proper check to see if my 172 is import

[DanS]

I can see from several old threads that there has been a lot of discussion about how to tell if your 172 is an import.

i've just bought an 02 reg 172 that i was told wasn't an import by the garage, but reading on here, people say to check for alarm with led next to gear stick, window etching, and locking wheel nuts.

well mine has locking wheel nuts, an alarm but no window etching, is there a proper way to check, such as vin plate check or reg check as I'm worried about it not being a proper cat 1 alarm and not being covered on insurance?

 

[Fred@BTM]

what alarm though??

post a pic of under the bonnet

 

[DanS]

the alarm works through the proper keyfob, but theres a sticker on the window from an alarm company that isn't the normal renault one!

what is there to check under the bonnet?

 

[Mark5290]

Ring Renault Customer services and quote your VIN number - 08000 723 372

 

[Gareth]

sounds like an import to me, that's exactly what I did with my 172 import, bought the locking wheel nuts myself and got an alarm fitted myself, didn't bother etching the windows.

 

[DanS]

where would i stand as i was sold the car specifically as a non import, could i get my money back as it would invalidate my insurance?

 

[Laura]

whats your reg?

 

[Gareth]

where would i stand as i was sold the car specifically as a non import, could i get my money back as it would invalidate my insurance?

i'm not sure fella, this has happened to many before and its generally not resolved.

 

[DanS]

reg is FD02 XMG

 

[Laura]

no its not an import

 

[DanS]

that makes me happy but how do you know for sure?

sorry for all the questions, just dont want to have been mis sold the car and have invalid insurance!

i love the car though!

 

[Laura]

i HPId it

 

[Moby]

i HPId it

I would too.

For the sake of a few quid it's peace of mind.

 

[Laura]

no i did hpi it

 

[DanS]

cheers guys, they did actually give me a hpi check but i didn't realise it would show up on this!

 

[steb23]

what comes up on the hpi if it is an import?

 

[lemonnobby]

I would say it is an import my reg is FP02 and thats an import a lot were on 02 plates I will take the reg to work tomorro and check properly

 

[Ian_182]

My old one was FG 02 FSK and was an import with no window etchings and a cat1 alarm from motorpoint

 

[cliobritt]

taylor can you check WK51 AYU

 

[Chili Red]

How does an HPI check show if it's an import? My old 172 was a parallel import direct from France, and it didn't have the window etching, alarm or locking wheel nuts.

If I'd bought a 172 without window etching and an alarm fitted by someone else, that says import to me! Check with Renault UK just to make sure.

 

[len_beach]

Why does it matter? You were told it wasn't an import and as far as you are aware, it's not.

I can understand what you're asking from an insurance point of view but your average Joe wouldn't know the difference.

 

[kully]

:quiet: steering wheel on the left is a big giveaway

 

[Gareth]

lol

 

[mini_nick]

Mine is an import! I can tell because when I call up the renault dealer to get a quote for parts, they took my reg and said thats an import! lol!

 

[Limca]

:quiet: steering wheel on the left is a big giveaway

:clown:

 

[Graham Gooch]

:quiet: steering wheel on the left is a big giveaway

lol.

 

[cat171]

:quiet: steering wheel on the left is a big giveaway

Lol.

Tbh, most insurers won't quote you any different. If it is one it's worth telling though. As you've got a cat1 alarm on it (as per uk ones) I doubt they'd mind, you need to tell them though.

 

[Steve2004]

This window etching people are going on about, where abouts are they? Because I've never noticed anything on my windows. :S


Got an alarm and locking wheels nuts though.

 

[Ian_182]

There in the bottom corner of each window

 

[Ally]

This window etching people are going on about, where abouts are they? Because I've never noticed anything on my windows. :S


Got an alarm and locking wheels nuts though.

I wouldn't use window etching as a guide for anything - I found a kit online to etch my imported Clio's windows myself for about £20. Can't find the link to it again though...

 

[Ian_182]

It does'nt matter anyway.I sold my 172 import for the same price as a UK car

 

[lemonnobby]

taylor can you check WK51 AYU

Thats a UK car.

 

[Gary-Lew]

I had a 172 import, etching are a dead giveaway, no led by gearstick, you dont get all the bumph regarding alarm and security register doc that renault uk issue and my clio manual was not in english dont worry about it!!

 

[Gary-Lew]

This window etching people are going on about, where abouts are they? Because I've never noticed anything on my windows. :S


Got an alarm and locking wheels nuts though.

I wouldn't use window etching as a guide for anything - I found a kit online to etch my imported Clio's windows myself for about £20. Can't find the link to it again though...

you get renault documents with the etchings regarding registering owner etc

 

[benm172]

the door lock will be on the passenger door if its an import

 

[kully]

the door lock will be on the passenger door if its an import

door lock is on the normal clios excluding imports

 

[Tom H]

The engine number will also not be registered on the log book if its an import, and ithe engine number will not shop up on a HPI check.

At the end of the day their not imports like your typical 'jap' imports their just cars that were not origionally sold through the renault dealerships in the uk, rather car supermarkets etc.

 

[cat171]

the door lock will be on the passenger door if its an import

Thats totally wrong, when they removed the door lock from the car (I don't remember which side) It was the same side as if it was a lhd or rhd car.

 

[deaddog]

I don't think you can tell an import by spec.

my 03 172 is an Import - it has locking wheel nuts, etched windows, and the same alarm as a genuine UK car. The only real give away is the "Direction Ventes Speciales Exportation" stamp in the front of the service record booklet.