bigAPE

Only by savvy used private buyers looking to knock a couple of grand off the price and Used Dealers who will rarely touch them (it's like an unwritten/unspoken agreement among dealers here).

This is part myth, part true. Most insurers will insure you providing the car is a standard make/model they have on their system. In fact you don't even have to tell them its a Personal Import. It's the rarer cars which they have a problem with. My TT didn't even appear on the majority of their systems, which is bizarre considering there are quite a few about in Melbourne.

There are plenty of well known specialist insurers though and getting insurance was not a problem, for me it was also much cheaper than in the UK and that's moving from it being insured being garaged in the country in Cornwall to being garaged in a suburban street in Bayside, Melbourne.

The Import Plate is not a license plate, it's a self-adhesive yellow/gold metallic plate, like a sticker, that you affix to the inside of the engine compartment on a relatively flat service

License plates are as normal, whatever you want. Custom plates cost next to nothing here.

Hope this helps

Al

darrellandsarah

i had a similar email to liz this morning.again lct threshold is aud$57,180. they sent me an example
car value aud$26,950
total customs charges approx £2,600.
this doesn,t include all the extras that is just the 2 duties to be paid.also look at www.redbook.com.au this was sent me to help value your car.not sure what they base it on though as there is a trade price and a private price.

Bibbs

What is the equivalent to AutoTrader in Oz?

I've just had a look at the excel sheet and I'd lose £1200 on importing my Hilux and £500 on importing my S2000. (What's the deal with child seat anchor points? Are they optional? As if optional, it would mean both my cars would be almost worth it)

I've looked for Perth alternatives on CarSales.com.au

There are no S2000's for sale in Perth.
There are no Gen3 Hilux Surfs for sale at all (it's not even listed).

To me it'd make sense to load my Hilux with stuff and ship it out on a RORO.

darrellandsarah

bibbs click on the link i have provided.just checked and your cars are on there

bigAPE

RedBook is merely a base guide more than anything else. Unless it's a Toyota it will be different in the real used market. The best guide is an average between Redbook Median Private and the average of the Drive.com.au value across Australia.

That's half your problem right there. If you let them (Customs) value it you'll be paying top dollar. As mentioned in my article, get a private valuation completed by an official recognised valuer and Customs/ATO/Dept of Transport will honour it "most of the time" (never heard of them not accepting it). The private valuation (as mentioned before) is based on the base metal/tech value of the vehicle on the docks before import and can be as little as 65% of the average Australia street value, which is why that's the value used in the Excel.

Toyota Hilux are like flies out here, they are EVERYWHERE. Remember that they may use a different marque terminology or naming system here. I can't imagine why you would put yourself through all that for a vehicle which is so popular over here. The used market will be low valued through volume and your more than likely just going to create a hassle for yourself.

As mentioned above use drive.com.au and use the Australian wide average for your specific marque as a ballpark

Rear anchor points for child seats are an Australian Standards requirement on Vehicles with more than 2 seats. Your vehicle must comply with these regs to pass inspection and obtain your PI plate. The VASS inspection in Victoria for this is very invasive and complete, so i would expect other states to have the same thing most likely with a different name (contact your Dept of Transport for more details).

Al

bigAPE

Drive.com.au - Toyota Hilux Surf
21 in Australia, 5 in WA
http://www.drive.com.au/Search/Searc...4&from=22&nv=1

Bibbs

The Honda is (but can't find one for sale).
The Toyota is a '97/98 model and RedBook ges up to 1996.

It's also known as a 4Runner, but they only go up to '96 too.

So I'm kinda guessing a price from the Prado (which is the same chassis, but a different body, spec and engine) and the 1996 Surf. It's a Hilux but with the rear cab instead of a Ute bed.

Also the costs I'd lose on de-modifying them and re-modifying the Oz equivalent. I'm almost inclined to take them with.

2nd hand values I'm not fussed about. They are so far from standard road cars that I'd find it hard to sell anyhow.

bigAPE

I'm lost... they are all on www.drive.com.au as I have mentioned quite a few times

Drive.com.au - Honda S2000
14 in Australia
http://www.drive.com.au/Search/Searc...4&from=22&nv=1

Al

Bibbs

I'll look at Drive.com.au now, I'd been using CarSales (and it was a bit rubbish - TBH).

I know it sounds like I'm taking the mic now. But those are all 5 years older (Second generation, the 3rd was quite a change under the skin) and also all with 2x or 3x the mileage.

I've imported a few cars from Japan before, so I know the kinda hassles.

I'll look into the rear seat belts, may be able to do something before in the UK.

** EDIT - Just checked the S2000s. One is $30k and the other is $65k. Mine would be about £8k to sell in the UK. Neither have the changes I've made, or have been raced round the Nurburgring

bigAPE

Good luck. I just hope they know the specific engineering requirements for Australia otherwise they will make you do it again. Labour here is cheap so personally if you really want to import this Hilux I would wait until your inspection raises it, at least you will be prepared for it.

Al

Bibbs

Many thanks.

Using your spreadsheet, I'd make a 325 loss on the Hilux (inc the belts, using the Prado as an equivalent).

And a 1478 profit on the S2000.

Need to confirm WA shipping costs vs VIC costs.

darrellandsarah

thanx bigape.using your spreadsheet and a quest value of £30,000 which i,m sure it will be less, on the road cost to me is £5583.77.so if i sell it here i will lose £4500 at least and wont have enough cash to buy the equivolent over there.i have emailed customs for the place to get the valuation done before i fly out
just an aside where in cornwall are you from.where moving over from wadebridge in october

jond

[QUOTE=Bibbs;6788168]The Honda is (but can't find one for sale).
The Toyota is a '97/98 model and RedBook ges up to 1996.

It's also known as a 4Runner, but they only go up to '96 too.





Is it the Hilux surf, if so they where an import over here as well as the UK.

I have access to glass's guide which is a darn site more accurate than either redbook or drive.com.

Give me the exact spec, engine, gearbox etc and i will give you guide figures.

John

bigAPE

Hi John!

Always wondered, how does Glass's rate when it comes to private sales? Always thought it was for trade valuations, rather than private sales. Either way your lucky to be able to get access to it, that's $580 a year!

Bibbs

Thanks Jon.

It's a 1997, Surf SSR-X Ltd. 3.0TD, Auto, under 100,000kms.

(And sorry to the OP for hijacking the thread )