Is it an Import?

[gbjeppm]

Having discovered the VIN checker recently I decided that I would put my Dad's W210 through it, as you can see it is a pretty nice spec.

He bought it as a signature used car from MB about 3-4 years ago, and we have thought nothing of it.

Anyway, after running the VIN checker, this looks to me like an import, as the Dealer is based in Monaco.

So questions. Is it an import? If so, should I now be concerned, as it is 7 years old.

Personally I would have expected an MB dealer not to be selling imported cars, or stating that it was an import. He certainly did not pay Import money.

Any advice thoughts, gratefully received.

VIN's, Etc blanked as posted on forum



VINWDB210*********
Plant50
ModelE 320
Chassis210********
Engine112941************
Transmission722618************
TyresPrimaryCONTINENTAL
Order0 9 531******
LightsHELLA
Cab00000
Delivery date01.03.00
DealerFrance, Monaco (531)
Interiorleather anthracite (211)
Paint339violane metallic (с 01.01.1994)
Options205owner's manual and maintenance booklet 2) (с 01.11.1971)
reference plate, coolant 2)
220parking aid (с 01.10.1993)
241left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
249automatically dipping inside rear view mirror (с 01.06.1990)
275front seat positioned lower
memory package (driver's seat, steering column, mirror) (с 01.10.1993)
278installation kit for D net mobile telephone (Nokia 3110) (с 01.04.1997)
289wooden/leather steering wheel (dia. 390 mm)
wood-/leather steering wheel (ш 390mm) and leather gearshift (с 01.02.1993)
multiple contour backrest for right rear single seat
345rains sensor for windshield wipers (с 01.10.1993)
352operation and monitoring system comand (navigation + radio/cassette) (с 01.09.1996)
414electric tilting/sliding roof in glass version (с 01.10.1988)
4235 speed automatic transmission / nag (с 01.03.1994)
461instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
500outside rear view mirror left and right, folding (с 01.10.1993)
540roller blind, electric, for rear window (с 01.05.1985)
543sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
551anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
581automatic climate control (с 01.01.1977)
600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
611courtesy lamps for front and rear doors, with W124 also for central doors/W202 front doors only (с 01.11.1978)
617headlamps and fog lamps or additional high beam light, amber, and additional halogen fog lamp (from april 1st, 1970); additional turn signal lamps for italy, and rear turn signal lamps, orange
xenon headlight asymmetric, left driving traffic (с 01.03.1994)
673high-capacity battery (с 01.01.1964)
677avantgarde chassis (с 01.01.1997)
680Unknown code691blue heat-insulating glass all round, rear window, single pane safety glass (с 01.02.1995)
735Unknown code800Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
819CD changer - alpine - in trunk (с 31.07.1992)
833
876interior light assembly (с 01.10.1997)
877reading lamp in the rear (с 01.11.1963)
882passenger compartment protection/towing-off protection (with anti-theft warning system only) (с 01.07.1993)
91014V/65A alternator
alternator with increased capacity (с 01.11.1990)
915fuel tank, 70 liter (с 01.05.1988)
954equipment package for avantgarde vehicles (с 01.06.1993)
rotating emergeny flasher, front (red light)
984elimination of ownership certificate but with coc papers (с 01.06.1993)

 

[SL300-24]

No real problems at 7 years old. The original warranty may have been shorter, the mobilolife should be the same. My W211 was sold by MB Sheffield at 3 months old, having been originally delivered in Belgium.

 

[saorbust]

Yep thats an import. The order code is a givaway.

Regarding dealers - I sold one of the Cars I imported to a dealer - they had no issue with it.

 

[television]

The car has code 833, that is additional parts for a UK vehicle.

It could be that the owner lived in XXX and found it easier to take delivery there,

 

[Shude]

The car has code 833, that is additional parts for a UK vehicle.

It could be that the owner lived in XXX and found it easier to take delivery there,

So we're saying it's not an import, it was just ordered from/delivered to a dealership in Monaco?

If it was intended for use in Monaco surely it'd be LHD? Nice colour btw!

 

[Dieselman]

It's an import, just to UK spec.

 

[gbjeppm]

Its definitely RHD, first owner was based in Scotland, so I suppose he ordered it into Monaco and drove it back to the UK.

Its now rusting round the front arches, so about to help my Dad get it sorted by MB. It is garaged and only done 41k miles, and currently 7 years old, so best get it sorted now I think. ( I checked it today, he had not noticed the rust yet!!!!!)

Hopefully MB Worcester will help him get it sorted, I have read a lot of the excellent advice on the forum about how to proceed, so hope that MBUK will honour this under the goodwill policy.

 

[television]

I did the same going to Sweden, and I have friends who have more than one address, it would have been easy from Monaco, just to slip across the border to pick it up, so nothing wrong, as said its a UK car

 

[Shude]

It's an import, just to UK spec.

Well technically all MB vehicles are imported as they are not manufactured in the UK . How does this differ from a factory collection?

 

[television]

Well technically all MB vehicles are imported as they are not manufactured in the UK . How does this differ from a factory collection?

I do not think that they do. you order what you want and what spec you want and thats it, living in Monaco he was not short of a £ or to, it could be TAX reasons, or price, who knows.

My 1998 V70R was bought new from Holland with a UK spec, this car was £39k in the uk, and the import price was £8k cheaper

 

[Dieselman]

All official UK cars are ordered via MB-UK, if the point of collection is the factory it is still a UK car covered by UK warranties.

If the car is an Import car it is covered under the standard EU warranty only.

 

[crockers]

My wife's Honda was made just up the road shipped to Holland - then shipped back to a dealer (non Honda) in Leicester - we saved £3000 + - all to UK spec - UK manual - only give away is the service book is in dutch - dealer here has no problems stamping it. Our last one was made in Japan - shipped in via Cyprus - full eu conformortity certificate - no problems insuring it or selling it on.

 

[television]

My wife's Honda was made just up the road shipped to Holland - then shipped back to a dealer (non Honda) in Leicester - we saved £3000 + - all to UK spec - UK manual - only give away is the service book is in dutch - dealer here has no problems stamping it. Our last one was made in Japan - shipped in via Cyprus - full eu conformortity certificate - no problems insuring it or selling it on.

As you rightly say there is no problem in selling these things on, most imports have a much higher spec than the UK cars.

The strangest country is Sweden where this is a big deal, the words "Svensk såld" appears in most of the adds of secondhand cars

 

[C43AMG]

I ordered my 220 direct from Stuttgart and did all the communications via e-mail fax and telephone.
The reason being five years ago the Euro was a much better deal and the optional extras where a lot cheaper. The only difference was i got a two year warranty instead of a three year one, not a problem extended it for two years then went with Service + which runs out in May next year.

 

[Dieselman]

Do you still get Mobilo-life on an import car?

 

[C43AMG]

Do you still get Mobilo-life on an import car?

Yes.

 

[barryj]

I bought a BMW 330ci a while back that was supplied by BMW Monseret, however it was registered new in the UK and never registered anywhere else before that, does not show up as an import on the log book etc and is full UK spec. Answers on a post card! First service was in the UK as well.

 

[television]

I bought a BMW 330ci a while back that was supplied by BMW Monseret, however it was registered new in the UK and never registered anywhere else before that, does not show up as an import on the log book etc and is full UK spec. Answers on a post card! First service was in the UK as well.

First class stamp or second

 

[recycled]

well if your merc was made in germany or south africa or america, basically it is still an import.

 

[gl boy]

shouldnt it say that its an import on the log book?????????or registered previously with a different date?????????/