importing law changes
22 May 2004, 08:54 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
importing law changes
just been reading this on the skylineowners forum doesn't sound to good for those of us buying imports
Urgent VOSA Rule Bending Change!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Everyone,
As we always like to keep everyone up to date with any changes that may affect skylines and performance car owners, the following news is just about as bad as it can get.
We have just found out through the back door today about new rule changes for all vehicles under 10 years old, skylines included, that will seriously affect anyone trade or individual importing any sports vehicle of any make that has even the slightest after market modification, add on, or any item fitted that is not factory non standard.
i.e If a car has an after market front bumper or spoiler it will cause a possible change to the airbag sensor / inflation point, and the only way that you can produce evidence of compliance is to have a model report done on the car, which could cost up to 10 grand!
Under the new enhanced ESVA legislation we have been led to believe by the Vehicle Inspectorate that only cars first registered from Jan 97 onwards will be affected by the new enhanced rules and that any car ,for instance first registered before that date will only need a japanese De-Registration document with Japanese type approval numbers to be sufficient evidence of compliance for 1994/1995/1996 cars under the 10 year rule.
The jobsworths have moved the goalposts yet again and now state that any non standard fitment or modification will be an immediate test failure for ESVA! on pre 1997 vehicles also!
This includes the following:
1. Any aftermarket bodykits
2. Non factory standard alloy wheels where the factory radius size is different
3.suspension
4.Intercoolers ( GT-R 33 models exempt as it is fitted standard ) but must be Nissan!
5.Exhausts and downpipes etc
6. all visible non standard engine mods such as:
Air Induction kits/ Turbochargers, Turbo boost controllers, dump valves,air horns, pipework, radiators, brakes, brake Discs, etc
7. ECU's
In fact any item that is non standard factory fitted including interior guages, gear ***** etc, just about any item that will give the jobsworths an excuse for a Vosa inspector to fail a car.
This has very serious implications for all of us buying and using any kind of modified cars, as the sheer cost to change everything back to standard could cost more than the actual car cost and cause everyone massive expense and headaches getting things done.
Another example of the bloody UK over regulating and attack on the motorist by this poxy labour government!
I have today spent over 3 hours on the phone to VOSA Swansea trying to get any kind of reasonable conclusion to this totally unexpected situation, and to be honest it is a waste of time trying to be objective and get any kind of sensible conclusion from the head of ESVA at VOSA, Swansea, they just do not want to know and are sticking rigidly to the legislation as they see it.
All that was written in any information sheet or rule book issued by them was the following:
Any vehicle coming under the enhanced regulations first registered prior to 1st January 1997 will only have to produce a Japanese D-Registration document as proof of acceptable type approval.
What they are now saying without any warning to the Motor Trade or personal importers is that if a car has even one or more after market modifications, then the Japanese type approval for these cars is null and viod and you have the chioce of either changing everything back to standard or getting individual type approval model reports done for an individual car, which is totally impossible and quite frankly bollocks, as you would have to change everything back standard to comply for a model report anyway! thus costing twice as much all round.
It is not viable to get an individual model report done for just one individual car
This seriously affects all modified type sports cars that we all love:
Skylines, Supras, Evo's, honda's, GTO's etc, so the only way that we will get anything resolved or changed at all is for every sports car owning enthusiast to send a petition or similar letter of protestations etc aimed at the vehicle inspectorate, or the next thing that will happen is they will bring in similar legislation for MOT's etc and then that will definately bugger things up.
So everyone has to get together on this and let other forums know this situation as anyone importing and testing a car that is under 10 years old will have serious to impossible situations on getting a car through the new enhanced ESVA test.
The Vehicle inspectorate senior technical standards official stated that these rules have been in place for all to see since 2001!
absolute crap as this was only a consultation document and had no mention whatsoever about after market non standard modifications to any vehicles first registered before 1st January 1997.
I was told that this was the case with no exceptions as far as they were concerned.
So not only do we have to get a car through emmisions and noise test levels, we now have to totally get a car back to standard for a one off 1 hour test, where once done and passed, you then have to change it all back again.
What an awfull waste of the consumers hard earned cash for a genuine vehicle that will pass the legal MOT and what was SVA type approval requirements.
Its just another kind of stealth tax on the motorist.
I argued back that as we had only been informed today by an inspector of the vehicle inspectorate who had only yesterday been informed himself whilst on a refresher course of this situation about modifications that it was unreasonable to expect us to know if his own employee's did not! which I thought was a legitimate point, but it made no difference.
WE are putting an official complaint into the Vehicle Inspectorate VOSA expressing our feelings and that they are bending the law to suit themselves and the obvious pressure from motor manufacturers to stop imports coming in.
There will be a forum e-mail address to send your support and protest so that we can get a huge petition going against the Vehicle Inspectorate ruling,so watch this space.
Meantime you can write a nice letter to the head of VOSA at:
Steve Box
VOSA
Berkely House
Croydon Street
Bristol
BS5 0DA
and let them know that trying to stop importation of modified cars that will comply with normal MOT and standard SVA requirements for road safety, emmisions, noise etc will not be tolerated.
If we all do not pull together on this, they will walk all over the performance import sector and bugger up what is a lifestyle and pleasure for many thousands of motorists and enthusiasts all over the country.
Those of us in the trade who are used to this constant moving of goalposts will have to comply, but all of you guys who get your own cars in are going to have a nightmare complying, which is totally unfair and this should not be allowed to happen!
Stuart
www.skylinesrus.com
Urgent VOSA Rule Bending Change!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Everyone,
As we always like to keep everyone up to date with any changes that may affect skylines and performance car owners, the following news is just about as bad as it can get.
We have just found out through the back door today about new rule changes for all vehicles under 10 years old, skylines included, that will seriously affect anyone trade or individual importing any sports vehicle of any make that has even the slightest after market modification, add on, or any item fitted that is not factory non standard.
i.e If a car has an after market front bumper or spoiler it will cause a possible change to the airbag sensor / inflation point, and the only way that you can produce evidence of compliance is to have a model report done on the car, which could cost up to 10 grand!
Under the new enhanced ESVA legislation we have been led to believe by the Vehicle Inspectorate that only cars first registered from Jan 97 onwards will be affected by the new enhanced rules and that any car ,for instance first registered before that date will only need a japanese De-Registration document with Japanese type approval numbers to be sufficient evidence of compliance for 1994/1995/1996 cars under the 10 year rule.
The jobsworths have moved the goalposts yet again and now state that any non standard fitment or modification will be an immediate test failure for ESVA! on pre 1997 vehicles also!
This includes the following:
1. Any aftermarket bodykits
2. Non factory standard alloy wheels where the factory radius size is different
3.suspension
4.Intercoolers ( GT-R 33 models exempt as it is fitted standard ) but must be Nissan!
5.Exhausts and downpipes etc
6. all visible non standard engine mods such as:
Air Induction kits/ Turbochargers, Turbo boost controllers, dump valves,air horns, pipework, radiators, brakes, brake Discs, etc
7. ECU's
In fact any item that is non standard factory fitted including interior guages, gear ***** etc, just about any item that will give the jobsworths an excuse for a Vosa inspector to fail a car.
This has very serious implications for all of us buying and using any kind of modified cars, as the sheer cost to change everything back to standard could cost more than the actual car cost and cause everyone massive expense and headaches getting things done.
Another example of the bloody UK over regulating and attack on the motorist by this poxy labour government!
I have today spent over 3 hours on the phone to VOSA Swansea trying to get any kind of reasonable conclusion to this totally unexpected situation, and to be honest it is a waste of time trying to be objective and get any kind of sensible conclusion from the head of ESVA at VOSA, Swansea, they just do not want to know and are sticking rigidly to the legislation as they see it.
All that was written in any information sheet or rule book issued by them was the following:
Any vehicle coming under the enhanced regulations first registered prior to 1st January 1997 will only have to produce a Japanese D-Registration document as proof of acceptable type approval.
What they are now saying without any warning to the Motor Trade or personal importers is that if a car has even one or more after market modifications, then the Japanese type approval for these cars is null and viod and you have the chioce of either changing everything back to standard or getting individual type approval model reports done for an individual car, which is totally impossible and quite frankly bollocks, as you would have to change everything back standard to comply for a model report anyway! thus costing twice as much all round.
It is not viable to get an individual model report done for just one individual car
This seriously affects all modified type sports cars that we all love:
Skylines, Supras, Evo's, honda's, GTO's etc, so the only way that we will get anything resolved or changed at all is for every sports car owning enthusiast to send a petition or similar letter of protestations etc aimed at the vehicle inspectorate, or the next thing that will happen is they will bring in similar legislation for MOT's etc and then that will definately bugger things up.
So everyone has to get together on this and let other forums know this situation as anyone importing and testing a car that is under 10 years old will have serious to impossible situations on getting a car through the new enhanced ESVA test.
The Vehicle inspectorate senior technical standards official stated that these rules have been in place for all to see since 2001!
absolute crap as this was only a consultation document and had no mention whatsoever about after market non standard modifications to any vehicles first registered before 1st January 1997.
I was told that this was the case with no exceptions as far as they were concerned.
So not only do we have to get a car through emmisions and noise test levels, we now have to totally get a car back to standard for a one off 1 hour test, where once done and passed, you then have to change it all back again.
What an awfull waste of the consumers hard earned cash for a genuine vehicle that will pass the legal MOT and what was SVA type approval requirements.
Its just another kind of stealth tax on the motorist.
I argued back that as we had only been informed today by an inspector of the vehicle inspectorate who had only yesterday been informed himself whilst on a refresher course of this situation about modifications that it was unreasonable to expect us to know if his own employee's did not! which I thought was a legitimate point, but it made no difference.
WE are putting an official complaint into the Vehicle Inspectorate VOSA expressing our feelings and that they are bending the law to suit themselves and the obvious pressure from motor manufacturers to stop imports coming in.
There will be a forum e-mail address to send your support and protest so that we can get a huge petition going against the Vehicle Inspectorate ruling,so watch this space.
Meantime you can write a nice letter to the head of VOSA at:
Steve Box
VOSA
Berkely House
Croydon Street
Bristol
BS5 0DA
and let them know that trying to stop importation of modified cars that will comply with normal MOT and standard SVA requirements for road safety, emmisions, noise etc will not be tolerated.
If we all do not pull together on this, they will walk all over the performance import sector and bugger up what is a lifestyle and pleasure for many thousands of motorists and enthusiasts all over the country.
Those of us in the trade who are used to this constant moving of goalposts will have to comply, but all of you guys who get your own cars in are going to have a nightmare complying, which is totally unfair and this should not be allowed to happen!
Stuart
www.skylinesrus.com
23 May 2004, 07:08 AM
#3
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
23 May 2004, 07:31 AM
#4
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!
Bu66er!! I have my test tomorrow!! Doesn't look good.. Non Std wheels, non std exhaust, P1 splitter.... What Am I gunna do 
Anyone got a set of std 'gold' 16" alloys I can use tomorrow? I'll need to collect today!! Berks, Surrey or similar??
I have enough trouble with the Airbag light being on -suppose that'll fail in anycase -Wanted Airbag ECU either to borrow or buy!!
Lifesavers req'd!
23 May 2004, 11:23 AM
#6
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: PLYMOUTH
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You might be lucky with wheels and some body parts as the test examiners don't have a clue as to what should be on the car, they don't have the specification of every import on the planet.
BUT
They can spot a modified exhaust and induction kit a mile off.
Lee.
I very sad to say this is going to make it very difficult for you to import your own car, which is how I got started. But there are many companies that will do it for you, and importantly have stocks and facilities to standarise the car enough to pass and then re-fit mods back again.
YOUR AIR BAG LIGHT COULD BE A SIMPLE FAULT AND NOT YOUR AIRBAG ECU.
Belive it or not the test examiners do not perform an MOT, and quite often overlook the normal MOT failure item (stupid or what!)
http://www.wrx.co.uk
BUT
They can spot a modified exhaust and induction kit a mile off.
Lee.
I very sad to say this is going to make it very difficult for you to import your own car, which is how I got started. But there are many companies that will do it for you, and importantly have stocks and facilities to standarise the car enough to pass and then re-fit mods back again.
YOUR AIR BAG LIGHT COULD BE A SIMPLE FAULT AND NOT YOUR AIRBAG ECU.
Belive it or not the test examiners do not perform an MOT, and quite often overlook the normal MOT failure item (stupid or what!)
http://www.wrx.co.uk
Last edited by wideybrook; 23 May 2004 at 11:25 AM.
23 May 2004, 11:26 AM
#7
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
so when does this come into force a friends got a 95 wrx gna go in a few weeks will this effect him then.does aftermarket suspension fall into this also oh b*llocks. all hail the labour goverment hurray!!!!!!
Trending Topics
23 May 2004, 12:08 PM
#8
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
as far as I know its already in from April.........absolute pain, no way around it either?, gone back to UK stuff, or 10+ yrs old stuff, took me ages to sell a GT4A, no-one could insure it
23 May 2004, 12:29 PM
#9
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have just made a complaint concerning this matter to BBC Watchdog.
you can make your own complaint by going here http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/contact/transport.shtml
im sure if enough of us make a complaint something will be done about this.
you can make your own complaint by going here http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/contact/transport.shtml
im sure if enough of us make a complaint something will be done about this.
23 May 2004, 04:07 PM
#10
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Been thinking about this all day. If cars are not to be modified from standard, and most modified parts are approved in their own right anyway, (perhaps not half0rds gear ***** but Bilstein suspension and springs etc would be) then surely we should be all running on o.e (original equipment) spec tyres as different makes affect braking/handling/performance in different conditions. This just isn't going to happen. Tyres generlly change in a year or two and you can't get the tyres a car was built with 5 yrs down the road. What about Mr Blairs Limo and Galaxy? they are not as they left the Factory -are they fit to conform to an ESVA test? Hmmm. I can't see this holding much water but I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow 
23 May 2004, 06:26 PM
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mo,s scoobymonster
so when does this come into force a friends got a 95 wrx gna go in a few weeks will this effect him then.does aftermarket suspension fall into this also oh b*llocks. all hail the labour goverment hurray!!!!!!
FFS read the damn article before posting bollocks like that
"Under the new enhanced ESVA legislation we have been led to believe by the Vehicle Inspectorate that only cars first registered from Jan 97 onwards"
97 onwards does not mean a MY95
This is ol dold news though, all that model report ****e. Must have been doing the rounds, what two months ago at least? Thought all you jap loving scooby nutters would have heard about it all then??
23 May 2004, 09:45 PM
#13
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
quote:This is ol dold news though, all that model report ****e. Must have been doing the rounds, what two months ago at least? Thought all you jap loving scooby nutters would have heard about it all then??quote
this isn't about the standard model report, it's an extra requirement that none of the imports are modified due to the fact that they don't know if the mods are safe or not,which in some respect is a far comment, we dont want cars that are unsafe or modified dangerously, but as usal they are going completly over the top
this isn't about the standard model report, it's an extra requirement that none of the imports are modified due to the fact that they don't know if the mods are safe or not,which in some respect is a far comment, we dont want cars that are unsafe or modified dangerously, but as usal they are going completly over the top
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post