Until recently, there was an assumption that a better deal could automatically be had by personally importing from Europe. But things have changed since the late 1990s, with European prices going up and UK prices falling to the degree that some cars are now cheaper here than abroad. The thing is, while most buyers just compare prices and assume everything else is fixed, nothing could be further from the truth. These are the things you need to be on the lookout for:

• Equipment levels: British buyers like their cars to have plenty of toys, while many Europeans are happy to have relatively small amounts of standard equipment. While we expect air conditioning, a CD player and plenty of electric assistance for things like wing mirrors, windows and seats, continental buyers aren't necessarily so demanding.
  
  
• Specification: It's unlikely that any car you order will be mechanically different to a UK-supplied car, as manufacturers tend to build for a global marketplace nowadays. However, there might be detail differences between a car built for the UK and one produced for Europe (or elswehere). Things to look out for are lower power outputs, different designs of alloy wheel or radio, or badging that isn't the same as you'd get in Britain.
  
  
• Warranties: whereas most UK-supplied cars now come with a three-year warranty, those sourced from Europe will generally have just a two-year guarantee attached. By the time you've paid for an aftermarket warranty in the car's third year you could be out of pocket.
  

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