Hmm... that 'quiz' is a little misleading or out of date I think.

Generally they won't process a vehicle as a Personal Import if it fits in an easier scheme. The Pre-89 is the easiest to process so if the import (car) is eligible, that is what they would use. Also, the amount of documentation required to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the owner/importer of a Personal Import is huge. The Pre-89 paperwork is far less.
Generally the Personal Import avenue is only used for later model vehicles where it is either too difficult to make it comply, it is too new to be eligible under any other scheme (RAWS etc), it is a Full Volume vehicle (i.e. supplied to the local market) etc. Basically, if there is no other way to get it in then the Personal Import path is the only one left... if you are eligible and can satisfy all the conditions.

In this case though, I don't think Dubguy was eligible for the Personal Import avenue due to the length of time he had been in Australia, etc. or something like that. So it was a straight Pre-89 Import.

Easy way to tell... I expect the Import Approval states it is issued under Regulation 17 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989. If it is a Personal Import, it would be issued under Regulation 13.

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Don't listen to what I am saying... just understand what I mean.

It's section 17 I imported under.... Meaning?!

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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
1979 998cc Leyland Roundnose Irish Mini

Have you put your case to anyone yet? Surely if you owned the car the whole time and can prove it it shouldn't have to be fully complied. It's not fair if you weren't aware of the rules when you moved out here. It's not like you just bought it and want to import it. Make more phone calls and try to get someone that is willing to listen to your problem.

Hang on a minute, this is a government department so there won't be anyone who cares. In that case get on phone and rant and rave till they let it get rego.

There are people from the various chapters of the Council of Car Clubs interfacing with the Gummint over this shemozzle and trying to get some common sense injected...advice from that direction may also help

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"Show me the Mini!"

"..There's compliance, pink , blue and green slip, ahhhhhhh!...:

Compliance ..maybe ... What year model is it? How can THEY tell ??? (how do you know?) (When they asked me I said I didn't know - but maybe around mid 60s (which was a true statement) ..so the inspector wrote 65.... and so ever more it shall be...

Pink slip - No

Blue slip = a roadworthy inspection (lights, brakes etc) (ie a Pink slip) + identification (ie certification that the relevant numbers on the car are those on the paperwork - nothing else).

Green slip = third party insurance (phone or 10 minutes on their website).

Why don't you just apply for registration as a pre 89 import as per Tim's first post. Then you will know what you HAVE to do versus stressing about what you MIGHT have to do....

Cheers, Ian

The powers that be can tell what it is including production date, from the vin. Old dungers that don't have world wide style vin are a bit harder to tell.
If I was you, ring Chris at Ozcoopers , he'll tell you what you need to know, there's nothing he doesn't when it comes to complying Minis. He is a bit hard to get hold of, very busy man, but worth the effort.

Section 17 means it is a Pre-89 import, not a Personal Import.

I think some people are getting confused between a Personal Import (which is a recognised type of import with conditions) and a 'private' import (as in you did it yourself, not through a business that imports lots of cars)

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Don't listen to what I am saying... just understand what I mean.

This isn't that hard actually...

All the info is available and quite clear really. I found the NSW relevant info via Google in about 12 seconds and NSW, being who they are, generally have better info available than most states these days.

They have VSI 4 that covers pretty much everything you need to know to both import and register a car there (or anywhere else in Australia for that matter). It also explains the difference between the different imports.
Here 'tis: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roa ... hicles.pdf

The year of the car will be on the Import Approval, and that needs to be presented at the time of registration. Basically, the Import Approval is kinda treated like the 'Birth Certificate' for the car. In fact VSI 4 lists the documents you need to register an imported car, and the Vehicle Import Approval is the first document listed... even before the 'completed Application for Registration'.

Simply put: Read VSI 4 >> Make it meet the same standards as applied to a 1979 car in Australia (refer to the 2nd edition ADR's if you want detail yourself) and get it signed off by whoever they accept certification from >> take the import Approval and all the other paperwork and forms to the rego office >> pay them what they want >> fit the new rego plates >> drive it!

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Don't listen to what I am saying... just understand what I mean.

As I said ask someone who knows then nothing is open to an incorrect interpritation

I have talked to chris who just put me in contact with Ali near Hornsby. He's 1100 instead of $600 from guy around corner.

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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
1979 998cc Leyland Roundnose Irish Mini