Transporting your car to Oz - everything you need to know!

[Guest alexandnikki]

Hi Iron Chef,

 

We're moving over in just over a year and wanted to make the most of bring a car with us which is worth more in Aus than the UK. If we get there and decide that we've actually brought the wrong car and wish to sell, what types are easy to sell secondhand out there? A 2011 M3/M5/Cayenne/911 would be nice, however as they are specialist I'm worried that we wouldn't be able to sell it if we had to. Any advice greatly received! Planning to emigrate to Perth.

[Iron Chef]

Hi Iron Chef,

 

We're moving over in just over a year and wanted to make the most of bring a car with us which is worth more in Aus than the UK. If we get there and decide that we've actually brought the wrong car and wish to sell, what types are easy to sell secondhand out there? A 2011 M3/M5/Cayenne/911 would be nice, however as they are specialist I'm worried that we wouldn't be able to sell it if we had to. Any advice greatly received! Planning to emigrate to Perth.

 

Hi guys, it depends on your budget, but Porsche 911s are a pretty safe bet. Also look at Bentley Continental too. The sports versions of mid-sized Germans are good bets - Audi RS6, BMW M5, any AMG Benz. If you'd like to drive a BMW M5 wagon for a year, I'd be happy to take it off your hands in 12 months time

[furkew]

Hello

 

I have been living in Adelaide for over two years now. Due to concerns over whether we would stay here we have kept our house, furniture and cars stored just in case things didn't workout. We are now applying for permanent residency and now want to ship my Touareg over here to South Australia. My question is this, I have installed a Seikel suspension on the vehicle and it now sits around 30mm - 40mm higher than the OEM suspension. Will this cause me issues when trying to get the vehicle on the road.

 

Also, from your experiences, what other things have you had to change on the car - speedo from miles to kilometres etc.

 

My feeling is that this process isn't going to be cheap

 

A bit late with my reply, but as far as I know all/most states will only raise issues with vehicles 50mm lifted higher than official stock vehicles so you should be fine.

 

If you decide to add bigger Tyres once over here you won't have any major issues with the boys in blue. I run 4" lift and 35" Tyres and here in Vic have never had issues. SA seems to be pretty easy as well.

QLD is far more anal when it comes to legal lifts etc.

[chenzo]

Hi Iron chef

 

I am about to accept a job offer in Sydney . I have a 2005 bmw 535d m sport e61 (estate/touring) 120k miles its a great car and I believe it's worth bringing with me ,

Your the man though! so what do you think ?

[Guest alexandnikki]

Hi guys, it depends on your budget, but Porsche 911s are a pretty safe bet. Also look at Bentley Continental too. The sports versions of mid-sized Germans are good bets - Audi RS6, BMW M5, any AMG Benz. If you'd like to drive a BMW M5 wagon for a year, I'd be happy to take it off your hands in 12 months time

 

Iron Chef, PM me if you aren't joking....

[ArrowsEng]

A bit late with my reply, but as far as I know all/most states will only raise issues with vehicles 50mm lifted higher than official stock vehicles so you should be fine.

 

If you decide to add bigger Tyres once over here you won't have any major issues with the boys in blue. I run 4" lift and 35" Tyres and here in Vic have never had issues. SA seems to be pretty easy as well.

QLD is far more anal when it comes to legal lifts etc.

 

The legal requirement is anything over 2" requires an Engineers certificate. This is under VSB14 from Canberra:

4.11 LOWERING OR RAISING VEHICLES

None of the codes in VSB 14 allow for the raising of any vehicle where the wheel track has also

been reduced. These vehicles are subject to individual approval on a case-by-case basis.

Raising the height of the vehicle may be performed without certification providing the overall

increase in vehicle height is not more than 50mm. This may be achieved as a single

modification such as the installation of a 50mm lift kit, or by a combination of smaller lifts as

described below:

 the fitting of body blocks or lift kits (50mm maximum if no other modifications resulting

in a change of vehicle height are performed);

 suspension modification, (50mm maximum if no other modifications resulting in a

change of vehicle height are performed);

 changes to tyre size (maximum change in tyre size diameter of 50mm); or

 a combination of the above that results in a change of vehicle height not exceeding

50mm.

 

So your 40mm of the Touareg is no problem. I think your problem might be that if you haven't already got an Import Approval for your car, Canberra will probably reject the VIA as you have been living in Australia for 2 years already. I believe there is a 6 month limit on the time you can be in Australia after which they reject the VIA.

[Guest]

Hi Iron Chef, hopefully you can help me.

 

I've owned my Porsche Cayman S for over 2 years, I use it most weekends and have proof of using it for multiple trips around the UK and Europe. My defacto visa for Australia should come through in November (based on current quoted processing times), which is also when I leave the UK for 3 months travelling en route to Australia.

 

She's my pride and joy and it would kill me to sell her, I'm also not quite ready to stop driving German cars or pay the high prices involved in buying one in Australia... I'm hoping I can take her with me.

 

My questions are:

 

1) Can I start the process of exporting my car before I receive my defacto visa? - I'm guessing this isn't possible

2) Can I store my car in the UK, and start the export process once I've arrived in Australia?

 

Appreciate the help, and apologies if this question has already come up previously.

 

Thanks.

[pwkl]

Iron Chef, PM me if you aren't joking....

I don't think he is, he wanted to take my M5 off me but once you get it here, you may change your mind about selling it...:laugh:

[Iron Chef]

^^ lol I shudder to think how large my garage would be if I had too much money!

 

Hi Iron Chef, hopefully you can help me.

 

I've owned my Porsche Cayman S for over 2 years, I use it most weekends and have proof of using it for multiple trips around the UK and Europe. My defacto visa for Australia should come through in November (based on current quoted processing times), which is also when I leave the UK for 3 months travelling en route to Australia.

 

She's my pride and joy and it would kill me to sell her, I'm also not quite ready to stop driving German cars or pay the high prices involved in buying one in Australia... I'm hoping I can take her with me.

 

My questions are:

 

1) Can I start the process of exporting my car before I receive my defacto visa? - I'm guessing this isn't possible

2) Can I store my car in the UK, and start the export process once I've arrived in Australia?

 

Appreciate the help, and apologies if this question has already come up previously.

 

Thanks.

 

Welcome! You'll need your visa before you can bring it over, but it's no problems leaving it stored in the UK until you do.

[chall5]

emailed you Iron Chef

Edited August 10, 2014 by chall5

[Fishenka]

Hi All, does anybody know where and for how much can you fix a back mount for the Aus carseat into European car? Our car uses isofix but we couldn't find any isofix carseats in Sydney so far. Thank you!

[ArrowsEng]

Hi All, does anybody know where and for how much can you fix a back mount for the Aus carseat into European car? Our car uses isofix but we couldn't find any isofix carseats in Sydney so far. Thank you!

 

Hi Fishenka, is your car Australian delivered or is it a Personal Import? If you have the owners manual of an Australian delivered car it will have instructions on how to install the Child Restraint Anchorage bolt and hook into a 3/8" nut and plate thats installed in the back of the car. If your car is a Personal Import with a 2nd row of seats then by law it must have had the CRA's installed and checked by an Engineer who signed off the import papers.

What is the type and year of your car?

[Fishenka]

Hi, thx a lot for your reply. it's a personal import I guess (2007 mazda 3 ) with no Aus manual currently being shipped in a container by Pss. Nothing flush but relocation costs were covered by employer so am I right in thinking that it would be installed (and we will be charged for it) by customs here prior to its release? Thank you!

[ArrowsEng]

Hi, thx a lot for your reply. it's a personal import I guess (2007 mazda 3 ) with no Aus manual currently being shipped in a container by Pss. Nothing flush but relocation costs were covered by employer so am I right in thinking that it would be installed (and we will be charged for it) by customs here prior to its release? Thank you!

 

Hi Fishenka,

In Victoria, you could come to me as I'm a VASS engineer and can sort out the CRA's and the Personal import plate for your car. In Sydney the system looks to be a little different. See:

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_04_registration_of_imported_vehicles_in_nsw_24_may_2011.pdf

I would ring either Top Secret imports - 02 9622 2333, they are a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAWS) and comply lots of different cars for people and know all about fitting CRA's, or try one of the Engineers that might sign off the Personal Import paper (you have 3, one of which has to go to Niddrie Nameplates to get a yellow PI plate that gets attached to the passengers door B-Pillar), try Terry Toomey 0408 232 372 and see what he can advise you with the NSW system.

A normal cost for the Engineers report is $165 to $330, the installation of the CRA's are between $50 to $110 each, you will need 3 as you have 3 adult rear seats.

The guys above should be able to advise other costs in NSW as well, such as a "blue slip" - similar to a MOT and any other registration costs.

[Fishenka]

Hi Fishenka,

In Victoria, you could come to me as I'm a VASS engineer and can sort out the CRA's and the Personal import plate for your car. In Sydney the system looks to be a little different. See:

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_04_registration_of_imported_vehicles_in_nsw_24_may_2011.pdf

I would ring either Top Secret imports - 02 9622 2333, they are a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAWS) and comply lots of different cars for people and know all about fitting CRA's, or try one of the Engineers that might sign off the Personal Import paper (you have 3, one of which has to go to Niddrie Nameplates to get a yellow PI plate that gets attached to the passengers door B-Pillar), try Terry Toomey 0408 232 372 and see what he can advise you with the NSW system.

A normal cost for the Engineers report is $165 to $330, the installation of the CRA's are between $50 to $110 each, you will need 3 as you have 3 adult rear seats.

The guys above should be able to advise other costs in NSW as well, such as a "blue slip" - similar to a MOT and any other registration costs.

 

Thanks a lot ArrowsEng, that's an invaluable advice! )

[pwkl]

For NSW, use this to find an approved inspection garage.

 

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/safetycheck/index.html

 

They will advise what is necessary to get your car on the road. When your car is released from customs, you take it to your chosen garage.

[memberforrodbourne]

Please can you help us decide if its worth taking over our trusty landrover. It is a 2007, Landrover Discovery 3 TDV6 SE with aircon. 65k miles. UK price about £14k and aussie about $28k?

 

I'm just wondering whether you have had this imported yet? I'm thinking of taking my 2006 HSE D3 to Melbourne, and wondering what you had to fix when you got there in order to comply with Australia?

 

My D3 is a great car, and I'd hate to let it go, but if the compliance is going to be stupid, then I'll sell it here in the UK. Any tips on what you would recommend with the Disco? Would you do it again?

 

Thanks for your time!

[chenzo]

Are Iron Lady imports still running ?? Ive sent two messages via the website but no reply [emoji53]

[ArrowsEng]

Give Kristian a phone call +61 (0) 402 904 069, he answers the phone but is quite busy and can take a little while to answer emails.

[Iron Chef]

Hi guys I'm in Tokyo at the moment until the end of next week, and have only just managed to get my phone working via Skype after a week of stuffing around!

 

Chenzo, I'll PM you as we haven't had any enquiries come through for the last couple of weeks and we think there may be a problem with the site.

 

Feel free to email iain@ironladyimports.com direct - Iain is keen to help and raring to go.

[RobEaston]

We're planning on moving in January, visa and job offer in hand, the problem is, my wife took delivery of a brand new Evoque in September, 5 days before my job offer came through. Does anyone have any experience of the 12 month ownership and use rule being flexed? We will have only owned for 4 months when it's shipped and less than 3 months when we apply for the import certificate in late November.

[fosseboy]

We're planning on moving in January, visa and job offer in hand, the problem is, my wife took delivery of a brand new Evoque in September, 5 days before my job offer came through. Does anyone have any experience of the 12 month ownership and use rule being flexed? We will have only owned for 4 months when it's shipped and less than 3 months when we apply for the import certificate in late November.

 

This is my experience.

I had bought a new car in a December and for personal reasons I found out I had to move well within the 12 months. I emailed the transport dept in June and had a v helpful reply asking me to submit my application with a letter explaining the circumstances. I also showed the time I had owned the previous car and added that it was a genuine request and I was not intending to sell the car. I received the permit quickly allowing me to ship after 7 months ownership If I wished to. The car left the UK when I had owned it for less than 12 months.

[Iron Chef]

We're planning on moving in January, visa and job offer in hand, the problem is, my wife took delivery of a brand new Evoque in September, 5 days before my job offer came through. Does anyone have any experience of the 12 month ownership and use rule being flexed? We will have only owned for 4 months when it's shipped and less than 3 months when we apply for the import certificate in late November.

 

As fosseboy mentioned, it does sometimes happen. You'll need fairly solid evidence from your employer to back it up, then you'll have to basically plead your case and hope that they say yes. I suspect your chances may be slim, to be honest. Rob, PM me as I have a similar case I'm waiting on a response for at the moment, where the owner opted to bring the car over on a carnet instead. I'm curious to see how the feds handle it.

[POPI THE SAILOR]

Hey guys,

 

I am new here and I would appreciate your advice,

 

We are planning to move to Oz husband wife and 2 kids. We own 2 cars and a motorhome all of them registered to my name and have been for more than 12 months. All vehicles are used by my wife and myself her name is on the insurance but not on V5

My question is can I import one of the cars and the MH or not ?

 

Your help is much appreciated .

[DKC]

Yes that should not be a problem. I have just received approval for 2 cars, both in my name, similar to your situation.