This black 2011 Nissan Elgrand E52 Highway Star Premium 4WD 3.5L model with 49,475 kms was inspected for a client at USS Nagoya auction on 22 July 2016.
Premium options included dual power slide doors, power tailgate, front and rear parking sonar, factory around view monitor and TV, and full leather seats.
This is an example of why it’s not a good idea to buy a vehicle from auction without inspection even if it’s a grade 4. Gradings are variable and there are many grade 4 cars which are not up to our standard for various reasons.
Despite being quite a new car it was graded down to 4 due to the issues with the body. Only limited pictures were taken of the faults as we quickly concluded this vehicle was not up to our standard and didn’t go through our full inspection process.
A set of snow tyres was included in the back of the car, and the underbody rust while affecting lower portions of the car was still fairly advanced and indicated the car had seen significant use in the snow. Existing wheels were quite dirty.
The front bumper was scratched and needed paint. A3 left side scratches marked on the auction sheet were not as bad as indicated and were mostly underneath on the plastic moulding.
The paint on the body needed a good cut and polish generally, as it looked like the previous owner had not cared a great deal about keeping the car clean.
Inside it was a non smoker’s car with quite clean interior showing minor wear consistent with the kms.
Given the rust and overall untidy appearance of the body, it is a good example of the type of vehicle that we don’t recommend to our clients, as we feel rust to this level is unacceptable on a car of this age and general maintenance history is likely to match body condition. Typically a vehicle in this sort of condition would be bought by an importer for resale, once it had been cleaned, rust-proofed, painted and detailed.
In contrast, this 2011 E52 Elgrand in very clean condition is the sort of vehicle we do recommend.
Model information and specifications for the E52 Elgrand
We only source the best vehicles with clean and tidy interiors, and only vehicles we would be pleased to own ourselves. This is why we are constantly told by clients that the vehicles we source are well above the condition of most others on the local market.
Whether you’re looking for a 2011 Nissan Elgrand E52 Highway Star Premium 4WD 3.5L like this, or another year or model of vehicle we can find it for you in nice condition.
The pictures are typical of the information we provide prior to auction for each vehicle of interest, with any faults shown so you can clearly see the condition before we discuss whether to bid, and your budget.
It is vital when sourcing your vehicle to use an agent that takes the time to physically check each vehicle and looks beyond the auction pictures and report to confirm condition. Some vehicles may have an unpleasant smoke or other odour, rust underneath, or other faults which are impossible to know without inspection.
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Hi Geoff,
Thank you so much for your guidance and advice throughout this whole process to import my 2003 Skyline V35 350GT Premium — it was an experience that I am thankful that I took the plunge into.
The car is going great and I really love driving it and getting the attention that goes with it, I ended up keeping the rims that came on the car as they do seem to suit it. I may still change these down the track and potentially put some 20″ on it but not a priority at this point, currently looking to upgrade the stereo unit though.
I have had a lot of interest in the car from friends and strangers so I have passed your details onto a few people so hopefully they get with the program and look at importing a car through you.
I would also be happy to talk to anyone about my experience so feel free to put anyone in contact with me that would like to talk to someone who has gone through the process. Thank you again for your patience and support and I look forward to the next time I am in need of a new car. Here is my review that I’ve posted for you on Facebook:
I recently imported my first V35 Skyline coupe through Prestige Motorsport, with the help and assistance of Geoff Risbey, who I cannot thank enough for his advice and support throughout this process. As this was my first time importing a car into Australia I was a little bit apprehensive on the idea, but I did some research on the net and came across Prestige Motorsport, after a bit more homework on the reviews and experiences of other people I felt confident that I had chosen the right broker to deal with.
Geoff was always ready and willing to give me as much or as little support as I wanted, he listened to what it was that I wanted and then with his guidance we worked out a rough budget and set about finding my dream car. The daily auction information that Geoff sent me was very helpful and if I found something that was of interest Geoff would discuss the car with me and provide his honest opinion on the car, if it was still a go he would then arrange an inspection of the car at the auction house through his connections in Japan. Geoff would then come back to me and discuss the findings and if he thought it was a prospective purchase, what impressed me was that Geoff was willing to wait until the right car came up and he never pressured me into buying a car he did in fact advise me not to purchase a couple of other cars.
Finally we found the one and commenced the auction process, it was a little nerve racking wondering if I was going to win the auction and then finally Geoff called me to give me the good news. From here Geoff then guided me through the process of exporting the car and then with the customs and compliance here in Adelaide.
Overall very impressed with the support throughout the process which made the whole thing quick an easy, and most importantly I felt confident in what was happening the whole time.
I am now the proud owner of a V35 and would highly recommend anyone considering importing a car to contact Geoff and draw on his years of experience, I know I will be doing so when I am next in the market for another car. Thank you again Geoff for your professionalism and support throughout this process it was a great experience and I am now loving my new car.