Though most people in the market for a new car would happily like to import a car of their liking, they don’t have a clue where to start and would prefer somebody else to handle the paperwork for them. Agencies can remove the hassle associated with importing your car, give helpful advice on new models etc. and assist you with all of the necessary paperwork with the DVLA and Customs & Excise. Apart from the usual savings available agencies can often obtain fleet discounts to reduce prices even further.
Advantages of importing a car:
- A lot of money can be saved
- Your car will be exactly the same (or of a higher specification.
- The car can be bought with a full manufacturer’s (minimum 12 months) warranty.
- Insurance premiums are the same as local supply of cars
- Most finance companies will finance EU supplied models.
Myths about importing a car
- Importing a car is difficult
The importing process will be as easy as buying a car from a franchised dealer or another garage if you use a reputable import agency.
- Main dealers won’t service imported cars
This is another myth associated with car imports. While a garage could refuse to service any car, it is not likely that they would do the same just because it is an imported car. All franchised dealers are legally obliged to carry out warranty work on cars regardless of their origin.
- Car will have no manufacturer’s warranty
- Cars that are imported will also come with the manufacturers’ warranty.
- Car will not be to full U.S/U.K specification
If purchased through an agency that specializes in the make of your choice, your car will be at least to full UK/US specification. You must get details from relevant brochures to check the exact specification and equipment levels on your car.
Car residual value will be worth less than same US/ UK supplied model.
All cars are built in the same factory, on the same production line as US/UK supplied models and for ‘Parallel Import’ cars delivered after April this year registration documents are all declared ‘New at First Registration’.
General advice for importing your car
1. Check the credibility of the company handling your car purchase.
2. Do not pay an agency the full price of the car in advance.
3. Check to see that all correspondence is confirmed in writing.
4. Look out for currency fluctuations. Fix a rate if you can ask your broker about their customers and how many cars they have delivered.
5. If you have to pay the agency direct, only pay in full when your car has been delivered.
6. Do your own research.
You can save a lot of import of car models such as Chevrolet, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Daewoo etc. Fantastic bargains can also be made in the import of cars of different makes. But you have to be clear regarding the model you would like to buy and the budget regarding car purchase.
