French Import Car

[the_freedom_trail]

Hi eveyone, I purchased a car in March 2008 from a car dealer. I have found it is a French Import (UK spec) - this is now having implications such as higher insurance costs than if it was a standard UK model - can I sue?

 

He did not advertise it as an import, nor did he advise me at the time of the sale. Does he have a duty in this scenario?

 

TFT

[raydetinu]

A french car? or UK car sold in france then imported back? not clear what you mean. Make and model would be nice! you say uk spec, so what is diff to a uk car?

[the_freedom_trail]

It's a Pugeot 206CC. Basically, I believe it happened when there was that craze for buying cheaper cars in Europe and importing them back. There is a difference apparently. The car was made over and registered first in France and then imported over here (two helpful dealers have confirmed this) - believe it or not it makes a big difference on Insurance premiums.

 

TFT

[raydetinu]

You are with the wrong insurance company then!

I have two high performance japanese import cars with NU direct and the insurance is the same as their uk equivalent! A 300zx 280 bhp( £350/year )and a subaru legacy twin turbo GTB 300+ bhp ( £600/year ) both fuuly comp protected. i am in 50's with 5 years ncb though.

[the_freedom_trail]

raydetinu

 

I think my status is the trouble then. I'm 23 with one bad accident under my belt [not my fault] and only 2 years no claims. I don't really understand the insurance system. It is much cheaper for me to insure a Celica 1.8 VVTI than my Peugeot 206 2.0 16v, despite the fact that Celica is a lot better performing car. I thought insurers took the attitude to young drivers the more performance, the greater the risk. Nice cars by the way.