Import vehicle inspection, Kelowna

[withabix]

Anyone go any recommendations for inspection garages in Kelowna?

My Defender should pass with no problems, however there will still be better places to go to than others.

Mike's British Repairs on KLO for example?

Any other places regulars could recommend?

Thanks

[Rob]

Your choice of inspection facility will depend on where you are bringing your Defender from. If it is already registered in another Canadian province then you would need an out-of-province inspection and there are many facilities authorized to do that inspection. If you are importing the Defender from outside of Canada then you have to go through the RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) program. There are fewer locations allowed to do those inspections and a pile of rules to be aware of through the process. Here is a link to the info page for RIV http://www.riv.ca/importingavehicle.aspx

My experience with RIV is the more paperwork you have the better and be sure that there are two VIN serial numbers visible on the truck (the plate on the brake booster and the chassis have to both be clearly visible). It is a bunch of hoops to jump through but if you have the paperwork in order you should be in good shape. Don't be surprised if it "fails" for goofy reasons such as the wrong color of turn signals or something like that.

Regards, Rob

[HeadDamage]

When I brought in my 200tdi RRC a few years ago I got the run around about the RIV inspection but in the end I didn't have to do it because it does not apply to vehicles over 15 years old, it is only for newer vehicles. All you should need is the out of province if it is over 15 years old.

[red90]

I thought RIV is only for importing newer vehicles from the USA

[pquin]

If it's more than 15 years old, it only needs the provincial safety inspection. Should be no problem anywhere.

Paul.

[withabix]

Thanks all - over 15 years old, LHD and importing from the UK, so RIV doesn't apply and just needs the basic safety inspection?

I've seen posts on various forums suggesting that some vehicle inspectors on the register don't know what they are doing with over 15 year old imports, hence to save hassle I want to take it somewhere that does know the rules and will not try it on with a list of work that isn't required...

[LandyAndy]

If it's not already got them you'll need some self adhesive reflectors on the sides at the front & back corners. Amber on the front & red on the back.... get them at Lordco or your local crappytire.

Other than that you should be good.....

[withabix]

Front and rear facing do you mean, or side facing?

It's got red rear reflectors already, so I presume I need ambers on the front bumpers for example?

[LandyAndy]

Front and rear facing do you mean, or side facing?

It's got red rear reflectors already, so I presume I need ambers on the front bumpers for example?

Sorry, side facing.... I just used 3"x1" ones from Lordco.

[withabix]

Front and rear facing do you mean, or side facing?

It's got red rear reflectors already, so I presume I need ambers on the front bumpers for example?

Sorry, side facing.... I just used 3"x1" ones from Lordco.

I'm guessing these generally just get peeled off again after the inspection? Conspicuous by their absence on photos on this forum...

[DBrands]

Here is, by my understanding, a pretty comprehensive look at vehicle lighting regulations in BC. Not to say inspection facilities actually follow this. My Land Rover went through with no side reflectors, as the inspector felt that the spherical front and rear marker lights were visible when viewing the side of the Defender and were suitable as 'reflectors', even though I am pretty sure they have no reflective capabilities, seeing as they are a simple plastic lense...

The part mentioned above about side reflectors is on page 16, second item on the list. I guess it depends on the inspector.

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/vehicle_in ... otocol.pdf

[Crs]

You're getting good info. I've imported both the <15 years and >15 years.

If it's greater than 15 years, NO RIV needed (saves $200 and something) and no FEDERAL inspection. It will need a provincial 'out-of-province' inspection. When they complete it, they give you to form to show to ICBC.

RIV inspectors are few and far between. Thanks to Don at Rovalution, I avoided the bad ones. :D

Many mechanics are certified for provincial inspections. If you have a mechanic in Kelowna that you trust, (s)he will be able to steer you in the right direction. If you're in the Lower Mainland, I know Don (Rovalution) can do it. They seem to always have a collection of Defenders around there, a good few with UK number plates. I'm sure there's a bunch of others (check the site sponsors) who can do the same - I just don't have any personal experience about that. Don was even nice enough to be a 'repairer' plate on it and drive it to ICBC for me so I didn't have to get ANOTHER one-day permit. :D

You mentioned a UK specialist mechanic in Kelowna. I'll bet they've done it before, so they'll know what to do. Stay away from the big chains that don't know what a Defender is and think that Ford, Chevy and Dodge are the only car brands. [cough] Canadian Tire [cough] :mrgreen:

[Rob]

Like CRS says, you're exempt from RIV because your rig is over 15 years old.

RIV is for "US" spec vehicles or foreign built vehicles intended for the Canadian Market (bought through a manufacturer's program). Anything else foreign-spec and less than 15 wouldn't be admissible but in your case the 15+ solves that issue. I wasn't sure if your were importing something that would fall under the RIV rules so I mentioned it.

There’s a spot on the Canada Customs Vehicle Import Form that the Customs Agent will need to stamp to show your truck is exempt from the RIV process.

Cheers, Rob

[Gromit Dog]

I am a vehicle Inspector. While I have not worked at an inspection facility for a few years I did hundreds of japanese imports.

There are a few things you need to know and do to get through an "out of province" easily. Some shops are willing to simply rubberstamp your car, but others are picky and if you get pulled over you will be shelling out for another inspection. Last time I did a foriegn import i had to take "compliance pictures" and keep them on file. so there's really no "faking your way through".

1) Headlights. UK spec are NOT admissable as they dip the wrong way (into traffic) Change them for North American spec. (or European) There are specific numbers on the lenses. I don't recall them off hand, but they can be found online.

2) Side Markers. Yup. car freaks like me will often say the protruding front and rear markers (if stamped SAE or DOT) will suffice, but for a couple bucks the sticky ones (amber front and red rear) will get you passed anyone. and yes I know they sometimes "fall off" after inspections.

3) Approved Tires. Tire information must be there. Initially they had to be DOT stamped, but I passed tires if they had the max inflation data and such information on them. Not all inspectors are aware of this loophole.

4) Make everything "work" no check engine or ABS lights on dash. They will (should) be checked for illumination, but if they remain on durring test drive... that's a fail. Bad ball joints, paper thin brake pads and torn CVs.. any mechanical problem is also a fail. Check the forms online for mechanical type things we check.

5) Center high Mounted Stop Light. after a certain year.. I think 1987... you need one. I know not all north american cars have them. I don't care. i get fined if you are pukked over by the CVSE or RCMP and you don't have one.

6) As an inspector.. PLEASE don't be a know it all. I don't care what your buddy says. I have the DOT book n my office! I also don't care if you are my Buddy and will "get it done tomorrow".. I have been fined for favors to "buddies" and regular customers.


Anyway, hope this helps.

[pquin]

CBC ran an interesting investigation into the BC Safety Inspection system a while ago.

If nothing else, it just shows that there are as many diferent interpretations of the 'rule book' as there are inspectors out there. YMMV.

I've had several out of country Defenders inspected over the last few years and found the inspctors to be professional and reasonable. They each had their own methodology though...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... -1.2426135

Paul.

[withabix]

As someone brought this thread back to life...

My Landy passed with no problems.

IIRC there are some exemptions for new settlers' vehicles, but it had no side reflectors, no DRLs (I think that is one of the exemptions?), but it did have a high level brake light (those are exempt as well from memory), as it has a more recent TD5 back door/window with the fittings for the brake light, so I added one from a scrappy before it came over.

It has DOT-compliant Yokohama Geolandar AT/S tyres on it (although the ones in my shipping container aren't :alien: - a set of Michelin 750x16 as fitted as the factory tyre for the vehicle, which although very good, were never submitted for DOT approval by Michelin.).

It has LHD headlights (but then it is an LHD anyway), although 7" Lucas rounds can be had for about $30 each even over here I think. Changing lights on a Landy is a doddle, although you often find that the Bezels are nothing more than rust held together with paint if you have the non-stainless ones. I put new headlights and bezels in - went for clear lens type with the reflector doing the focusing, plus some Osram Nightbreaker Plus bulbs. Superb headlights now and far better than the dim candles it had before!

[Gromit Dog]

Yes, there are different interpreations, but in the end we all have the same (poorly written) manual. Find a guy who does these inspections fairly often, and not begrudgingly if you have the option. They are more work than domestoc, but not any more difficult. just more involved and you need to take pics.

It was suggested I post a quick guide to passing inspections here.. so i will on another thread.