Be careful on repaired vehicles offered for sale out of Japan.

[Guest]

Be carefull as some people are offering repaired modern cars for sale out of Japan as they are cheap but may end up costing you your car.

The rule is below so read into it dont take somebodys word for it.

A RAW would take all reasonable steps to avoid importing a crash damaged or corroded vehicle.

A RAW wont put up his bussiness to save you money.

In a nut shell they are saying dont bring in a damaged or repaired vehicle. I know of one complyier who knocked back a car as they were told by the importer it is a repaired vehicle but only minor damage. They knocked back the work and said unless you are 100% sure it is minor it will be at your cost. So the buyier went back to the broker who wouldnt sign a document that the car will pass the RAWS inspection then the importer went a bougt a straight as car to save the trouble.

Damaged Vehicles

Crash damage or corrosion may affect continued compliance with the ADRs. This is especially so in the case of the occupant protection ADRs 69, 72 and 73. It is not possible for a RAW to provide a reasonable level of assurance that a crash damaged or corroded vehicle, where the structural integrity of the vehicle has been affected, complies with all of the applicable ADRs. Therefore, it is not permissible for a RAW to fit a used import plate to such a vehicle.

Before commencing compliance work each vehicle must be inspected by the RAW to check for crash damage, damage repair or corrosion that may affect the structural integrity of the vehicle. Records of this inspection are to be retained by the RAW and be made available to VSS inspectors upon request. (Regulation 57)

Crash damaged or corroded vehicles where the structural integrity may be affected must be re-exported or destroyed. It is expected that a RAW would take all reasonable steps to avoid importing a crash damaged or corroded vehicle.

The criteria below must be used as a minimum when deciding if crash damage or corrosion is likely to affect the structural integrity of the vehicle.

q Underbody damage which results in the:

Ø crushing of floorpan stiffening members,

Ø splitting of seam welds or

Ø tearing of the metal

q Damage to rocker panels (or outer sill) which result in:

Ø Dents to a depth of more than 25 mm

Ø Creasing, distortion of the sill weld

q Distortion to longitudinal rails affecting the front and rear crush zones.

q Collision damage to steering or suspension components.

q Damage to the vehicle’s outer body panels, which affect the integrity of any of the seams or joints installed by the vehicle manufacturer.

q Corrosion (rust) which has resulted in perforation or flaking of the metal.

When checking the condition of the vehicle the following items need to be inspected but not necessarily in this order:

q Engine compartment

q Right side

q Luggage cargo compartment

q Left side

q Underbody or chassis frame

q Passenger compartment

[zanda]

I reckon this is bogus...given the bombs floating around on the roads......and the fact that people can fix cars with $25,000 worth of damage once they're here...go figure.

I suspect that the viability of buying a vehicle through a broker will be seriously rooted by the time RAWS is in full swing...

Predicated by my previous "Broker" experiences, I don't think I'd be willing to take the risk of them giving me poor advice/support.

Which I suppose is a good thing. If people are willing to pay car yards like C-red to perform that service for them, it will only help to ensure that the value of imports already in Australia remains high.

but you can say goodbye to almost all S13s....are there actually any non-accident repair silvias?

[Guest]

The cars are out their, it is all about who do you trust.

A person with a lot to lose.

Or somebody with nothing to lose that says it is all at your risk.

I drive a 1980 Datsun 720 that came here with 4000 klm it just clocked up 7000 klm and two RX7's with under 60,000.

It is all about your buyier and workshop just be carefull and ask a lot of questions.

[Guest]

This,

Minor front accident repaired vehicle but the repair is excellent.

Radiator support and LHF inner repaired.

Dosent equal this,

As per DOTRS requirements.

It is not possible for a RAW to provide a reasonable level of assurance that a crash damaged or corroded vehicle, where the structural integrity of the vehicle has been affected, complies with all of the applicable ADRs. Therefore, it is not permissible for a RAW to fit a used import plate to such a vehicle.

So guy's be carefull as it is your money that is lost.