Can anyone offer some advice please on an impending purchase of a MX5 ?
Car is a 2000 UK model apparently, however its registration is non standard in the form of -
'PIL ****' - * are numbers.
Just concerned that this may be an import in disguise ?
Checked on the DVLA website with the reg which confirms the car and the details shown by the seller. Car has full uk service history and was PDI'd in the UK. All MOTs present also and V5 seemingly correct.
Can anyone help to ease my paranoia ?
Thanks,
Steve
|
Should be no problem.
Northern Ireland VRM see
www.vrm-group.co.uk/registration-marks/reg_irish.h...m
they have some on their list PIL
Make sure before hansding cash over that VIN is the same as that on the V5 (Reg Document)
dvd
|
|
|
That's a Northern Ireland number. May have been registered over there, or may have been swapped onto a NI plate for aesthetic reasons.
|
if its on the dvla site and you get the log book you have no worries
be aware that the car might be hiding a lot of previous owners or even accident damage as its a good way to clean the history with a ni plate
|
|
|
|
|
As others have said, registered (at least on paper) in Belfast - in the 'old days' a Co.Fermanagh registration. The series is popular with owners called Gil. Also see quite a few OIL numbers.
|
Thanks all for you speedy responses - helps to put my mind at rest.
Will certainly check the VIN with the V5.
Cheers.
Steve
|
|
|
For MX5's the NI MAZxxxx numbers were popular at one time. Also a handy and cheap way to disguise the age from your neighbours.
|
I think I would actually prefer a standard UK registration plate - presumably there is a charge to transfer it back to an unused reg number from 2000 ?
Don't want to be thought of as a 'PIL'.....
Shall make investigations...
Steve
|
Didn't the Japanese use NI as a gateway to sell their unwanted cars for many years?
NB the car may not be UK spec, without sufficient rustproffing etc if it was a Jap car. Also service/accident damage may be an unknown
Also, insurance will cost more and resale value will be a fair bit lower
MVP
Edited by MVP on 28/05/2009 at 14:00
|
Check the vin..... for a UK car it will start JMZNA for Mk1 JMZNB for Mk 2 and JMZNC for Mk3
IF it doesnt have the JMZ, and just starts NA, NB, or NC its an import.
|
sq
Just asked the seller for the VIN number - will see what the score is.......
Again thanks for the info - the car is being advertised cheaply which of course makes me suspicious - and also the NI registration....
Steve
Edited by Pugugly on 28/05/2009 at 22:17
|
|
|
|
Japanese cars sold new through franchised dealers in NI were exactly as UK and counted as UK sales. Large numbers of used japanese cars were imported to the Republic of Ireland and a fair number of these made their way to NI and also eventually to other parts of the UK.
Common misunderstanding in the BR is that cars in NI are "different" from the rest of the UK, well the only difference is the registration numbers. The cars are identical.
alfalfa
|
|
|
|
Don't want to be thought of as a 'PIL'.....
... those are popular with GP's ..
|
A bit more investigation is throwing up the possibility that it may be a UK car imported from NI to England because of the difference in pre tax prices due to tax and vat differences at the time.
If it's a UK car I'm inclined to go ahead, if not I'll walk away.........
Agree ?
Steve
|
i really dont see what your problem is
|
|
|
NI is part of the UK. Same vat rate. See above.
alfalfa
|
Again - thanks to those that have offered constructive advice.
My only concern is that the car isn't a UK model - which is what it's advertised as.
If it is - no problem.
Steve
|
Again - thanks to those that have offered constructive advice.
>what is that supposed to mean?
|
BB - not sure I follow....?
Do you really think i was referring to you specifically ?
I 'thought' this was a motoring forum which offered sensible and constructive advice to fellow motorists with questions and concerns about these things which are important to them?
Steve
|
constructive= helpful in my dictionary
i dont see any posts that do not fill that criteria including my own
bellboy=always there to help
|
Anyway - back to topic - I'll update the backroom tomorrow on the outcome.
Steve
|
On an old MX5 the usual giveaway for UK vs Import is the shape of the rear numberplate.
UK=single row and wide.
Import = two row and square.
This is not infallible as the rear plastic that the plate mounts to can be changed, but it is not a cheap item.
|
Just an update.
Car purchase has gone through without any problems.
Am now the owner of a 9 year old (UK :-) ) MX5 with only 30k miles.
Mechanically in excellent condition with only a few minor cosmetic issues to sort.
VIN, V5, and engine/chassis plates all check out and confirmed online.
Very pleased and a bargain to boot.
Thanks for the help everyone.
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
