Thread: Importing a Defender

I have found Suncorp the cheapest and DGA a close second. However, many insurers will not touch imports (even if they are the same/almost the same as AU models) - Shannons may be the exception - a lot of people are insured with them.

Worst case scenario, Justcar specialises in insuring imports.

try DGA Insurance Brokers

Some key features of policy from webpage:



Special features of this policy:

• Full off road cover anywhere in Australia
• Cover for imported 4x4s
• No limit on the amount of accessories fitted
• Standard excess applies to off road accidents
• Choose your own repairer

Hey.

Insuring it is not the only thing you need to consider. To register it, everything, and I mean everything needs to comply with Australian standards. So even if the UK version uses a plain bolt and Australia requires a high tensile bolt, this will have to be changed (this is just an example).

Things like tyres have to be within 10% or so of the size of the originals or they won't pass it, a lot of imports have to be fitted with new tyres because the style or composition of the overseas tyres is non compliant. You may find it beneficial to talk to a blue plate fitter (modification plates that is) to ask them what may be needed. If anything has been changed like added seats, different engine or gearbox, each mod will need a plate and engineering to suit.

For child seat anchorages, you will need to get a bar fitted right across the cab with anchor points, or get an engineer to fit them somewhere (you are unlikely to be able to do it yourself unless you are transport department accredited) and then get the mod plate issued as most vehicles like this did not have anchor points built in. Even a lot of utes and 4x4s built now do not have anchor points.

Obviously you will have the correct import papers so this is a start, but essentially you need to make it exactly like an Australian car of the same model would be.

Originally Posted by bensouthall

There are a few changes that need to be made in order to satisfy QLD regs and one of them is the addition of child seat restraint anchorages.

Can anyone out there tell me where they have theirs positioned and what changes I made need to make to my vehicle in order to satisfy the requirements?

Ben

are you sure you need to fit child restraints......not even the latest defender has them fitted

do a search in the good oil, i made my own but if it has to be checked you will need to fit a crib? bar

Originally Posted by weeds

are you sure you need to fit child restraints......not even the latest defender has them fitted

I thought the same.

All the mods will have to be approved (blue plated).
Seat belts may need to be changed? (About $A70 each from Repco)
And probably a few other small items.

Having gone through this in Qld (2001 td5 90 in 2007), there are very very limited ADR's that you need to meet with a personal import. (assuming you have the relevant paperwork sorted)

Seatbelts need to have ADR4 or a modern EU std on them.
Lights the correct colour
headrests on front seats
Glass needs to have AS1/AS2 Designations
CRA (although I didnt have to meet this only having 2 seats- and as has been said not sure ite even relevant anyway.)
Oh and it has to have KMH or KMH and MPH on the speedo, but it shouldnt matter if the KMH is small scale as mine is.

Thats it.

I had to change nothing on mine. At the time of doing the import plate mine was also engineered for the rollcage etc.

Tyres shouldn't be an issue. Mine came in on 33's. No one even mentioned it. atall. Engineer/RW guy/ Qld transport. No tyre placard on the car anyway from new.

There is a lot of scare mongering IMO.

if you want details of the BNE based engineer I used, who is excellent, send me a PM.

Rgds
Pete

Ben

Don't worry about all the problems highlighted, they will not apply. I have recently imported both my Wife's and mine Defender 90's. Hers is a 1996 and mine is a 1987. We did not have any trouble with child restraints as we do not have rear seats. However, it will not be difficult to have something fitted. As for ARD's the only ones that will apply are those that applied when your vehicle was built.
Both vehicles had to have engineers plates and NIDRIE plates fitted. The engineers plate was the most expensive and once you have this you can apply for your own NIDRIE plate which is about $200 (IIRC).
To get my wifes on the road all I then had to do was get a Roadworthy and then Register it. The guy who did the roadworthy did not even check it as he said all the checking would have been done by the importers. You will have to pay an import tax based on the customs valuation of the vehicle. Then you will have to pay GST on that plus GST on the cost (incuding insurance) of shipping it over here. Next they sting you for an extra bit of tax based on the Customs valuation when you register the vehicle. Fortunately ours were only valued at $4000 for the 1996 and $2000 for my 1987. If you want any further information PM me.

Rgds

Ivan