Hi all,

I just wanted to update everyone of our current situation regarding SEVS Compliance of the Rover Mini.

Over the past few years we have been steadily working away gaining the relevant information and completing the required tests to satisfy the requirements of DOTARS to add the Rover Mini to our schedule.

In January we were able to overcome the final big hurdle when we completed the design, manufacture and testing of a side intrusion bar that meets the requirements of ADR29. Obviously this involved a crash test of a perfectly good car however the design was such we only had to test one car.

By June we had finally completed all the testing and collated all the evidence necessary for our DoTaRS submission to gain SEVS compliance for the Rover Mini. Unlike the previous Low Volume Scheme which gave blanket approval for a particular model, SEVS works on a car by car basis. This means evidence must be held by the RAW for each and every variant you wish to comply. In the case of the Rover Mini there were fundamental changes in the 10 years of EFI Mini production. As it is impossible to initially cover all if these variants, we have concentrated on the 1997 SRS equipped model. The 1997 - 2000 models are virtually identical suffice for some minor trim changes. During this time there were ARD's introduced with tighter regulations for example ARD37. This is the emissions regulations and the 1997 -1999 models are under 37/00 whilst the 1999 and 2000 cars are under 37/01 which is stricter still.

We then awaited DOTARS completing an inspection at our premises of the "sample vehicle". At this inspection the car and evidence is analysed and reviewed with EVERYTHING checked.

We have now successfully completed our onsite DOTARS inspection. Overall they were very pleased with the car and evidence and apart from some minor paperwork issues everything went fine. We will address the minor issues and get the formal approval in the next few weeks. At that point the Rover Mini will be added to our compliance schedule and we will be able to import and comply them.

When this has been done and things develop we will update the news section of our website - www.ozcooper.com.au.

Chris.
Aust Mini Cooper.

great news...... i'll be very interested in seeing how it all goes... i'd love a late model rover

_________________
TOP OF TASSIE MINI & MOKE OWNERS GROUP
leave your ego @ home just bring your car

So does this mean you could offer a kit with all of the parts to make a rover mini comply with australian regulations? Or would you have to perform and complete the work yourself?

_________________
Simplify and add lightness

Fantastic effort Chris, It is great to see that there is still someone out there with enough passion for the mini to keep at it and get this approval. I just hope all the other mini businesses out there appreciate the effort you and the other relevant people have put in.

Cheers
Aaron

_________________

This is excellent news. Congratulations to you and yours. I hope that you can reap the benefits of your time and money spent.
As above, I hope other mini businesses will appreciate your efforts.

_________________

'72 English Van...'72 Export Moke ...63' 850...KZ 750E1...'74 P76

Yes well done , its been a long road and a lot of work.

Congrats!

(now saving for a 2000 sportpack - Purple please.)

_________________

Does this compliance cover jap-spec 97-on SPi and UK spec MPi too? I'd guess only one of the other as the emissions is likely to be different?

_________________
Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

Hi all,

Thanks for your emails, calls and posts.

I’m sure you can all imagine how hard we have worked to get this achieved and the investment of time, energy and of course $$ has been great. To now see the light at the end of such a long tunnel is very satisfying.

To answer a couple of your questions –

As per the RAWS legislation all compliance work will be undertaken in our premises by our DOTARS approved personnel.

As the approval is on a car by car basis (not blanket approval as under SEVS), upon arrival the individual car will need to be assessed and items affecting ADR compliance will be compared to our evidence. If there is some item fitted that is outside this evidence then we need to change it or complete testing of that individual item. At present our evidence is for the SPI, Japanese spec, Rover Mini from 1997 – 2000. We hold the evidence for both ADR37/00 and ADR37/01 although with 37/01 the catalytic converter must be OEM whereas the 37/00 is an approved aftermarket unit. Under RAWS at the time of fitting the “used import plate” the car has to be basically as it was when first built with all OEM parts.

A very important thing to be aware of is under the SEVS regulations are in regard to damaged; including damaged and repaired cars.

The legislation in part reads –

6 Initial inspection
(1) A vehicle inspection signatory must conduct an initial inspection of each used imported vehicle.
(2) When conducting an initial inspection, the vehicle inspection signatory must:
(a) inspect the vehicle for any crash damage, damage repair or corrosion that may affect its structural integrity; and
(b) note any damage, repair or corrosion in an inspection report.
(3) The vehicle inspection signatory must have regard to the following minimum criteria in determining if crash damage or corrosion is likely to affect the structural integrity of a vehicle:
(a) underbody damage evidenced by crushed floor-pan stiffening members, split seam welds or torn metal;
(b) damage to rocker panels (or outer sill) evidenced by dents with a depth of more than 25 mm, creasing, or distortion of the sill weld;
(c) distortion to longitudinal rails affecting the front and rear crush zones;
(d) collision damage to steering or suspension components;
(e) damage to the vehicle’s outer body panels, which affects the integrity of any seams or joints;
(f) corrosion evidenced by perforation, flaking or pitting of the metal;
(g) cracks, repairs, modifications, rust, deterioration or distortion of any structural component of the vehicle.
(4) A registered automotive workshop must keep copies of inspection reports, and make such reports available to the Minister on request.

As you can see the rules are very specific and because of the Mini’s construction means in the event of a previous accident, even a minor one, it may be outside what is allowed.
Additionally, if for example cutting to fit speakers or the like has modified the rear parcel shelf, this is also outside what is allowed.

Keep in mind we dont make the rules, nor always agree with them, but they are what we have to work within.

Chris.

when do you estimate to be able to sell cars to customers?

also roughly what pricerange will they be?

thanks

That's awesome new Chris. Sounds like such an effort. Well done.

is compliance tougher in NSW than QLD?

_________________
Used to have 2000 Cooper Classic Sport 500, No 338, currently miniless

thanks for the update ozcooper, and information about what is involved - it's a good thing you're doing



we'd rather not have discussions about pricing and availability as it comes close to advertising, please discuss it via phone or email

16. Commercial enterprises cannot post advertisements or products for sale without prior permission from the site administrator. For such an approval, please PM "poeee".

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?

pm sent.

ozcooper, please pm poeee as i think we'd all like to know.

The more Minis that can be saved from the dreaded overseas tin worm the better...

Howver, I have always had a problem with this one...

In January we were able to overcome the final big hurdle when we completed the design, manufacture and testing of a side intrusion bar that meets the requirements of ADR29. Obviously this involved a crash test of a perfectly good car however the design was such we only had to test one car.

and you probably agree but cannot say Chris!!

How the hell can these dopey legislators and regulators allow thousands of non-side-intrusion-bar modified Minis on our roads, but mandate them only for certain imports?

Crazy stuff indeed

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Not quite. The 76(?)-89 imports that land today still have to have intrusion bars, but they are not tested to the same standards as SEVS.

The later cars bought in under the old laws also had to have side intrusion bars added also. It was just when the law changed and 89 onwards cars had to go through SEVS that it became more difficult.

All this to protect our car manufacturing industry.

I reckon all cars worldwide should be built to EU standards. THey would then be legal in all countries. That solves the problem permanently.

_________________
Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2