S

Question of having your wits about you I guess, as the lack of alarm sensors should be a dead giveaway. Also are people's insurance policies above board if they haven't realised they've got an import, as their insurance may be assuming the car has a Thatcham-approved alarm and etched glass? Could be dodgy!

Yep most insurers don't knwo the cars import or not so cover the car assuming it is UK spec and has a full cat 1 alarm so doens't ask for proof. however since a few imports hvan't had alarsm fitted then there not covered under there policies.

 

[Noodle999]

Well I've probably heard the tale of at least half a dozen cars just on here etc that turned out to not have alarms, so it's a real issue that people need to be very careful about! Insurers tend to follow a set procedure when they're due to pay out for any reason:

1) Try to avoid paying out
2) Try to avoid paying out
3) Try to avoid paying out
4) Try to avoid paying out
5) If all else fails, reluctantly pay out :rasp:

And I mean this is whether the car is actually stolen, or simply in an accident. Doesn't pay to have any discrepencies they could get you on :S

 

[izard-industries]

Some imports are better than ours! think about it, if a car has been imported from spain, chances of rust? seems as it rains about as much as the sun shines over here!

 

[edde]

O ye some imports have different wiring as well.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I see this one about imports has raised its ugly head yet AGAIN .

As said above . They aren't imports in the sense as Jap imports , they are a whole different kettle of fish . They are the same cars made in the same factory but without a Renault alarm , locking wheel nuts and earlier models having etched windows . Big deal !

Renault alarms aren't the best ,frequently go wrong and only have an 18 month warranty . Get a good Cat 1 alarm with a with a lifetime warranty ,something like a Toad . Locking wheel nuts , ebay , sorted .

Insurance problems . None , if the insurance company is clued up and you give them all the relevant details .

Most imports came with the same 3 year Renault warranty and 3 year AA cover . The only exception was if the car was destined for Cyprus , then you only got 1 year warranty and no AA cover .

As to the resale value and people who say they are worth less . These are usually people who don't really know what they are talking about , and probably paid alot more than people who bought imports

I did my research and sold my FF172 on autotrader for the same price as so called UK spec models and i expect to do the same with my imported 182

 

[Noodle999]

Insurance problems . None , if the insurance company is clued up and you give them all the relevant details .

Yes of course, I was merely referring to the situations when people haven't realised at all that their car is an import without an alarm etc, through naivety. They'll have called their insurance and told them it's a Clio RS 172, or 182, or whatever, and the insurance company will often assume it has an alarm.

 

[edde]

Renault alarms aren't the best ,frequently go wrong and only have an 18 month warranty . Get a good Cat 1 alarm with a with a lifetime warranty ,something like a Toad . Locking wheel nuts , ebay , sorted .

Insurance problems . None , if the insurance company is clued up and you give them all the relevant details .

Most imports came with the same 3 year Renault warranty and 3 year AA cover . The only exception was if the car was destined for Cyprus , then you only got 1 year warranty and no AA cover .

As to the resale value and people who say they are worth less . These are usually people who don't really know what they are talking about , and probably paid alot more than people who bought imports

The alarsm arn't always poor loads have no troble beyond the original sensitive sensors setup.

Insurance is only ok if the compnay are aware. But there Ok so long as you tell them its an import but to Uk spec and they will offer less if you write off.

You need to send the letter to Renault to get the 3rd years warenty.

People who say there not worth more always seem to own or have owned a an import.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Ah I see... doh :S

Question of having your wits about you I guess, as the lack of alarm sensors should be a dead giveaway. Also are people's insurance policies above board if they haven't realised they've got an import, as their insurance may be assuming the car has a Thatcham-approved alarm and etched glass? Could be dodgy!

Yep most insurers don't knwo the cars import or not so cover the car assuming it is UK spec and has a full cat 1 alarm so doens't ask for proof. however since a few imports hvan't had alarsm fitted then there not covered under there policies.

When i got my first import (172 ) Adrian Flux wanted the VIN . They could tell it was an import just from the VIN . Go with a decent insurance company and you'll have no problems .

 

[Ali]

The old pink bus was an import! No problems!

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Renault alarms aren't the best ,frequently go wrong and only have an 18 month warranty . Get a good Cat 1 alarm with a with a lifetime warranty ,something like a Toad . Locking wheel nuts , ebay , sorted .

Insurance problems . None , if the insurance company is clued up and you give them all the relevant details .

Most imports came with the same 3 year Renault warranty and 3 year AA cover . The only exception was if the car was destined for Cyprus , then you only got 1 year warranty and no AA cover .

As to the resale value and people who say they are worth less . These are usually people who don't really know what they are talking about , and probably paid alot more than people who bought imports

The alarsm arn't always poor loads have no troble beyond the original sensitive sensors setup.

Insurance is only ok if the compnay are aware. But there Ok so long as you tell them its an import but to Uk spec and they will offer less if you write off.

You need to send the letter to Renault to get the 3rd years warenty.

People who say there not worth more always seem to own or have owned a an import.

I'm not saying the alarms are " always " poor . But there have been plenty of people with problems with their alarms .

You can just phone Renault UK edde . Then they register your car on their database . Job done . No letter needed

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Insurance problems . None , if the insurance company is clued up and you give them all the relevant details .

Yes of course, I was merely referring to the situations when people haven't realised at all that their car is an import without an alarm etc, through naivety. They'll have called their insurance and told them it's a Clio RS 172, or 182, or whatever, and the insurance company will often assume it has an alarm.

All the insurance companys i've ever called always ask if it has an alarm .If it hasn't got an alarm then start asking questions .

 

[*Badger*]

^ yes how do u check if its import or not physically?

There's a few differences, no factory fitted alarm, or window etching, or locking wheel nuts, etc.

Can someone show/explain to me these window etchings ?

 

[Ian_182]

There in the corner of each window

 

[JoelDee]

Will be fine

 

[Lia Giba]

and whats etched, numbers?

 

[KDF]

They etch the cars numbers into the glass.. thats it.. lol

Mine isn't an 'import' but there is virtually no difference other than what MRBILLYUK posted, and I believe that some where not undersealed (correct me if im wrong) so look out for that too.

 

[Lia Giba]

ok thanks mate

 

[MRBILLYUK]

They etch the cars numbers into the glass.. thats it.. lol

Mine isn't an 'import' but there is virtually no difference other than what MRBILLYUK posted, and I believe that some where not undersealed (correct me if im wrong) so look out for that too.

They are undersealed . Its some of the imports from Japan that aren't .