Registering "Grey Market" car car in California

[ExpeditionImports]

Here is a link for most of the information concerning "Grey Market" in California.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/master_faqs/ ... rs_faq.htm

1975 model year vehicles to the present: (EXCLUDING any vehicle obtained by a California resident within two years of its date of production) require a "Certificate of Conformance" issued by the ARB after a successful laboratory test. This test is administered to the same standards required of new vehicle manufacturers, and for the model year of the vehicle . However, unlike new vehicle manufacturers, as an individual you are not required to meet the full range of additional testing and equipment standards such as On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) requirements, durability testing, low emission fleet averaging, or Zero Emissions Vehicle testing (LEV and ZEV requirements). So while these standards reference what a manufacturer must do, when required by the Direct Import requirements they apply to individuals importing a used motor vehicle. Some limited exemptions apply to individuals moving to California with vehicles of these years registered in their home state for at least a year before moving to California. Contact us for more information.

It is even more restrictive on cars since Pinzgauer and Unimogs are in a different class.

I just want people to be aware of what can happen. I receive more than a few calls from people after the fact. I get calls from people who before they purchased a vehicle (not from us), told them what would happen, bought the car or truck and then what I said would happen, happens. There is no legal work around for title and registration for normal use with out lab testing and certification. There might be some obscure work around, limited use, drive it only on the 6th Sunday of the month type of thing but as a dealer our hands are tied. We cannot falsify year of manufacture, alter title documents, etc, etc, etc. At $5000 per vehicle fine, some quality time with a few lawyers, an appointment with the DMV to shred your dealer license and a few other body cavity related activities just not worth it. State does not really go after individuals as much as companies. An importer of original Mini's had an unfortunate run in after selling 90 vehicles in California in the early 2000's. Do the math, not pretty.

When a seller on Ebay or Craigslist says it can be registered in CA that is not a false statement. Might be incomplete but not false. They just fail to tell you about the lab testing and additional costs or your need to commit document fraud. Be very cautious if you hear something along the lines of "You can title and register your "Grey Market" car in CA, PERIOD!" They just don't mention (If you falsely fill out the VIN verification form or spend thousands of dollars you can title and register in CA.) That last part is kind of important even without the punctuation.

If you get a car or truck on the road in CA under false pretenses and there is an accident things might get interesting. If you are driving an non-traditional vehicle your insurance company might spend a little more time reviewing documentation. Make sure you are fully aware of that fine print on your insurance policy.

Cheers,

Scott

[ExpeditionImports]

Another link with some more information. Understand this has to be done for each vehicle. You can have a line of vehicles exactly the same and each has to be tested. Don't want to split hairs on the subject just want buyers to be aware as there are more and more people trying to sell Direct Import federally exempted vehicles into CA. Most are not licensed or bonded CA dealers so your options for recovery are limited. Buyers be warned.

This link is interesting with a copy of a letter from the Foreign Titling Division in Sacramento. Also in the link is a picture of a California BAR label with date tested and test site number.

http://www.importavehicle.info/2013/04/ ... newer.html


Cheers,

Scott

[ExpeditionImports]

Copy of the letter a buyer received on his 1980's Unimog which was previously titled, registered and plated in Nevada, in his name. He went to a CA DMV and was given CA plates for his truck. Of course the registration and plates were revoked 30 days after he received them, right on schedule. Vehicle owner will be give a provisional title status, registration and plates but once it gets kicked out of the system because of Box 8 on the VIN verification form, it will get sent to CARB. CARB will review it, knock it down because no EPA sticker and DMV will send you this little love letter asking for some more documentation.

In another case we had a Unimog buyer call us after buying from someone who imported a couple of Unimogs in the Bay Area. The seller got the title, plates and registration and the buyer bought the truck within 4 days of the seller getting the paperwork. The buyer got a letter 30 days later revoking title, plates and registration. Went back to seller for a refund, "sorry spent the money". The buyer had been to the shop before purchasing looking to buy one of our inventory trucks. We explained the problem so he knew there were potential problems but as always thought he had beaten the system. The stories never end so buyers beware.

Cheers,

Scott

[pinzinator]

The name at the upper right says it all. As soon as we can get rid of him and all the other liberal morons running this state, the sooner we can get California back on track.

[idstitch]

The name at the upper right says it all. As soon as we can get rid of him and all the other liberal morons running this state, the sooner we can get California back on track.

Please don't send any more of them this way.

[ExpeditionImports]

It is like a tsunami and I don't know if it is possible to change its course. It is CA so the laws only apply to those who can't afford to break them. Be advise these changes were made long ago. The recent change of not issuing just a title is something within the last 5 years. Granted there is no legislation just someone at the DMV decided that is how it is going to be.

Cheers,

Scott

[Profpinz]

Rules, Regulations, Paperwork and Red Tape......It seems to be the same everywhere nowdays.

[Garrycol]

Rules, Regulations, Paperwork and Red Tape......It seems to be the same everywhere nowdays.

Seems to be a characteristic of countries that comprise a Federation of States - even though it is one country the States seems to have their own ideas of how to do things. California doesn't like Pinzgauers, Victoria does not like new vehicles that do not have Electronic Stability Control even though they pass the Australian Design Rules, the ACT and South Australia do not allow mobile phones to be used as a GPS but all other Aussie States do if correctly mounted.

At least we have to only deal with 8 state/territory jurisdictions where US has what 51 state/DC jurisdictions.

Garry

[ExpeditionImports]

The real problem is that CA is like a cancer. It is spreading. 5 years ago we only had one B.S. state to deal with their own Cal EPA regs in regards to vehicles. Unfortunately, we know have 3-4 more states on the East Coast who are in the process or have already adopted the CA rules...... Get ready for the CA suck.

Cheers,

Scott

[krick3tt]

What if any issues are there with these...http://www.truckplanet.com/for-sale/Tru ... pnLink=yes

[undysworld]

What if any issues are there with these...http://www.truckplanet.com/for-sale/Tru ... pnLink=yes

Looks as if they will provide an SF97 (once you pay extra for it), in which case you can apply for a title and (depending on your state's specifics) registration. So, I guess, no issues...

This from that ad: Transfer of Title to Vehicles. If requested, IronPlanet will supply a SF97 to customers under the following conditions: The vehicle must have been sold in a "useable" property sale. There is a processing fee of $60 for EACH SF97 requested. Customers requiring a Florida state certificate of title or duplicate state certificate of title will be charged $50. In addition, IronPlanet will charge a document preparation fee of $100 for each Florida state certificate of title or duplicate state certificate of title. IronPlanet will determine whether your state requires a state certificate of title or a SF97.

[ExpeditionImports]

So far everyone LMTV we have had was completely legal for CA. No problem putting them on the road. But that is not a "Grey Market" truck. Those are built in the USA and to save the planet have some form of EPA compliance. We have a similar truck in Europe, lighter, better handling, manual transmission, disc brakes and a little less brutal but not legal for CA. Completely legal Federally just not in CA.

Cheers,

Scott