Bringing my Alfa(s) to Australia

[flighty]

Hi from Armagh in Northern Ireland!

Good to see this forum so busy!

I have a question on bringing my Alfas into Australia.

My wife (an Aussie), my sons and I are emigrating to Victoria in 2009 and we're bringing a 1968 Spider Veloce and either a 2005 166 2ltr or a 2001 166 2.5ltr.  The 116 Giulietta and 75 will be going to good homes!

I think the Spider is okay (because we've owned it for 5 yrs), but I'm not so sure about the 166.  I see that the only 166 available in Australia was the 3.2ltr auto.

My main concern is the certificate of conformity with Australian regulations: will I get one and from whom?  The feeling I get on Ateco is that they would not be helpful?? I haven't tried them though!

All help, advice, pointers etc would be greatly appreciated.  Who should I talk to?

Thanks.

I look forward to bringing my Alfas to Spettacolo!!

[AndrewO]

Hi,

First of all welcome to Australia.

I've never imported a car so I can't help with that directly but I'm sure there is lots of information on the Australian Customs web site or the Victorian Roads Authority (I'm in NSW so I don't know their name down there but you should be able to Google it) - they look after registrations and licensing and will have what you need to know on getting the car registered.

The real reason I'm writing is that it might be easier (but not cheaper) to have someone do it all for you.  I bought a 164Q that was imported from Hong Kong with a full compliance plate attached.  It was imported by Brian Foley who sill runs a servicing operation and might still bring in the odd car on the side.  Either they could do it all for you or may be able to give you some tips.  Here's a link.

http://www.foleyalfa.com.au/contact.php

The other option with a 166 is to sell yours over there and buy another one here.  Their resale value is hopeless here and it might be a cheaper option than to import yours (but yes only the 3.2 auto and by all reports the auto is not too good).

Check out some prices:
http://www.drive.com.au
http://www.carsales.com.au

Good luck.

[John Hanslow]

Welcome.  You have a big move on your hands.  A few shipping experts on the forum will give you the info re costs and compliance certification.

Bring out you cars by all means but with the 166's, the Australiam market had the V6 3lt autos and they are pretty cheep now. A few early 1999 models are for sale now for $9 plus. Consider your shipping and compliance costs.

I do not think it would be worth the expense in bringing the 166 out - and I say that as you could buy a aussu spec car of your choice here and trade up with the money saved.   Say a 156 V6 for instance (manual or auto).  Up to you.

Best of Luck.

[Gary Pearce]

No problem importing an older car (prior to 1976) particulaly if you are imigrating. There are several freight ports from G.B. and simple requirements are that the car is steam cleaned and air conditioning gas (if fitted) is dumped. I wouldn't bother wih the other cars you mentioned. You wouldn't recoup the freight and trouble costs as the compliance laws are some of the most stringent in the world here in Australia. Also the market here poorly views private imports so G.B 166 models would be difficult to onsell.There is plenty of good examples of 166 here at very affordable prices and petrol cost is currently $1.10 a litre, so you should have little concern if you want a 3.2.
See you in 2009.

[alfagtv58]

Welcome!

Have a look at this thread http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,68/topic,1480.0/

There is some good info there and a contact that will be able to assist with any inquiries.

petrol cost is currently $1.10 a litre

Went down again yesterday!!!!!!  Woo Hoo!!

[Fast Eddie]

Absolutely 100% essential that you apply for and obtain an import permit from DOTARS (www.dotars.gov.au) BEFORE you ship out the car/s. 
If a motorised vehicle lands in Oz without the DOTARS permit - you have 2 choices - ship it back out or have it crushed.  There is no 3rd option. 
I know cos i do this for a living(the importing, not the crushing) and have had the pleasure of re-export (after someone elses customer imported without the permit) a car back to the UK.  The end result - about $15000 in lost expenses, 6 mths in lost time whislt the importer tried to argue the point and no car in Australia.  I have also imported an Alfa Race car and a Lambo drag car.

This applies to ANY significant motorised vehcile regardless of if intending to licence for use on public roads - Motorcycle, drag car, race car, truck, bus, motorhome etc. Doesnt apply to things like wheelchairs, gophers etc.

If in doubt check the DOTARS website.
Then you are still subject to relevant State licensing policy.

[flighty]

Hi and thanks for all the info.

I suppose what I wanted to find out was whether a 2ltr or 2.5ltr petrol version (with manual gearbox) of the 166 would have a letter of compliance in Australia; or whether one could be got.

The reasons I'd be keen to import (despite the hassle & cost) would be the money I've spent on the upkeep of the cars versus the unknown costs on buying another second hand one in Australia.  In addition, there is the cost difference between UK and Australia.  If you think that resale values are low in Australia, you should see the UK prices:

$20,500 would buy a 2005 166 with 6 speed manual and 38,000 kms in the UK

$44,500 would buy a 2005 166 with 4 speed auto and 55,000 kms in Oz

Surely, I can't spend €24,000 on import costs (We're bringing a container anyway).  Even if it did cost that much, and I just broke even I'd rather have the manual than the auto.

I'm not sure where to find out if I can get a letter of compliance for the manual gearbox 166.  I have emailed DOTARS to ask so maybe they'll let me know.

Thanks again guys.

[flighty]

I know this is off the wall, but I think it's interesting:

$66,210 would buy a 2004 Maserati Quattroporte with 25,700 kms in the UK

$169,000 would buy a 2005 Maserati Quattroporte with 32,000 kms in Oz

If I could convince the wife!?!



There doesn't seem to be so much of a difference on the 159 so perhaps I'll go for a Q4 in Oz after all. 

[Simon Bidese]

you will obviously take a hit when you goto sell it here in Australia, but there is an easy solution to that - in 5 years time turn it into a track car!!!!!

[Gary Pearce]

You still don't make an economic case for bringing either of the 166 vehicles to Australia. Their worth here could be in the $5000 region as 'grey imports' are viewed pooly and there would be plenty of other late model manual Alfa vehicle to choose from at affordable prices. Certainly the Masser would be worth the pain....... but maybe not the cost of divorce.

[flighty]

Hi All,

Dotars were quite helpful really.  I can bring the '68 Spider in on the age basis and we're bringing in the 166 as a personal import.  Insurance quotes were $100 more than an Aussie spec 166, so the only cost I haven't found out yet is the child restraint belts that I presume need fitted.  Any info on this would be appreciated.

I also need to dump the air con gas, I think.

Anyway, the application for the cars is away to Dotars and we hope to be shipping them out in mid March.  Vic Roads seem a bit secretive on it all as they just send me a link to a standard website when I ask for details on the compliance changes needed.  But they say they will register the car once it has Dotars approval.

I hope the Victorian winter is not too unwelcoming as we'll be arriving there in mid May.  Hope to see some of you shortly after that.

All the best, and thanks.

Now I really am looking forward to bringing my Alfas to Spettacolo in November!!

[Barry Edmunds]

Safe travelling on your way over to OZ. Look forward to you and the family plus cars arriving safely and becoming part of the local Alfa fraternity.

Can't guarantee the weather here in Melbourne in May. Could be anything. Melbourne wqeather has been known to change frequently on any given day so if you are not happy with it, wait a few minutes and it will change (hopefully for the better).

Weather around Spettacolo time is usually good.

Your shipping people should be able to advise on whatever requirements you need to take for shipping.

Barry

[alfagtv58]

so the only cost I haven't found out yet is the child restraint belts that I presume need fitted.  Any info on this would be appreciated.

Hi GCR Flight,

See this link to the VicRoads info on child restraints, it has some info and further links (the RACV link is particularly good).
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadSafety/SeatbeltsChildRestraints/ChildRestraints/

IMHO the laws here are antiquated and ridiculous when it comes to child restraints, it is ILLEGAL here to use the far safer and secure (mandatory in Europe!) ISO system which is standard fitment to a lot of new cars coming into the country.  Go figure.  There is talk of changing this soon, but at the moment....welcome to 1960's.

edit; It seems that although it is legal to use the system, there are currently no seat manufacturers that make seat to suit the ISOfix system to comply to Aust standards.  It is all very confusing!!!!  Its really hard to find up to date info on this.

[flighty]

Thanks Phil,

That was a very helpful link.  I found the list of Vehicle Standards Information Bulletins the most useful:

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RulesStandardsRegulations/VehicleStandardsInformation/VehicleStandardsInformaiton.htm

In particular; the Roadworthiness requirements, child restraint anchorages, and Imported Vehicles - Conditions for Registration in Victoria bulletins.

From these I see that I need to arrange for a VASS Signatory to inspect the personal import vehicle and arrange the personal import plates.  Then I need to get unregistered vehicle permits and organize for both cars to be tested for roadworthiness.  Then I can register them!!  Yippee!

Has anyone any idea of how much of a waiting list would there be for a roadworthiness test in Victoria?  Who would be a good tester to go to in the greater Melbourne area (I would travel to a recommended one)

May thanks for your ongoing support,

Chris

PS.  I would like to write up my experiences when I get the whole process completed – at the end of May hopefully!! 

[Barry Edmunds]

Chris

There are a number of Alfa specialists in the Melbourne metro area who can provide RWC's so it would depend on where you will be living in Melbourne before recommending anyone.

RWC's can usually be done in a day or so, depending on what work is required for compliance.

Barry