Features of national imports: where to look when buying a “gray” car
- July 21, 2023
- 0
It is now possible to buy a new car from a well-known brand, and it often costs even less than if it were sold “officially”. However, there are
It is now possible to buy a new car from a well-known brand, and it often costs even less than if it were sold “officially”. However, there are “subtleties” everywhere: even if the documents are in order and customs duties are paid in full, the car may have hidden “features” that open only during operation.
In addition to Chinese cars that have already sharpened their teeth, official dealers continue to sell well-known cars: Toyota Camry and Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero and Pajero Sport, Kia Sportage and K5, Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe and many others. The car is available, the title is received, go to the checkout. Even prices have already returned to normal and calmed down: dealers frankly admit that there is no great demand and queues, although credit lines, service, etc. are fully provided. However, these machines, while officially looking like they were officially delivered, often have one very unpleasant feature.
They are delivered to us via “parallel import”: bought in another country – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, UAE, Armenia, Georgia and the list goes on – and brought to Russia privately. The seller of each car intends to earn the maximum possible amount, so that first of all he will offer the customer a “package”: they know that they are greeted by our clothes. For these reasons, it is impossible to find a car in the minimum configuration. And not because they are not brought. Also how they deliver it.
Moreover, many “dealers” are looking for such, initially cheap cars, but then, right at the place of the transaction, they invest another thousand and a half US dollars in them, dress the initially rag interior in the cheapest leather from “young leatherette”, change the steering wheel, install cameras and parktronics, radio tape recorders with large screens and other “rich” options so that the car arrives in Russia already in the “pre-top” configuration. And in this form they offer it to hungry domestic buyers.
Of course, all this will not “wear out” from the word “completely”: the skin will immediately peel off, the radio tape recorder will “go out”, the camera, hand-embedded in the wiring, will soon leave for another world, taking with it part of the factory electronics. We remind you that there are no guarantees for such cars: you should not take to heart the exhortations of the seller, only business. It is necessary to resolve the questions that have risen to their full height on their own and at their own expense.
How not to fall into this trap? It’s very simple: the VIN code of the car contains not only the color, place of manufacture and market of the vehicle, but also the equipment. It is easy to decipher and you can do it completely free on the accessible Russian Internet. There you will discover that the divine Camry was originally “on a rag”, that it had no options other than air conditioning, and all that profanity that the salesman circles around with a broad gesture is a handiwork that takes place in the endless garages of Tbilisi.
A warned person counts for two. If not for a complete refusal, then at least this argument will be enough for a generous bargain.
Photo: AvtoVzglyad
In addition to Chinese cars that have already sharpened their teeth, official dealers continue to sell well-known cars: Toyota Camry and Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero and Pajero Sport, Kia Sportage and K5, Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe and many others. The car is available, the title is received, go to the checkout. Even prices have already returned to normal and calmed down: dealers frankly admit that there is no great demand and queues, although credit lines, service, etc. are fully provided. However, these machines, while officially looking like they were officially delivered, often have one very unpleasant feature.
They are delivered to us via “parallel import”: bought in another country – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, UAE, Armenia, Georgia and the list goes on – and brought to Russia privately. The seller of each car intends to earn the maximum possible amount, so that first of all he will offer the customer a “package”: they know that they are greeted by our clothes. For these reasons, it is impossible to find a car in the minimum configuration. And not because they are not brought. Also how they deliver it.
Moreover, many “dealers” are looking for such, initially cheap cars, but then, right at the place of the transaction, they invest another thousand and a half US dollars in them, dress the initially rag interior in the cheapest leather from “young leatherette”, change the steering wheel, install cameras and parktronics, radio tape recorders with large screens and other “rich” options so that the car arrives in Russia already in the “pre-top” configuration. And in this form they offer it to hungry domestic buyers.
Of course, all this will not “wear out” from the word “completely”: the skin will immediately peel off, the radio tape recorder will “go out”, the camera, hand-embedded in the wiring, will soon leave for another world, taking with it part of the factory electronics. We remind you that there are no guarantees for such cars: you should not take to heart the exhortations of the seller, only business. It is necessary to resolve the questions that have risen to their full height on their own and at their own expense.
How not to fall into this trap? It’s very simple: the VIN code of the car contains not only the color, place of manufacture and market of the vehicle, but also the equipment. It is easy to decipher and you can do it completely free on the accessible Russian Internet. There you will discover that the divine Camry was originally “on a rag”, that it had no options other than air conditioning, and all that profanity that the salesman circles around with a broad gesture is a handiwork that takes place in the endless garages of Tbilisi.
A warned person counts for two. If not for a complete refusal, then at least this argument will be enough for a generous bargain.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
Donald Salinas is an experienced automobile journalist and writer for Div Bracket. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of automobiles, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry.
