What are the disadvantages of parallel imported cars?
2 Answers
The disadvantages of parallel imported cars are: 1. Potential risks of used cars: Parallel imported cars need to be imported from abroad, and some merchants may sell refurbished cars as new ones. Therefore, when purchasing a parallel imported car, it is necessary to understand the condition of the car to avoid potential risks; 2. No manufacturer warranty: Since parallel imported cars are not authorized by the manufacturer, the manufacturer naturally does not provide warranty services for these cars; 3. Possible incompatibility with fuel or parts: Due to differences in fuel quality between countries, many parallel imported cars may not adapt to local fuel, leading to various malfunctions. Therefore, it is important to clarify these aspects before purchasing.
Last time my friend bought a cheap Middle East-spec Land Cruiser to save money, but the air conditioning stopped working by the third month. The 4S dealership outright refused to service the car, and local repair shops couldn’t even read the error codes. In the end, he had to spend over 8,000 yuan to replace the entire AC module. The biggest headache with parallel-import cars is the lack of after-sales support—if major components like the engine or transmission fail, there’s no one to hold accountable, and the warranty might as well be worthless. Modifications are another trap. To meet China’s stricter emissions standards, my friend spent an extra 30,000 yuan retrofitting the catalytic converter and still had to go through five inspections. He thought he saved 100,000 yuan upfront, but after factoring in repairs and modifications, he actually lost money.
