MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: paul71 on July 29, 2011, 10:10:43 pm

Title: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: paul71 on July 29, 2011, 10:10:43 pm

Does anyone know how to tell if a gti is an import? Had vw dealer look at car today and offered very poor trade in saying it wasn't a uk car. They said spec was same as uk car but lettering under bonnet was german!? If it is an import what is difference between it and uk car that makes it worth less?

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: Eddie-NL on July 29, 2011, 10:13:03 pm

look in the owners handbook, the dealer that did the PDI will have stamped it.

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: blackmagic on July 29, 2011, 11:32:40 pm

Two that come to mind:-

1. No ultrasonic interior alarm. Just standard alarm using door switches etc
2. Tyre repair kit in spare wheel well instead of a proper spare wheel.

I'm sure others can add a few more

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: parks on July 30, 2011, 12:00:30 am

Something to do with the air con dials being digital on uk one and manual controls on imports

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: paul71 on July 30, 2011, 12:33:18 am

Thanks everyone for the information.My car got the correct electronic aircon and spare wheel not sure about alarm, has small switch on door pillar. It hasn't got original service book so not sure if pdi'd in uk or not but service book goes back to 1st service in uk. Assumed original lost. I can see if it had manual aircon etc why it wouldn't have same value as uk supplied car.

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: scotta on July 30, 2011, 12:40:58 am

Wheel on the Left side of the car....... :signLOL:

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: paul71 on July 30, 2011, 12:47:20 am

 ha your right its got two in fact but looked on otherside and wheels on that side as well so I'm still not sure?!

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: blackmagic on July 30, 2011, 12:54:30 am

Sounds like if it is an import that it is a full UK spec car. Guess only way to tell is through paperwork. Would have thought VW might be able to say via VIN number.

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: paul71 on July 30, 2011, 01:01:10 am

Yeah might be worth email to vw customer service. Dealer didn't seem 100% certain so I wondered if they were using it as an excuse to make low offer. I would expect webuyanycar.com to beat the offer they made!

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: psw mk5 on July 30, 2011, 08:05:45 am

Quote from: paul71 on July 30, 2011, 01:01:10 am

Yeah might be worth email to vw customer service. Dealer didn't seem 100% certain so I wondered if they were using it as an excuse to make low offer. I would expect webuyanycar.com to beat the offer they made!

. Don't bet on it .... :sad1:

Title: Re: How do I know if car is an import
Post by: LouCyffer on July 30, 2011, 08:25:34 am

Paul, the small switch on the door pillar is the switch for the anti-towing part of the alarm. If your car has to be towed or transported, you need to use the switch first to stop it screaming it's alarm off :happy2:

A UK car will be 'declared new at first registration' on your V5C. An import has slightly different terminology, if I recall correctly. Besides, a phone call to the previous registered keeper never goes amiss, you can find out a lot about a potential purchase.