You know I'm actually against many of the defect laws as many other car enthusiasts are for the same reasons as you, but you don't hear me complaining because the law is the law. It's as simple as that, get over it. No government is going to change the current laws related to defects so I have no idea why you are whinging and blaming a political party for it. Also what new defect laws are you talking about? ......None, exactly, it's always been the same ones.
And you know I really find it funny that you mention the fine for having a defect because:
1. If you had modified your vehicle legally, you wouldn't have received the fine in the first place. (All in your control)
2. In my time of owning imports, I have only had 3 defects, all of which due to my attitude I did NOT receive the $173 fine or whatever you are suppose to get for driving a defective vehicle.
Also I might as well point out, instead of fighting the system you can't change and then whinging and blaming everyone else but yourself, I decided to make my car as legal as possible. And you know what? It's possible and it paid off, the last 2 times I've been pulled over and inspected I got off scott free. One of those times was even on Chapel St of all places. (No I wasn't doing laps, I had a valid reason for being on that street)
Sorry just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.