Canadian Car Sold in US - LEGAL with NO DISCLOSURE?
11-01-2002, 04:46 PM
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2001 CLK430 Cab.
Canadian Car Sold in US - LEGAL with NO DISCLOSURE?
I just learned that the 2001 CLK430 that I just bought from the Mercedes Benz dealer here in Florida was a car originally sold in Canada (British Columbia). As a result it doesn't have the features that are standard for the US; only those required by Canada. Apparently the safety standards are different, as well as things like rain sensing wipers, the emergency call sysytem, and others not being on my car.
At no time was I told that the car was not built to U.S. standards of safety or standard equipment. I paid for what I thought were all the US features, now realize that the dealer may have put one over on me.
Also I've learned that the car came off a lease. Doesn't that have to be disclosed to the buyer? Other used cars that I bought from Florida dealers made me sign that I knew the car came off a lease. Is there a law that requires this?
Has anyone heard of this practice of non-disclosure?
At no time was I told that the car was not built to U.S. standards of safety or standard equipment. I paid for what I thought were all the US features, now realize that the dealer may have put one over on me.
Also I've learned that the car came off a lease. Doesn't that have to be disclosed to the buyer? Other used cars that I bought from Florida dealers made me sign that I knew the car came off a lease. Is there a law that requires this?
Has anyone heard of this practice of non-disclosure?
11-01-2002, 05:07 PM
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SLK 350 '05
i thought canadian cars were not allowed to be sold in the us?
when you buy the car in Canada, they make you sign the sheet saying you cannot bring the car to USA to be sold? is it different story for dealers?
when you buy the car in Canada, they make you sign the sheet saying you cannot bring the car to USA to be sold? is it different story for dealers?
11-01-2002, 05:31 PM
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A 2-Seater Roaster & A 4-Door AMG & 2008 S550
When I purchase my car 6 month ago, I remembered signing some document stating that I will keep the car in N. America only (U.S. and Canada) for the duration of 2 or 3+ years.
I didn't really pay attention to it since I am not ever going to import my CLK to other countries, but I guess U.S. and Canada are sharing somewhat similar regulations.......So it's probably okay to sell a Candanian model in U.S.
I didn't really pay attention to it since I am not ever going to import my CLK to other countries, but I guess U.S. and Canada are sharing somewhat similar regulations.......So it's probably okay to sell a Candanian model in U.S.
11-03-2002, 07:59 PM
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2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Impala1ss
First, your CLK is a German car, exported to Canada and then exported to the U.S. You should have gotten the history via carfax BEFORE you made the decision to buy, particularly, if it was NOT a MB dealer that sold you the car.
Who was the dealer in S. Florida?
Was it a MB dealer? Did you ask for a carfax? Did you do a carfax? This kind of documentation could reveal details or lack of details of documentation.
Your next step would be to contact US Customs, Miami District, which is the regional office the major part of Florida - (the other District is the Tampa one) - and ask for the "import specialist for automobiles". He/she can tell you all about the required procedures and potential violations and steps for you to take.
First, your CLK is a German car, exported to Canada and then exported to the U.S. You should have gotten the history via carfax BEFORE you made the decision to buy, particularly, if it was NOT a MB dealer that sold you the car.
Who was the dealer in S. Florida?
Was it a MB dealer? Did you ask for a carfax? Did you do a carfax? This kind of documentation could reveal details or lack of details of documentation.
Your next step would be to contact US Customs, Miami District, which is the regional office the major part of Florida - (the other District is the Tampa one) - and ask for the "import specialist for automobiles". He/she can tell you all about the required procedures and potential violations and steps for you to take.
11-04-2002, 08:36 AM
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2001 CLK430 Cab.
Originally posted by karl k
Impala1ss
First, your CLK is a German car, exported to Canada and then exported to the U.S. You should have gotten the history via carfax BEFORE you made the decision to buy, particularly, if it was NOT a MB dealer that sold you the car.
*********The dealer is a Mercedes Benz dealer
Who was the dealer in S. Florida?
Was it a MB dealer? Did you ask for a carfax? Did you do a carfax? This kind of documentation could reveal details or lack of details of documentation.
*********Since it was a Mercedes dealer, and the car only had 8,000 miles, I didn't think it was necessary. This was my first Mercedes and I had always heard how customer oriented Mercedes dealers were. I also believed that a car built for non-USA markets had to be disclosed to potential buyers if sold in the US, although I never considered that a Canadian car could be sold by a dealer here in Florida without disclosure. especially since there are different safety, bumper, and emission standards for US and Canadian cars. I have since done a Carfax report :
DATE
REPORTED ODOMETER
READING INFORMATION
SOURCE GENERAL
COMMENTS
01/26/2001 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Coquitlam
Registration issued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/20/2001 Indiana
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Indianapolis, IN
Registered as
commercial vehicle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/22/2001 15 Indiana
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Indianapolis, IN
Title #01081529125
Title issued
First owner reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/26/2001 156 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pompano Beach, FL
Title #0083136838
Title issued
Odometer reading recorded on 03/31/2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/26/2001 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pompano Beach, FL
Title #0083136838
Title issued
First lien reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/26/2001 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pompano Beach, FL
Title #0083136838
Title issued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07/03/2002 Auto Dealership
Vehicle offered for sale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07/06/2002 7,948 Auto Inventory
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Offered for sale
at dealership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
08/06/2002 Auto Dealership
Vehicle offered for sale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/04/2002 8,125 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Southeast Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/07/2002 Auto Dealership
Vehicle offered for sale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not Reported Auto Inventory
Offered for sale
at dealership
Your next step would be to contact US Customs, Miami District, which is the regional office the major part of Florida - (the other District is the Tampa one) - and ask for the "import specialist for automobiles". He/she can tell you all about the required procedures and potential violations and steps for you to take.
Impala1ss
First, your CLK is a German car, exported to Canada and then exported to the U.S. You should have gotten the history via carfax BEFORE you made the decision to buy, particularly, if it was NOT a MB dealer that sold you the car.
*********The dealer is a Mercedes Benz dealer
Who was the dealer in S. Florida?
Was it a MB dealer? Did you ask for a carfax? Did you do a carfax? This kind of documentation could reveal details or lack of details of documentation.
*********Since it was a Mercedes dealer, and the car only had 8,000 miles, I didn't think it was necessary. This was my first Mercedes and I had always heard how customer oriented Mercedes dealers were. I also believed that a car built for non-USA markets had to be disclosed to potential buyers if sold in the US, although I never considered that a Canadian car could be sold by a dealer here in Florida without disclosure. especially since there are different safety, bumper, and emission standards for US and Canadian cars. I have since done a Carfax report :
DATE
REPORTED ODOMETER
READING INFORMATION
SOURCE GENERAL
COMMENTS
01/26/2001 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Coquitlam
Registration issued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/20/2001 Indiana
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Indianapolis, IN
Registered as
commercial vehicle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/22/2001 15 Indiana
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Indianapolis, IN
Title #01081529125
Title issued
First owner reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/26/2001 156 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pompano Beach, FL
Title #0083136838
Title issued
Odometer reading recorded on 03/31/2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/26/2001 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pompano Beach, FL
Title #0083136838
Title issued
First lien reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/26/2001 Florida
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pompano Beach, FL
Title #0083136838
Title issued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07/03/2002 Auto Dealership
Vehicle offered for sale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07/06/2002 7,948 Auto Inventory
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Offered for sale
at dealership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
08/06/2002 Auto Dealership
Vehicle offered for sale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/04/2002 8,125 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Southeast Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/07/2002 Auto Dealership
Vehicle offered for sale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not Reported Auto Inventory
Offered for sale
at dealership
Your next step would be to contact US Customs, Miami District, which is the regional office the major part of Florida - (the other District is the Tampa one) - and ask for the "import specialist for automobiles". He/she can tell you all about the required procedures and potential violations and steps for you to take.
11-04-2002, 10:07 AM
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2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Good Show!!
Here is the US Customs website. Hope this helps - but do get in touch with the "import specialist for automobiles" - because of a "potential" irregularity!
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/top/office.htm
Here is the US Customs website. Hope this helps - but do get in touch with the "import specialist for automobiles" - because of a "potential" irregularity!
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/top/office.htm
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11-04-2002, 10:30 AM
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2007 S
As far as I know, the federal regulations for bumper, emissions, etc are the same for Canada and the US. I believe you can easily import a car from the US to Canada and v.v.
The reason for the limitations on export are to minimize owners from exploiting currency differentiations and to bypass dealer protections in other countries. It's usually only done on high in-demand MB vehicles, as many MB cars are being exported to south/central america theese days. . .
In terms of you getting the car legally or not. I don't know about state regulations, but the restrictions that are in place for used and new vehicles are completely difference. Since the car doesn't appear to be an outright defective/accident/lemon car and its used, I'm not sure that you can lay blame on the dealer for selling this car. A lot of cars are traded back to dealerships that are significantly different than the configuration when they left the lot (ESPECIALLY cars on this board :-), in terms of radios, wheeels, engine mods, etc. So anytime you acquire a used car - the likelihood of it being different is fairly high. . .
The reason for the limitations on export are to minimize owners from exploiting currency differentiations and to bypass dealer protections in other countries. It's usually only done on high in-demand MB vehicles, as many MB cars are being exported to south/central america theese days. . .
In terms of you getting the car legally or not. I don't know about state regulations, but the restrictions that are in place for used and new vehicles are completely difference. Since the car doesn't appear to be an outright defective/accident/lemon car and its used, I'm not sure that you can lay blame on the dealer for selling this car. A lot of cars are traded back to dealerships that are significantly different than the configuration when they left the lot (ESPECIALLY cars on this board :-), in terms of radios, wheeels, engine mods, etc. So anytime you acquire a used car - the likelihood of it being different is fairly high. . .
11-04-2002, 11:42 AM
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2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Impala1s' concerns and my ref's. to "potential irregularities" do not refer to the obvious, but the more arcane procedures and formalities required in importing of a MB CLK from Canada in light of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement.
My suggestion of discussing this case with an U.S. Customs Import Specialist for Automobiles, - who is up to speed with the EPA/DOT/NAFTA regs., - is the procedure that I would follow, as the FIRST exploratoty step.
Additionally, I would consult with and express my concerns to MBUSA @ 1-800-FOR MERC.
My suggestion of discussing this case with an U.S. Customs Import Specialist for Automobiles, - who is up to speed with the EPA/DOT/NAFTA regs., - is the procedure that I would follow, as the FIRST exploratoty step.
Additionally, I would consult with and express my concerns to MBUSA @ 1-800-FOR MERC.
