Car Import

Getting parts will probably be ok but registering it might be impossible, basically the requirements for rego are, over 15 years old they must comply with the ADR's for that age and type of vehicle.
Under 15 years old they must comply with ADR's for that type of vehicle as of now.
The bods that brought in surfs and the like that were under 15 y/old had a limited approval to do so, doing it for a one off is very hard.

Lok

I have heard that the "grey importers" may be able to import it on your behalf.

Could be worth speaking to any of them that deal in the grey imports and if they can bring it in for you. I know that the ADR's will be a pain, and if it is basically the same as what was sold here it is harder still to bring it in.

May also be worth talking to Dept. of Transport (if you can get hold of a real person), as it may be treated as a private import and fall under different (easier?) rules.

Hope it works

RD

I think the servicing will be the easy part ... except perhaps some tricky features that might have been sold in SG and not AU ...

the bigger issue is the red tape ...

Site Link

and your intentions about taking it back to SG.

Ciao for now
Andrew - who is still waiting for a call from the DOTARS assessors.

We had a new member in our club bring one over with him when he moved here. No real problems that I'm aware of but I can see if I can find out more for you. As for parts for it, no problems.

Imports and vehicle certifications
Federal requirements for vehicle imports

The Federal Motor Vehicle Standards Act makes it an offence to import, sell or present new or used vehicles to the Australian market for the first time unless they meet national standards.
The only exception is where the Administrator of Vehicle Standards issues an exemption. The Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) administers the Act.

An import approval is required before a vehicle can be imported into Australia. Details of where to obtain forms and more complete information about imports may be obtained by visiting the DOTARS web site or referring to the document VSB 10 Importing Vehicles to Australia.

Note: Import Approvals cannot be given to vehicles that have already arrived in Australia. Vehicles imported without approval must be re-exported or destroyed and the owner may face substantial fines.

The previous policy of the Australian Government relating to vehicles 15 years or older has been replaced with a fixed date policy. Under the new rule, vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1989 may still be imported provided they satisfy State requirements. Imported vehicles built during 1989 (or later) may only be imported through a Registered Automotive Workshop.

Special provisions also apply to vehicles temporarily imported to Australia.

Note: This information is provided as a guide only and intending importers must obtain relevant information from DOTARS prior to transporting a vehicle to Australia.

State requirements for registering imported vehicles

Vehicles will not be registered in Western Australia unless each vehicle is accompanied by a valid import approval, and complies with the requirements or conditions specified by DOTARS in the approval document.

Personal imports

A personal import is a vehicle that has been owned and used by the applicant for a continuous period of 12 months overseas. The vehicle must comply with the requirements of the WA Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002 and the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002.

A personally imported vehicle must be fitted with:

seat belts that are as effective as seat belts that meet an Australian Standard or British Standard for seat belts (as in force when this rule commenced)

seat belt anchorages that meet the number and location requirements of second or third edition Australian Design Rule 5

child restraint anchorage that meet the number, location, accessibility, thread size and form requirements of second edition Australian Design Rule 34 or third edition Australian Design Rule 5 or 34

head restraints that meet the number, location and size requirements of second or third edition Australian Design Rule 22.
Notwithstanding the above, a personally imported vehicle need meet only the requirements of an ADR if the ADR recommends that it applies to that category of vehicle.

As Doug T document has pointed out ,a personal import is allowed if it was owned overseas for 12 months or more.
That rule has been there for eternity.

Watch out for rust. I have heard that cars imported to N.Z. had a potential rust problem , if not already rusty. May not be visible, but could rear up and bite you on the bum at a later date. All due to the climate apparently. regards G.T.

Has anyone considered if he is only travelling the country over moving here?

G'day to all, your responses are very helpful, I hope to get my car in (for good) without any trouble and looking forward to the adventures outdoor/offroad when I get there. More help on the maintenance of my not so common model (2.0 L Grand Vitara) would be appreciated.