20-Year Import Rule Set For The Chop

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2957]

It is being reported in the industry publications that the imported vehicles older than 20 years exemption to emission and impact rules looks likely to be removed as part of an updated "Clean Car Policy".

Anyone looking to import an older BMW model that doesn't meet the current rules, and won't qualify under the Special Interest Vehicle category, for example E46 M3s which would be coming up to 20 years old pretty soon, might want to start looking for a vehicle in the near future before this change is made and such imports are effectively stopped.

Quotes below:

A long running exception to importation rules for vehicles older than 20 years looks set for the chop as part of the review of vehicle emissions.

Mentioned in a ‘Clean Car Discount’ discussion document is the need to end the ‘rule’, which in the past has been maintained as a way to allow classic vehicles into the country.

Instead, it is now being used to bring in desirable older imports and performance vehicles. For example 21-year old Toyota Landcruisers, Toyota Surfs, Nissan Patrols, Toyota Hiace coaches and performance cars are now a low-volume but common site on some yards.

VIA chief executive David Vinsen says the rule has become a topic of discussions with officials in recent times.

“They have slipped in the condition to ban vehicles over 20 years except those defined as classic or specialist.”

“Our view overall is this is not necessarily a bad thing to stop those vehicles coming in, however we accept this will disadvantage some traders,” he says.

“But in the interests of the national fleet, in terms of positioning ourselves with government in doing the right thing, it is likely the right thing to do.”

 

[Brianr70 83]

Interesting situation I know of some dealers that this would have a big impact on their business ?

[freaknout 47]

The writing has surely been in the cards for a long time? I think NZ has one of the oldest vehicle fleets in the OECD, similar economies or suchlike.

[NZ00Z3 187]

I still have a couple of years to wait until my target BMW becomes old enough for the 20 year rule, so, will likely miss out on that avenue.  It will however be a special interest car as there currently isn't any of them in New Zealand at the moment.  Just waiting for the exchange rates to become favorable.

[GorGasm 563]

I have two 10 year old cars and I consider those pretty old.  1990's 4WDs and other fad cars should be blocked immediately (looking at you Toyota chasers, centuries, crowns).  They are destined to become junk that we have to look after.

I have no issue with M3s, Supras, GTRs and period classics.

[NZ BMW 368]

3 hours ago, GorGasm said:

I have two 10 year old cars and I consider those pretty old.  1990's 4WDs and other fad cars should be blocked immediately (looking at you Toyota chasers, centuries, crowns).  They are destined to become junk that we have to look after.

I have no issue with M3s, Supras, GTRs and period classics.

And who do you suppose should be the arbitrator of what 20yo car is worthy? 

I for one consider the Century an interesting and somewhat desirable future classic. 

[lord_jagganath 421]

yeah, by that metric, there should be many Cortinas and Escorts that ought to be scrapped, instead of being desired after by Fordistas. 

[GorGasm 563]

I meant blocked from import, not applied to stuff already here. 

Something like SIVs would do the job.

Century is arguable...  There's some real junk coming in, tidy junk, but junk.

Edited November 11, 2020 by GorGasm

[M M 250]

One man's junk is another man's treasure...

Why don't we all just drive white Prius's then?

[balancerider 758]

2 hours ago, GorGasm said:

There's some real junk coming in, tidy junk, but junk.

Ancient filthy diesels are the thing that winds me up. The 90's trucks are disgusting

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2957]

Yup, totally agree with that - the worn out light commercials that get brought in are shocking. The rules there seem to be even more slack than on the passenger vehicles.

Agree that there is an argument for the classic stuff, whether Euro, Jappa or an American Muscle Car, but a 20 year old common or garden mass produced car - probably not.

The import trade has just been hit with the new ESC requirements, then this coming on top will make things interesting.

The intention is always to force the industry to bring in newer, safer, cleaner cars and as a result to reduce the age of the NZ fleet. However, this is not always the end result as the prices of cars available go up so those who can’t afford to change their old banger hang on to it for longer.

[Eagle 1662]

That's more akin to their condition rather than the tech, no testing so few care. Ever increasing numbers of vehicles on the road is the real issue to me and less so the pieces of sh*t on it.

[KwS 2425]

I like sh*t old British Cars, and would be disappointed if it came down to me not being able to import one because someone behind a table thinks they aren't "special" or "desirable", in their opinion.

We should be doing anything we can to increase the average age of our daily use fleet though; there are too many old shitters that barely (or maybe dont) pass WOFs, and wouldnt stand a chance of passing an emissions test. The big downside to that is that it will greatly disadvantage lower income families that still need a car to get around, because they cant afford the latest model so will either continue using their old car illegally (no WOF), cant have a car at all, or will have to get a loan at some seriously bad rates to get a "new" car. Hell, my daily is 13 years old now, and even thats considered old now.

What I dont want to see is a cash for clunkers situation where people are scrapping perfectly good cars to move into a newer, but still sh*t, car. Its a false economy.

[Olaf 3317]

more f**king nanny state bullshit.  if they were really serious about cleaning up the vehicle fleet, they would:

1. introduce vehicle emissions testing at WoF time
2. introduce emissions laws - no tampering with emissions systems for road-legal vehicles
3. introduce stiff penalties for non-compliance.
4. introduce carless days under certain conditions (eg high polution readings).  It's as simple as based on the last character of your number plate.

It doesn't have to be a heavy drain on workshops to buy equipment - the govt could establish drive-in testing stations, independent, job done.  I've seen this in operation in one of the world's most densely-populated and poluted cities, and since it's introduction, polution has fallen significantly.  

Meanwhile, shuffling the deckchairs here in Godzone makes for good PR for green voters.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2957]

The point I have highlighted is just one aspect of the possible regulations, what you have listed may well also be included at some point.

[balancerider 758]

4 hours ago, Olaf said:

 

1. introduce vehicle emissions testing at WoF time
2. introduce emissions laws - no tampering with emissions systems for road-legal vehicles
3. introduce stiff penalties for non-compliance.
4. introduce carless days under certain conditions (eg high polution readings).  It's as simple as based on the last character of your number plate.

This doesn't fit with the kindness paradigm @Olaf

[Olaf 3317]

None of it fits with the kindness schtick, to be fair.   I take it you were being ironic describing it as a paradigm ?

[balancerider 758]

Don't want to turn the thread into a political slanging match but I 100% agree that annual emissions testing / more independent entry certification / WOF testing (including suspension check / snow tires banned except in Winter in SI) would only be a good thing.

odds of it happening ~0 IMO.

[Olaf 3317]

PS:  "stiff penalties for non-compliance" I was thinking about the systems tampering.  eg 'well son, you've pulled all the emissions controls from your vehicle, so here's a $3,500 fine which we'll waive if your car is presented for re-test in compliant state within 30 days, and passes". 

A vehicle not passing test would require re-test within 30 days, potentially pink-stickered if it hadn't improved, re-test in 30 if not meeting spec... third time unlucky?

I wonder what the Germans do, if a vehicle is driven on the road in a non-compliant state?  Crush it?

[Gaz 1061]

Its already a WOF fail if you remove any emissions stuff (cat and DPF) but doesn't appear to be enforced or policed with the amount of companies advertising 'deletes' 

[freaknout 47]

1 hour ago, Olaf said:I wonder what the Germans do, if a vehicle is driven on the road in a non-compliant state?  Crush it?

The Germans are crushed and the cars are repaired to standard and sold. ?

[balancerider 758]

6 hours ago, Olaf said:

I wonder what the Germans do, if a vehicle is driven on the road in a non-compliant state?  Crush it?

The TUV inspection is to a very high standard, any modifications must be certified and it's quite intensive...as you'd hope with no Autobahn speed limit.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2957]

5 hours ago, Gaz said:

Its already a WOF fail if you remove any emissions stuff (cat and DPF) but doesn't appear to be enforced or policed with the amount of companies advertising 'deletes' 

One of my bug bears, all these companies openly advertising removing emissions parts, and even telling potential customers “no-one will notice at WoF time”.

Even down to chip and tune companies - there is a reason that you can get more power than factory... Never get an answer when you as what the emissions levels are with the new tune.

Mind you, my E30 is probably not the cleanest car on the road, but I do make sure it’s working as it should. Not smoking, etc.

[coop 261]

What’s the obsession for emissions testing at WOF? 

A system already too by the book and over regulated. (Maybe I’ve been spoilt after living in WA for the last 8 years where there is no WOF type system, even for heavy vehicles. It seems to work pretty bloody well.)
 

Is this so faux environmentalists can pat each other on the back in their circle jerk while thinking they’re saving the planet? 
 

 The result will be more regulation and cost. Cost for those who can afford it the least. Or aren’t able to afford it at all. 





 

 

[balancerider 758]

On 11/11/2020 at 5:44 PM, balancerider said:

Ancient filthy diesels are the thing that winds me up. The 90's trucks are disgusting

@coop