MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: gazbutS3 on November 19, 2009, 04:53:33 pm

Title: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: gazbutS3 on November 19, 2009, 04:53:33 pm
As above really, friend of mine is looking at a regular GTI at a garage that is known to have dealt in afew imports in the past, what is the easiest, quickest most obvious way of telling if its an import?

cheers fellas :happy2:
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: Top Cat on November 19, 2009, 04:55:54 pm
No spare in the boot.
Also just ring up another dealer and ask to do a run on the plate.

Oh and the steering wheel on the left.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: animal on November 19, 2009, 04:58:57 pm
You could check the VIN with the DVLA?
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: gazbutS3 on November 19, 2009, 05:00:41 pm
No spare in the boot.
Also just ring up another dealer and ask to do a run on the plate.

Oh and the steering wheel on the left.  :laugh:

U a funny guy, yer car looks mint at Jays place pal :happy2:
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: Top Cat on November 19, 2009, 05:11:34 pm
No spare in the boot.
Also just ring up another dealer and ask to do a run on the plate.

Oh and the steering wheel on the left.  :laugh:

U a funny guy, yer car looks mint at Jays place pal :happy2:

I know  :jumping: i will get some more pics up when he sends them across. He has done a great job. I got lucky with the weather so the roads were dry when i drove it home. I have been to the garage twice now just to have a look.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: gazbutS3 on November 19, 2009, 05:15:16 pm
I did that on Sunday, was scared to touch it, its still looks pretty clean after driving it all week in the sh1tty weather :smiley:
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: gillm on November 19, 2009, 08:30:36 pm
log book, as the pdi would have been done in germany .

nothing wrtong with imports . mine is , i could not wait 6 months for my local dealer to supply me a gti plus they are wankers
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: JonnyG on November 19, 2009, 09:25:49 pm
As above, tell tale signs would be :-

1. Original PDI stamp in the Service book, (if imported will be a dealer in Germany, Holland, or Denmark etc...)
2. Foreign language handbook & manuals;   
3. Number plates may not show a VW UK dealer name (but an importer name such as Motorpoint);
4. Puncture repair kit instead of spacesaver spare wheel.

Having said that the only sure way is to find out through VW UK, or via a dealer.

How old is the GTi he's looking at ?   cos if it's more than 3 years old it will be out of warranty regardless of where it came from.   
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: gazbutS3 on November 19, 2009, 10:09:25 pm
cheers fellas :happy2:, the particular car is a 56 plate, so yes will be pretty much out of warranty. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with imports, I've bought import bikes many times but there is a bit of a stigma with them that affects the resale, I didn't want my pal to get caught out by the dealer not declaring it and asking uk car money :smiley:
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: stealthwolf on November 19, 2009, 10:29:25 pm

Oh and the steering wheel on the left.  :laugh:
Lol I was about to say the same thing when I read the OP's post.

But yeah log book/ PDI/ VW dealer is the way I would have done it.
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: fiddlermay2003 on January 09, 2010, 01:25:00 pm
They are ALL imports  !!  Even the shiny ones in the franchised dealers showrooms.

 I got mine from "Euro Imports". BRILLIANT. The service was SECOND TO NONE.  Mountains of paperwork .Businesslike from day one. Everything just PERFECT . Oh , and I've got a spare  wheel, and an English language handbook etc. It was also delivered from Sussex to Chesterfield on a brand new Mercedes car transporter ( driven by someone who cared about my cars welfare) for £125 !!  The trick is to get one that comes  directly  from a GERMAN dealer with the correct UK spec. And go to a reputable broker.  Not via Cyprus or God knows wherelse.

I got a 3rd years warranty at my local dealer (and I shall get a 4th ) and they have never made any rude remarks about it being an import.  And they love servicing it........ 'cos I pay 'em. !!   Import ? Only done 7000 miles in 3 years . It's like money for old rope for them. That's what they are there for ...to take money - import or not !!

Just be sensible and careful.  Buying a so called import need not be a disaster.

Paul.
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: candy turbo on January 09, 2010, 02:57:11 pm
avoid the ones from cyprus !!! every dealer in the country will smash you as a px cause the suppling dealer is taking there trade if you get my motor  POINT
Title: Re: Easiest way to tell if a GTI is an import?
Post by: fiddlermay2003 on January 09, 2010, 07:08:28 pm
I get what you mean, but times are tough  out there even for dealers. Nice condition cars are nice condition cars. And what we're talking about here is a piece of metal with a piece of rubber on each corner, NOT the crown jewels....... IT'S ONLY A CAR  !!!