JimFR

Help!


So I just paid the money to a main dealer for a 19000 mile, 2009 S2000 good condition other than the wheels ( 3 need a refurb so will also need to get the Geo checked as well). HPI and Insurance clear. Told it was a UK car.

Was planning to pick her up on Monday. However Just got of the phone to Honda UK having just been told that its an import.

I've just spoken to the dealer who seemed unaware of this as they took it in as part ex on an Aston Matin so was also bit shocked as it has implications his part Ex price. He is going to look into it and worse case offer a full refund.

Any thoughts? Did EU cars differ much in 2009? Are there insurance implications? Most importantly how much less should I pay?

Thanks James

U9aXy6Dn

I would be very, very concerned about any main dealer who sold an import car, thinking it was a UK car.

The VINs are different. What else haven't they looked at?

jimmyb1978

Whilst it may be a good one, personally I'd insist on having a refund.

JimFR

Well Ive just got off the phone to my insurance company the quote has gone from a £89 excess payment on top of what I pay for a Vauxhall Astra. To Sorry Sir we won't cover imports. Just to add insult to injury Honda UK only have records of 2 services with the last done in 2010. The service book is fully stamped till 2014 so I'm smelling a rat. My head is saying reject the car however the heart is less willing.
Looks like I will have to ring the individual dealers.

V-esi

If the service book has been stamped from Honda and Honda have no history of it, then I would believe that the book has been falsely completed. That alone would have me asking questions and ultimately walking away unless the car was heavily discounted. Can you check previous MOT's to help clarify mileage and when it entered the UK?

oli_d2003

All main dealer service stamps up until 2014?
If so the Honda dealer you bought it from should be doing all the legwork and getting paperwork sorted to back up the service history - not you.

If your insurance company doesn't want to know due to it being an import then surely you shouldn't either - go with your head and insist on full refund.

Daytona-Dave

If his insurance is saying no to imports then i'd change insurance companys

lovegroova

I'd also clarify that it's a European import and not one from Japan. I'd be very surprised if any insurance company refused cover on an EU car.

scruffeh

Two schools of thought, depending on how brave you're feeling:

1) Lean on the dealer hard, get a hefty discount to make it worth while. However get it checked over by an independant specialist, and ensure that the warranty information you get from the dealer is watertight in your favour.

2) Run a country mile.

JimFR

Things are looking up, the dealer has produced some paperwork: the old MOT slips, and some paperwork relating to the service handbook which is correct.

Strange however that Honda UK have no record of the later services. Apparently it relies on the servicing dealer updating the database with sometimes might not happen.

Regards the origins of the car it looks to have been imported new from Cyprus. However Honda UK are looking into this.

Apparently the Experian check suggests its a UK car.

Just got off the phone to Adrian Flux who state that it being an EU import doesn't make any difference and are happy to quote me.

Been speaking to the dealer about a discount but this is looking unlikely, as to be honest was very reasonably priced given the age and milage.

+ the new Honda Floor matts have just arrived.