Grey homework
Asked by Peter Bird
I'M LOOKING at buying a grey-import Nissan Elgrand four-wheel-drive van from an Australian ``dealer''. It's the only four-wheel-drive van I can find that has a good level of comfort and the ability of a four-wheel drive. I only need it for driving in the snow and for occasionally carrying light boxes. What are the pitfalls with buying an import from Japan?
Answered by CarsGuide
14 May 2009BUYING a grey import requires a lot of homework before you commit. You need to start by checking the bona fides of the so-called dealer and how long he has been in business, how long he has been importing this vehicle, if he stocks spares, how he takes care of customers after they've bought a car from him. Talk to other people who have dealt with him and perhaps even bought one of the Nissan vans from him in the past. If he ticks all of the boxes on that check, do your homework on the vehicle itself. It's important to understand that you know virtually nothing about the history of the vehicle and you won't be able to take it to your nearest Nissan dealer to have it serviced and to buy spares. If you do your homework and satisfy yourself the person you are dealing with is reliable, you can buy with confidence. On the other hand, you can buy a van such as a VW Transporter 4Motion that will do exactly what you want without the potential problems of buying a grey import.
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