A grey import refers to a vehicle imported into New Zealand through channels outside the official Renault New Zealand network. These vehicles are typically sourced from overseas markets where the model may or may not be officially available in New Zealand. Grey imports can include both new and used vehicles and do not come with the manufacturer's warranty or official aftersales support.
These vehicles will still require servicing and maintenance as per the Service schedule.
Renault dealerships have access to Vehicle data, Workshop Manuals, Part listings for all Renaults. So they are able to carry out Servicing on these vehicles.
Is or has the vehicle been registered before it came to New Zealand?
Any vehicle imported must be registered in the country of origin first. Categorising it as a used import, so any New Zealand customer is at least the second owner.
What are the warranty implications?
Overseas Renault Warranty is not available in New Zealand. This includes all Renault vehicles.
The manufacturer's warranty is only valid in the country where the vehicle was first registered as a new vehicle. If a vehicle is exported from its original market, outside of Renaults designated country criteria, the warranty becomes void.
Vehicles not imported and sold by Renault New Zealand through its authorised network are not covered by the Renault Warranty.
If you have purchased or are looking to import a Grey import we suggest you obtain information from the used vehicle importer, they might offer an aftermarket Warranty.
Is there Goodwill support?
Renault New Zealand does not offer Goodwill support on Grey Imports. Contact the company where the vehicle was purchased from for any Goodwill requests.
Does a Grey import vehicle have Roadside Assistance?
Grey imports do not have the Roadside assistance from Renault New Zealand.
What about recall and service campaigns?
Imported vehicles are included in manufacturer safety recalls. This only applies to Recalls (Red OTS) not service campaigns.
Renault will honour VIN specific recalls, regardless of the vehicle's country of origin; provided the recall is listed on the Renault database as applicable.
Will overseas satellite navigation systems work here?
Imported vehicles may have navigation and driver assistance systems, however these systems will not automatically work in New Zealand and they sometimes can’t be retrofitted.
New Zealand new vehicles have been supplied with a compatible systems which includes localised navigation maps.
In some cases, local maps can be purchased and loaded onto the Navigation unit. Please refer to the section “Updating maps” in your handbook for links to the website for you Navigation unit.
Can the speedometer reading of imported cars be relied upon?
As with all imports of used vehicles, there is evidence of both true and correct mileage and incorrect (wound back) mileage readings - the onus is upon the buyer to be comfortable with the mileage shown and for the private importer to validate the true mileage.
As a customer am I protected under the Consumer Guarantee Act?
Yes you are if you have purchased the vehicle from a licensed vehicle trader. If you purchased from a private importer, then you are not covered by the Act.
If a vehicle has been written off, regardless of whether it has been repaired and re-registered, the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid. Warranty coverage ceases once a vehicle has been deemed a write-off.