BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!
We now have a crazy situation in the UK where you could import a Range Rover
AND a Freelander for the cost of just the Range Rover from a UK dealer!
And the wonder why private car sales are plummeting.

GREY IMPORTS
Grey imports, usually from Japan, are vehicles that cannot usually be bought from main dealers in the UK. Japan's strict motoring rules and hefty costs provide a ready supply of nearly new right-hand-drive vehicles.

A Number of specialist firms cater for this market and should all carry the British Independent Motor Traders Association (BIMTA) symbol. Many also offer associated services and warranties.

• Specifications can be quite different to similar UK models but none should deter you from considering a grey import;
• Japanese EQUIPMENT are usually far superior to UK. Air-Con is usually standard as are electric windows and alloys.
• TYRES do not always meet UK speed ratings as speed limiters are fitted as standard to most cars over there
• EMMISSIONS are considered to be on par with UK standards but from January 2001 new cars will be required to undergo a UK test.
• SPEEDOMETERS in Japan are in Kilometers and MUST be changed to miles.
• RUST. Due to their fairly short 'shelf-life' Japanese cars are not rust-proofed to UK standards and a treatment should be considered after purchase.
• BRAINS, The ECUs of Grey imports do not speak English! so servicing by a specialist firm is often required.
• AUDIO equipment in imports can sometimes be incompatible with UK frequencies but are usually to a higher spec than standard UK fit.

PARALLEL IMPORTS
Parallel imports are UK specification vehicles that are bought 'tax-free' from a foreign source then pay the duty at UK rates.

All vehicles must conform to UK safety and emmissions standards, but as these are also available in the UK there is usually no difference in standards.

From July 2000 all vehicles imported, whether Private or commercial must undergo an SVA test (Single Vehicle Approval) and from January 2001 these tests will get tougher.

In practise though all these considerations are taken care of buy agents importing the vehicles for you.

AGENTS
Whenever you use an agent, ALWAYS use BIMTA approved dealers, do not just go to the one offering the best price in the classified of your local paper.

Always ask for an estimated delivery time if they do not already have the vehicle you want in stock. Some delivery times can take upwards of 6 months as manufacturers try to drag their feet supplying a UK spec vehicle to a foreign dealer, suspecting that it is just coming straight back again.

If possible pay deposits with a credit card as you will be covered by the card company if something goes wrong and the dealer dissappears.

Some dealers offer a simple 'contact' service and just put you in contact with the dealer for a fee and offering advice , leaving you to do all the legwork and form filling. Others handle the whole transaction on your behalf and even deliver the car to your door, but obviously charge quite a bit more.