I went to Roadshow mini in Memphis Tennessee yesterday to trade my 2008 r52 and was told that they could not trade for it. The reason is it has no USA history. I bought it at a Northpoint toyota in North Little Rock Arkansas. MiniUSA said it most likely came from Germany by USA military member. What can be done about this problem? I know it was traded by the dealership before I bought it. From what they said the carfax only goes back to March of 2010. The vin is WMWRH33558TL96880. If anyone can help I sure would appreciate it.

 

Try plugging the vin into MINIUSA and see what comes up.

 

I tried that and it says "Your VIN number does not match our database. Please check the information and submit your request again."

 

So like a USA Spec'd MINI is AKC registered ?

Do they think your MINI was "born" of immaculate conception, or that
it's counterfeit ?

They just need to pull their heads out from their computers and make a phone call to NJ.....

 

Outright sell it, maybe?

 

Is there anyway to find the owner that had it before me?

 

Same thing here. Almost positive mine was brought over by a military man. I put my vin# in everywhere and could get no where. Talked to MINI main info line, sent in required info. and they assured me that my vin# was now in the MINI Lounge. It's not. I did my own calculating going by where it was traded in. That was near a base, as were any of the American maintanance records that I could come up with, in my searches. The first services according to the MINI records in the book, that came with the car, were from the original seller in Germany near a base, which stopped being recorded when the car came to the U.S., for what ever reasons.
I've surmised that I am the second owner, the man was in the military, his warranty expired, his family outgrew the car (an original option on the car is child safety etc. etc.) and he traded.
Yours and my situation is different because of any existing warranty remaining on your car. I did my search only out of curiosity.

 

Just sell it privately. You'll get more for it, anyway.

 

Is there any way to force the dealer to take it back? I was told by Mini of Canada to call the BBB and see what can be done? I would of never looked at the car if I known that I could not trade the car for a new mini.

 

I ran into similar problems whenever I brought my car back from Germany. It's been a few years now, so I can't remember everything I did, but I remember being in contact with the dealer in Germany that sold me the car a lot.

You might try reaching out to the dealer in Germany. The BMW/MINI dealer in Einsedlerhof, Kaiserslautern can be reached at: sales@pentagoncarsales.com

Alternatively, you can try this address: mathias.hemmer@pentagoncarsales.com
His English is quite well and is quite helpful. Or, you can just call: ]49 (0) 631 35190 14

 

can i get someone to run a carfax