Buying an import

Third Opinion · 13 Nov 2012 at 11:42

Went to see a car the other day and quite liked it. The price was good and the condition excellent. However it was a 2005 and I know they didn't sell them over here at that time so it definitely has been imported.

I didn't agree to buy it at the time but I am still interested as the service history is great and the mileage excellent as is the condition.

Being imported I thought I better run an insurance check. This is were the problem has arisen. The online checkers give me a choice of 2 different cars with that reg number. They are the right make but both the wrong model.

Is this normal or as I am suspecting it is dodgy? I have never bought an import before.

LizardKing · 13 Nov 2012 at 11:49

Imports are never quite right on reg checkers i've found! Though never come across one with the wrong model.

With imports i always go with the assumption they are clocked so buy on condition rather than the odometer and give a full service on purchase! Its funny how jap imports are nearly all ~60k miles :rolleyes:

The Running Man · 13 Nov 2012 at 11:58

Is it? Maybe the Japanese want to sell before they hit 100k in km on the clock? I'll let you work out the miles...

p1RATE · 13 Nov 2012 at 13:16

i would imagine this has been entered into the system wrong so you will have to inform them by phone of the exact model, most insurers will try and verify this when you try and purchase a policy anyway and run though engine and spec etc. If you do insure it under a different model dont expect to get a pay out, providing you have it insured as what it is i can see no problem with it.

In my experience jap imports have typically been better examples than a lot of UK cars. out of interest, what is it?

Frenzy · 13 Nov 2012 at 13:20

The Running Man said:
Is it? Maybe the Japanese want to sell before they hit 100k in km on the clock? I'll let you work out the miles...

I was under the impression this is what japs do too, my imported mr2 was similar.

Third Opinion · 13 Nov 2012 at 13:40

No its not Jap, it's Italian.

It is right hand drive etc. I did work with somebody who had same car on an 06. I remember them saying they had to be bought in especially.

OpenToSuggestions · 13 Nov 2012 at 19:03

My car is a Jap import and I have no paperwork for it. All I did was an HPI text check.
I find many insurers do not know what it is from the registration plate. However Admiral did when I told them it over the phone, yet an online quote couldn't find it. Wierd.

The Running Man · 13 Nov 2012 at 19:11

Frenzy said:
I was under the impression this is what japs do too, my imported mr2 was similar.

Ya as did mine. But mine has all the original Toyota paperwork and log book. Not translated it like but I'm sure I could test that theory.

Other reasons cars get listed at 60k would be things like cambelt/ water pump time.

Westyfield2 · 13 Nov 2012 at 20:53

Alarm bells would be ringing for me if it's an import and the seller isn't telling you so.

I've got RenaultSport Clio 182 (UK model with Cup packs), but you have to be careful with them as there's quite a few European imports knocking about and they're different spec. That said, they're all made in the same French factory

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Third Opinion · 13 Nov 2012 at 21:02

No I knew it was imported as I know these cars ceased being sold in this engine model and spec in 2001, the car was manufactured in 2005.

Haggisman · 13 Nov 2012 at 21:27

The reason Jap imports generally have lower mileage (and better condition) is because of their ridiculously stringent MOT (Shaken). Can often be more financially sound to export a perfectly good car rather than scrapping it.

p1RATE · 13 Nov 2012 at 21:34

Third Opinion said:
No I knew it was imported as I know these cars ceased being sold in this engine model and spec in 2001, the car was manufactured in 2005.

by the sounds of it its probably not imported, maybe just hasn't been registered for a few years. why would they sell a rhd car in Italy?? did the seller mention anything or have you just assumed?

mjt · 13 Nov 2012 at 22:26

What is it?

Third Opinion · 14 Nov 2012 at 09:14

mjt said:
What is it?

I am ready to get slated here. It's an Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6. They stopped selling them officially in the UK in 2002. This is a 2005, I know some were acquired unofficially after 2002. Like I said I worked with somebody who had one on an 06 plate.

p1RATE · 14 Nov 2012 at 09:31

Alfa 156’s are pretty cool cars

, chances are it was a special order or there is a remote chance that its sat in storage at a dealers somewhere and registered at a later date, it does happen occasionally. There are a lot of alfa enthusiasts out there so someone could have requested it at the factory and had it supplied in 2005. Get your head into the paperwork and ask the seller.

Third Opinion · 14 Nov 2012 at 09:46

Unfortunately it seems to be over before it started.

Walked into work this morning to find the company is closing with immediate effect to many of our jobs. The Alfa was going to be for the missus to run about in and me to have a hoon in at weekends to get me out of the diesel.

Looks like we will only need one car for the moment