Germany & Buying a Mini..
Discussion
Hi
Looking at buying a New shape Mini from Germany & was wondering if anybody had any pointers on where to look? have tried the normal, mobile.de & ebay.de, any others?
Also would want to get the vehicle checked, anyone know the Hpi & AA equivalent in Germany?
Any pointers on what else to look out for at this stage would be a great help
Looking at buying a New shape Mini from Germany & was wondering if anybody had any pointers on where to look? have tried the normal, mobile.de & ebay.de, any others?
Also would want to get the vehicle checked, anyone know the Hpi & AA equivalent in Germany?
Any pointers on what else to look out for at this stage would be a great help
noneedtolift said:
To my knowledge no such thing as HPI here - You can have the car checked over technically by a TÜV or Dekra station which are found in almost any larger town. Worth checking out the MINI dealers as well in the current climate - you'll be save plus you get 2 years warranty for free.
thanks noned.Out of interest what is the climate like for dealers in Germany at the moment, as bad as UK? we are coming up from France to purchase so would be good to get an idea on how hard we can haggle
Dealers in D are struggling, huge rebates being offered. Merc is closing for 4-6 weeks over Xmas.... You can bargain like an arab nowadays..
Re HPI (thats a credit check, I assume?), nothing here but provided the paperwork is OK (make sure the dealer is the owner on paperwork) you shouldn't have any problems as german paperwork is (almost) foolproof..
If they don't want to show you the paperwork, walk away from it. Look especially for old Tüv sheets, esp the last one, as these will give correct mileages (under 3 years old not applicable)
The Fahrzeugschein is the small folded one (A7 size) which must be present with you when driving, shows that the car is registered and insured etc
The Fahrzeugbrief is an A5 approx folded booklet which is the equivalent of the old log book. If there is only this then the car is NOT insured/taxed etc
BTW leasing companies hold this Fahrzeugbrief until the car is released i.e. cleared payments, so if it's not there then it could be being still held. A reputable dealer will have this and show it. The 'Brief is the title to the car!
Be wary of extra notes on teh Fahrzeugbrief/Schein as this may refer to any modifications/restrictions on useage etc Tyre type may be listed, spoilers etc if not factory fitted MUST be in the 'Brief or have an exception sheet (ABE Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis) with the car....
Tüv is a label on th REAR numberplate (clockface) the number at the 12 o'clock position gives the month when the next is due, the centre dot gives the year. So if 8 is at the 12 o'clock position and 09 in centre then the next Tüv is due in August 09. The one on the front is for the ASU test (the exhaust gasses) and is readd as the Tüv Sticker. The county/town sticker (both plates)should not have been scratched off, this is an indicator that the authorities have taken it off the road at some time.
NO reputeable dealer will be against you insisting that the car has a new Tüv when you buy as the check is over 250 points and is a very good indicator of the state of the car. You may be able to take the car to the Tüv yourself, then you can speak to the Tüv engineer who might give you some good idea as well...
Stear clear of the Poles and Russkies selling cars here, there is a lot of very dubious trading going on, they buy up totalled cars, take them to Poland then bring them back after a "rebuild".... Most get caught at the Tüv but if they insist it's new then be wary.....
Tüv ALWAYS issues a check sheet (fail or pass) with a check list of all points checked, any fails and any corrections which must be made before it is retested are listed...
Beware also of service histories from them as they've been known to make up all the stamps and redo the history. A lot of stanmps from dealers all over is a sign to be wary....
And DON'T buy from an advert with only a mobile number....
hope this helps
excuse trhe dyslexic fnigers
Re HPI (thats a credit check, I assume?), nothing here but provided the paperwork is OK (make sure the dealer is the owner on paperwork) you shouldn't have any problems as german paperwork is (almost) foolproof..
If they don't want to show you the paperwork, walk away from it. Look especially for old Tüv sheets, esp the last one, as these will give correct mileages (under 3 years old not applicable)
The Fahrzeugschein is the small folded one (A7 size) which must be present with you when driving, shows that the car is registered and insured etc
The Fahrzeugbrief is an A5 approx folded booklet which is the equivalent of the old log book. If there is only this then the car is NOT insured/taxed etc
BTW leasing companies hold this Fahrzeugbrief until the car is released i.e. cleared payments, so if it's not there then it could be being still held. A reputable dealer will have this and show it. The 'Brief is the title to the car!
Be wary of extra notes on teh Fahrzeugbrief/Schein as this may refer to any modifications/restrictions on useage etc Tyre type may be listed, spoilers etc if not factory fitted MUST be in the 'Brief or have an exception sheet (ABE Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis) with the car....
Tüv is a label on th REAR numberplate (clockface) the number at the 12 o'clock position gives the month when the next is due, the centre dot gives the year. So if 8 is at the 12 o'clock position and 09 in centre then the next Tüv is due in August 09. The one on the front is for the ASU test (the exhaust gasses) and is readd as the Tüv Sticker. The county/town sticker (both plates)should not have been scratched off, this is an indicator that the authorities have taken it off the road at some time.
NO reputeable dealer will be against you insisting that the car has a new Tüv when you buy as the check is over 250 points and is a very good indicator of the state of the car. You may be able to take the car to the Tüv yourself, then you can speak to the Tüv engineer who might give you some good idea as well...
Stear clear of the Poles and Russkies selling cars here, there is a lot of very dubious trading going on, they buy up totalled cars, take them to Poland then bring them back after a "rebuild".... Most get caught at the Tüv but if they insist it's new then be wary.....
Tüv ALWAYS issues a check sheet (fail or pass) with a check list of all points checked, any fails and any corrections which must be made before it is retested are listed...
Beware also of service histories from them as they've been known to make up all the stamps and redo the history. A lot of stanmps from dealers all over is a sign to be wary....
And DON'T buy from an advert with only a mobile number....
hope this helps
excuse trhe dyslexic fnigers
JMG - that is a truly fantastic bit of info & just what I was looking for, sadly we are a bit delayed at the mo as we were burgled yesterday & they managed to get away with our passports so travelling to Germany til we get replacements is a no go, but when we do, your info will be in hande, thanks ever so much 
Nick
Nick
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