MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: WILCOMAN on April 27, 2011, 07:13:16 pm

Title: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: WILCOMAN on April 27, 2011, 07:13:16 pm
Hi all.
What would you all sugest that I do now ?
I bought a black golf gti dsg in jan this year from a main VW dealer here in Norfolk.
I was told that it was originally registered in cornwall in 2007 and had had 3 owners since new, They gave me 3 years free servicing and the purchase price was just over £12.900.
Not long after buying the car I wasnt happy with the tyres so purchased a full set of new ones costing good money and also purchase a rns510 which ED-nl fitted for me and it was during the fitting of this that ED said there was something suspicious about the car and said it had things fitted to it that it shouldnt have ,
With that we looked inside the service book and saw that its first registration stamp appered to be in an eastern continent.
Ed checked out the vag.com and said that the car had not got an alarm fitted which it should have.
Well with all the printed documents and service book in hand I went to see the salesman and dealer principle today and after checking out the chassis number they confirmed it was originally registred in the UAE in 2006 the middle east and shipped here in 2007.
They say they will look into what happened and will be phoning me to sort things out, But what should I be doing about it in your opinion, because obviously im going to have to tell the insurance company not only its an import but it hasnt got an alarm !!  :mad:
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: Eddie-NL on April 27, 2011, 07:22:46 pm
Hi George
I'm sorry that I was the bearer of the news that it is an import. I have seen some without Air con :confused:
At the very least they should offer to fit an alarm or give you some money back. After all come the time when you trade it in they will offer you less
If you don't get any joy with the dealer in question, contact VW in Milton keynes and trading standards

Ed
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: alexperkins on April 27, 2011, 07:23:52 pm
Thats a tough call. It would cost you more to have this car declared as an import with no alarm, so Id say you have been missold. Trade Descriptions act should help things along with getting refunded/resolved.
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: stealthwolf on April 27, 2011, 08:38:21 pm
Does your insurance company know it's an import? May have a negative impact on premiums!
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: kierongti on April 27, 2011, 08:59:56 pm
my service book has the 'date of delivery' box stamped with a dutch vw dealer stamp... however all its services have been in the UK.... will it we worth less due to it coming from the netherlands?
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: jmspear on April 27, 2011, 09:11:42 pm
Hi Wilcoman, UAE is not good, at least if it comes from the EU (e.g Germany, NL, Scandinavia etc) it will have amn EU certificate of conformity, I bet yours coming from the UAE doesn't it doesn't sound as if it it to UK spec, if it doesn't come with a EU Cert of Conformity it should have had a single vehicle type approval test when it was imported, you may need all of this documentation when you come to sell it, what does the V5 say? does it say who imported it? You need to check it has been properly registered when it was imported.

Was it sold as an approved VW car from a VW main dealer? If yes then it won't have been covered by their approved used scheme, they don't cover imports, I took my EU import in for a trade in to my main delaer and they wouldn't touch it saying they are not allowed to sell on non official UK imported cars as they are not approved VW cars covered by the apporved VW scheme warranty etc, If it was an approved VW car from a main dealer I would be demanding my money back and the garage take it back, if not just a used car from a VW specialist it all depends on how they described it........

Good luck
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: Eddie-NL on April 27, 2011, 09:17:53 pm
my service book has the 'date of delivery' box stamped with a dutch vw dealer stamp... however all its services have been in the UK.... will it we worth less due to it coming from the netherlands?
When you trade a car in, they ask if it is an import? so they will offer you less. however when they sell the car they don't sell them for less :confused:
Personally it doesn't bother me if my next car was an import or not.

The trouble is that car supermarkets sell New cars that are sourced from Malta, Middle East and don't have the same Spec as a UK car. Such as the OP car. Although his car has a very high spec with loads of extras but No alarm.
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: SimonBash on April 27, 2011, 09:37:36 pm
I bought a MK4 GTI back in 2003 from a VW dealer as an approved used car, they declared that it was an import on the advert on vw.co.uk, and the car was about £2,000 less than a like for like UK car.

I paid £11,500 for a 2 year old, 13,000 car which shows you they feel it was worth less.

My car came from Sweden originally BTW.

If I was you I would get them to buy the car back off you based on current UK market value (glasses guide retail price) as they should have made it clear it was an import.

Good luck pal.
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: MattPoss on April 27, 2011, 10:37:50 pm
Mine was PDI'd in Dubai as is very well specced, just wondering whether it has an alarm or not now :scared:

Matt
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: Andy on April 27, 2011, 10:41:53 pm
think i would be asking them for another car
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: Eddie-NL on April 27, 2011, 10:44:40 pm
Hi Matt
look at the headlining for sensor between the grab handles there will also be a switch on the lower B-Pillar to deactivate it


If you have Vag-Com check the convenience Address 46

Address 46: Central Conv.        Labels: 1K0-959-433-MAX.clb
   Part No SW: 1K0 959 433 AR    HW: 1K0 959 433 AR
   Component: 01 KSG PQ35 G2  010 0101  
   Revision: 00010000    Serial number: 00000000000000
   Coding: 989008085103087F2D020F0FF0085FC6F0A440
   Shop #: WSC 01316 785 00200
   VCID: 800B06D4AA6B

   Part No: 1K0 951 605 A
   Component: LIN BACKUP HORN H01 1201

   Part No: 1K0 907 719
   Component: Neigungssensor  003 0003

   Part No: 1K0 951 177
   Component: Innenraumueberw.004 0101

No fault code found.

The parts listed above are the alarm components, if it is not fitted it will be like the one below


Address 46: Central Conv.        Labels: 1K0-959-433-MIN.clb
   Part No: 1K0 959 433 AK
   Component:    KSG              0401  
   Coding: 18C802087F2D0C0F485F018010CC
   Shop #: WSC 00152 210 91233
   VCID: 79FDEB30495F

   Component:   Sounder n.mounted    

   Component:       NGS n.mounted    

   Component:      IRUE n.mounted    

No fault code found.
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: MattPoss on April 27, 2011, 10:51:22 pm
Ahh yeah, I forgot about the switch on the drivers side B Pillar, I'll have a look tomorrow

Cheers Ed :happy2:

Matt
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: no golf clubs at all on April 27, 2011, 10:54:12 pm
Weren't there motorpoint cars in from the UAE?

Seriously if this came from a main dealer I'd be onto VW. I brought a BMW in from Holland, saved a packet, actually got not too bad a trade in but the dealer said as it was an import they were not allowed to sell it from their uk network.

Squeaky wheel gets the oil etc.

Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: Eddie-NL on April 28, 2011, 05:44:04 pm
Weren't there motorpoint cars in from the UAE?

Seriously if this came from a main dealer I'd be onto VW. I brought a BMW in from Holland, saved a packet, actually got not too bad a trade in but the dealer said as it was an import they were not allowed to sell it from their uk network.

Squeaky wheel gets the oil etc.


I thought motorpoint did source from there and malta?
I think a lot of the cars they sold as new had been sitting about for a year or two
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: LouCyffer on April 28, 2011, 07:03:57 pm
The stance here is relatively simple. As a private buyer from a UK dealership, you reasonably assumed that you would get a UK spec car. Unless the HPI check threw something up, and you were made aware of this, the position is that the vehicle has been misrepresented (as under the Sale & Supply Of Goods act). You are therefore entitled to seek full refund from the dealer. If they are not minded to refund you, my advice is to tell them that you will pursue the matter throught the Small Claims Track of the County Court.

I would also inform trading Standards. However, give them chance to act on their own accord before wheeling out the 'big guns'. As a main VW dealer, they act as an agent of VAG group; a phone call to VW UK may not go amiss either. They wiill not want any negative publicity in regard to this.

Finally, go to www.honestjohn.co.uk and take a look through the legal Q&As for help. Emailing Honest John can be useful & replies are received very quickly. Plus the dealer can then be told that as Honest John is on the case, it is likely that this issue will end up in the Motoring section of The Telegraph one saturday. That's a great PR own goal.

Polite but firm. Know your rights. Don't back down. I wouldn't keep this car unless the sale price was equivalent to a similar LHD import. Even then I'd probably want rid; it's worth far less, and an insurance nightmare to cover.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: WILCOMAN on April 28, 2011, 07:26:57 pm
Hi All
Many thanbks to all of you for your comments here is a quick update a day after this has been brought to the attention of the dealer.
This car was purchased from a uk main VW dealer as an approved uk volkswagen.
The second page of the service book where it says vehicle delivery it is clearly stamped with alnabooda llc dated 16/12/06 <since looked that name up and its in united arab emirates>
The third page says barnstable VW Devon date of first registration 1/5/07 so whats going on here ?
The logbook states first registed 1/5/07 and no mention of being imported ?
I contacted the citezens consumer panel today and they told me the following... the dealer dose not have to tell me if its imported if I dont ask them.. But if I can prove the car is an 06 registred car instead of an 07 then the car has been sold not as described and I would have a case against them. the trading standards have been contacted and are looking into the matter. They also told me to send the dealer a letter telling them what they had done and what I expext from them in a certain time and a copy of this letter should be sent to the finance company as well.
I will keep you updated as to what happens next. and by the way I cant drive it as its noiw not legally covered by the insurance as its got no alarm and its an impoted car which they wont cover.  :confused:
Thanks all George.
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: no golf clubs at all on April 28, 2011, 07:31:41 pm
Weren't there motorpoint cars in from the UAE?

Seriously if this came from a main dealer I'd be onto VW. I brought a BMW in from Holland, saved a packet, actually got not too bad a trade in but the dealer said as it was an import they were not allowed to sell it from their uk network.

Squeaky wheel gets the oil etc.


I thought motorpoint did source from there and malta?


Yes Malta but wasn't there also a UAE thing mid 2008-9 where they were prematurely ageing through sand ingress?

My memory is pish through years of self abuse lol. OP I hope you get this sorted. Stick with it. Vw dealers do not sell imported cars. Afaik.
I think a lot of the cars they sold as new had been sitting about for a year or two
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: swiftlupogti on April 28, 2011, 07:55:03 pm
Hi All
Many thanbks to all of you for your comments here is a quick update a day after this has been brought to the attention of the dealer.
This car was purchased from a uk main VW dealer as an approved uk volkswagen.
The second page of the service book where it says vehicle delivery it is clearly stamped with alnabooda llc dated 16/12/06 <since looked that name up and its in united arab emirates>
The third page says barnstable VW Devon date of first registration 1/5/07 so whats going on here ?
The logbook states first registed 1/5/07 and no mention of being imported ?
I contacted the citezens consumer panel today and they told me the following... the dealer dose not have to tell me if its imported if I dont ask them.. But if I can prove the car is an 06 registred car instead of an 07 then the car has been sold not as described and I would have a case against them. the trading standards have been contacted and are looking into the matter. They also told me to send the dealer a letter telling them what they had done and what I expext from them in a certain time and a copy of this letter should be sent to the finance company as well.
I will keep you updated as to what happens next. and by the way I cant drive it as its noiw not legally covered by the insurance as its got no alarm and its an impoted car which they wont cover.  :confused:
Thanks all George.

does the car have an immobiliser?who was your insurance with?
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: Eddie-NL on April 28, 2011, 08:00:36 pm
Yes the car has an immobiliser
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: WILCOMAN on April 28, 2011, 08:25:47 pm
Yes Eddie is right it has an immobiliser but no alarm and it was insured through RIAS as a UK model golf with factory fitted alarm and immobiliser.
But as we now know its neither UK and it hasnt got an alarm. :mad:
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: WILCOMAN on April 30, 2011, 08:31:50 pm
Hi All.
Just another quick update, The letters were all sent off today when out of the blue the main VW dealer gave me a call and asked if them fitting a thatcham cat 1 alarm system would be acceptable.
I said no im sorry I want the car replaced with another one of the same specifcation and not an import.
Without hesitation the dealer said they will do all they can to rectify the problem and pay any expenses incurred while they are in the process of doing it.
So we will have to wait and see what they do next tuesday when all the letters arrive.
Will keep you updated George.
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: stealthwolf on April 30, 2011, 08:36:45 pm
asked if them fitting a thatcham cat 1 alarm system would be acceptable.
I'd also want to paid any premium increase in insurance due to it being an import, as well as any potential loss from when selling (though hard to quantify since it depends on when you sell it).
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: WILCOMAN on April 30, 2011, 08:45:00 pm
Hi no as I said I want the car replaced..
Im certainly not keeping it now.
Title: Re: Buying an imported car ? without being told its an import
Post by: Eddie-NL on April 30, 2011, 08:49:51 pm
Hi George
I have to agree with you

Ed