how do you tell if a car is imported

[willy wonka]

Hi All I am looking at buying a car and have phoned the local main dealer for some info and been told it maybe an import as it does not show on their database.How can i tell? the only information have is the reg number at the moment.I have tried dvla website and cant see anything that is odd. the dealer says the car is hpi clear.

Willy

[balls-out]

ISTR that the V5 will usually say 'declared new at time of registration by manufacturer' or something.
I assume imports don't say that.
I have an import - I'll check the V5 when I get home if you like.

[Mastodon2]

As we have seen in the past, a dealer saying a car is HPI clear does not count for a lot. Definitely do your own. As for telling if it's an import, isn't there a form for the tests that import cars have to go in the supplied paperwork?

[James_N]

I think imports have aftermarket rear fog light and square number plates (at least on the S2k)

Stand to be corrected mind!

[5potTurbo]

Willy

A lot of manufacturers have online databases where you can search using the VIN, but the databases aren't always easily located.

They can list the full spec as the car left the factory, plus which market the car was made for.

e.g. www.etis.ford.com
Creating a User account and entering the VIN for my car, for example, would show the car was manufactured for the Finnish market.

[Horns]

balls-out said:

ISTR that the V5 will usually say 'declared new at time of registration by manufacturer' or something.
I assume imports don't say that.
I have an import - I'll check the V5 when I get home if you like.

Mine says "WAS REGISTERED AND/OR USED DECLARED MANUFACTURED 1986"

[5potTurbo]

James_N said:

I think imports have aftermarket rear fog light and square number plates (at least on the S2k)

Stand to be corrected mind!

Depends which market the car was made for ... OP hasn't stated car make/model?

[balls-out]

Heres a sample V5 on the web
http://www.neptunepinkfloyd.co.uk/gallery/main.php...

If has the words 'Previously registered and/or used overseas prior to first registration...'

Surely therefore the DVLA can tell you?
- what am I saying - the DVLA being helpful?

Edited by balls-out on Wednesday 22 September 18:34

[anonymous-user]

what car is it? japanease/usa/european import?

[willy wonka]

Thanks for the quick response's the car is a Mini Cooper S.Its a 2 hour drive to go and view it and want to be sure before i make the trip
Willy

[BOR]

They're all made in England.