A mate of mine was wondering how you would tell that an Impreza had been bought in from europe, any ideas would be greatly recieved.
I heard something about chassis numbers, more details?
Ron

 

...the steering wheel might be on the wrong side

R

 

Running the chassis number past a UK dealer might give you the info.

 

First thing is there's no "Impreza Turbo 2000 AWD" sticker on the back, though many UK owners don't have them fitted too. After that, the easiest way is to lift the bonnet - the sticker at the front giving some details of the engine is in Dutch (or whatever). Also, the sticker saying "thou shalt let the engine cool off a bit after drivin' 'ard" on the driver's door will be in foreign, and the distances in km not miles.

The dead giveaway is on MY00 models at least, there's no numberpad for the alarm inside the cabin.

Hope this helps!
Richard (MY00 from Holland @ £16k )

 

Are the manual and service books in Dutch too?

Mick

 

Sorry Richard,
you're not totally correct there. My MY99 is from Belgium, and the door sticker is in English with miles, as are the bits under the bonnet.

The chassis number is also the same as UK sourced UK cars.

My serice book is in Flemish which is the only giveaway.

Oh, and my car is Sonic Blue! (bit of a clue) If I'd got it in mica it would nearly be inpossible to spot.

Ask to see the invoice for the purchase. THis is filled in by the dealer and will show you where the car originated.

BTW Richard, do you work in Stevenage?...

 

Service book is in dutch and its de-badged at the back no "2000 turbo AWD".

Clocks in MPH, and the dealer will either give the english manual there and then, or he will obtain it at a later date from subaru japan and send it to your house by post, thats what he did with me.

Not to sure about the chassis number difference so I won't say.
But hey, at just over £16,000, the chassis can say anything it likes!!!

See Ya
*IDRIS*

 

Dunno if Richard got an early one, but my MY00 from Holland has stickers and notices in English. There's no Impreza Turbo 2000 AWD on the back, the log book (v5) might say "Inmpreza GT" in model (or it might be as UK...)

The only real difference is the warranty, and the only way to get a UK warranty book is to buy a car from the UK.

Finally, he should remind the seller that he is *legally obliged* to describe it fairly and also, if it is an import, he has to pass on the VAT payment receipt.

As long as the price is right, I'd buy a used import (I would say that, wouldn't I?), but mine was about 16k with aircon brand new...

 

You have to describe goods for sale fairly - but equally the law requires that you cannot and do not differentiate between products bought from different European countries (open borders etc).

Last year the law changed and so V5 do not show imports as imports.

R

 

Nick - I think you got yours from a different dealer. My stickers were in (double) dutch. Log book is always in Dutch, sourced myself an English manual (dealer later sent me a MY99 one for my MY00 car!).

My V5 says "Impreza Turbo 2000 AWD" because that's what I wrote on the form

Richard

sickboy - no, I work near Royston, N Herts...

 

if you are buying a used import to uk spec the only difference you will notice is the service book is Illegible to human beings ( brits) no turbo2000 sticker on the back , and an owner who is realistic about its value , which is not to say it is worth less money , how could it be unless it's under 3 yrs old . the future value of all cars bought now ,not just scoobs ,will be dictated by the price you can buy one for abroad . you just see if i'm wrong .

 

Ron

Phone IM and give them the chassis number, they'll be able to tell you if it's a uk model straight away.

Si

[This message has been edited by Si (edited 14-06-2000).]

 

Choice of Uk colours is also restricted on newish cars (lst couple of years) to a staggering...5

So if its not White, Red, Green, Silver or Dark Blue Mica its very likely to be an import.


AllanB