The 2015 Defender Import

[MattyMc]

I have started to look into buying a new, 2015 Defender from Mexico and driving it back here to Vancouver. I have purchased US vehicles and successfully imported them here. This on the other hand, I am learning is a completely different animal. Purchasing the vehicle in Mexico is not that difficult, as I have a good friend who lives there and is willing to help me. The problem is getting it to pass our vehicle safety standards act, clearing customs, legally registering it and so forth. The Defender as I understand does not comply with our vehicle safety standards act.

My question is has anyone ever done something like this, or looked into doing something like this? Or am I just crazy and should let it go?

I have talked to London Land Rover, dealership and customer service they are not able to export the Defender. I chose Mexico due to it's proximity, and the fact they still sell the Defender. I have talked to a dealer in Mexico and he has put together a price estimate based on the vehicle and options I want, as well as the paper work necessary to purchase it there.

Another reason I am hungry to do this, is I have been told this is the Defenders final year of production out of the factory in the UK, and the future of the vehicle is somewhat hazy. Ever time I see one of these beauties on the road, I want one. Every time I go to Mexico or Costa Rica, I see them brand new with all the extras, and start drooling. Part of me is also jealous that they can purchase them in these countries brand new and we are stuck with the $200K Range Rover Luxury vehicle. No offense, they are beauties in their own right, just not for me.

Any input on this would be very much appreciated, thanks

[Dave_F]

You can't!

Vehicles imported into Canada have to be 15 years or older.

If you want one...buy one here...there are lots for sale.

[red90]

Correct. The only vehicles that you can import that are newer than 15 years are ones originally sold in the USA.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesaf ... ex-446.htm

[withabix]

Can't be done. Otherwise most of us would probably have one on order!

Even I couldn't bring a newer one as part of my personal possessions as an immigrant, although I could have brought a new one in temporarily as a TFW, but I would have had to export it or destroy it again (and prove it) if I became a Permanent Resident and eventually Citizen.

You need to be looking at one made at least 15 years ago. This now opens up TD5 versions, although I would still go for an end-of-run 300TDI (1997 or 98) instead from a DIY point of view.

This is why you will see the value of used Defenders, particularly LHD ones, go up when they approach 15 years old.

There are several UK suppliers who will refurbish one for you (mine came from one, although it only had a light refurb rather than a full rebuild).

You won't find one built in the last 25 years in the USA (unless it is a USA-supplied NAS spec, which might cost you $100k), as they require them to be 25 years old for import.

[StuartL]

A true Land Rover Adventurer Never says Never!!!!!

This is what they are now doing in America which is so much easier than dealing with "Homeland Security" and "Customs"

You buy yourself a nice Defender in Mexico, like this one...

DSCN3405 (2).JPG

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and you register it where you bought it, so you have a license plate like this....

bajacal2013stickered (3).jpg

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And as they say in Mexico "Roberto su tío"

If you own the vehicle and it is insured for use in Canada, it's legal but only the registered owner can drive it if you are resident in Canada.....

While it is possible it is totally impractical as it will be almost impossible to get serviced, they are run by multiple computers and sensor so eventually it will be left in the middle of a shopping mall or back road :) If you are serious, get a nice clean 300TDi and glam it up if you must.

WE ARE LAND ROVER OWNERS, Nothing stops us!!!!!

[Crs]

As stated, only cars built for the USA market can be imported unless the car is over 15 years old. (That's from date of manufacture, and it's a rolling date based on date of manufacture.) There are NOT USA Defenders less than 15 years old. The easiest thing is just get an older one. You mentioned Range Rovers. While there is a big difference between a 2000 Range Rover and a 2015 Range Rover, the differences between Defenders of these ages is not very much. And any new stuff you want, you can buy and bolt on. You can't turn a P39 RR into a L405, but with the Defenders, you can.

[Lumber-Jack]

Matt, I just came across this video of what happens to "illegally" imported Defenders in the US (newer than 25 years). A similar fate awaits Defenders newer than 15 years in Canada.

I brought over a 2000 110 and with a few pennies (ok a bit more than a few) you can make it look and operate as good as new.

[MattyMc]

Hey guys, thanks for all of your input, hard to watch that video though.

I have been doing a little research myself, and talked with our customs services, and confirmed the 15 years.

The agent I talked to did confirm that I could still purchase the vehicle now, the final production year 2015, of a Defender 90 from Mexico, store it there for 15 years, and then drive it up here.

My friend in Mexico would be willing to help me with the purchase of the vehicle, and the dealership has sent me a price quote for the truck with all the options I want. The dealership also provided paperwork for proper purchase, according to Mexican law. Problem becomes storage in Mexico. I thought about storing it somewhere I might like to vacation once or twice a year, so I could check on her and drive it around the block.

Researching the UK for storage facilities was really easy, lots of nice options, from super high end to basic. Purchasing the vehicle in UK is pretty easy as well, I would just have a right hand steer, and of course overseas shipping costs when the time comes.

So storage in Mexico?

[red90]

Interesting idea. I would not "risk" right hand drive. There is more and more talk about banning right hand drive and a lot of insurance agencies are beginning to refuse to insure. You would not want to go through all of that, wait 15 years and then find out you plan won't work.

There has also been some talk of changing the 15 year rule to 25 years, although it does not seemed to have gained traction, who knows what will happen in all of that time.

[Dave_F]

In B.C. there has been no talk about "banning RHD""...maybe in Alberta, but I have not heard anything in this regarding B.C. There are many, many RHD vehicles here in B.C. that have been imported legally. Transport Canada has talked about this going back to 2009 but there are no exclusions or restrictions currently on RHD provided that the vehicle meets Transport Canada's and provincial import safety inspections.

I have been driving my RHD Defender 110 for almost 5 years here with no incidents or problems. You "do" however need to be more vigilant on the road particularly when making Left Hand turns.

Would I like mine to LHD....yes however I find that in difficult weather conditions (visibility) I actually prefer being on the shoulder side of the road as it is easier for me to see the edge of the road.

I would be curious to know what Insurance Agencies are refusing to insure RHD vehicles??

Interesting idea. I would not "risk" right hand drive. There is more and more talk about banning right hand drive and a lot of insurance agencies are beginning to refuse to insure. You would not want to go through all of that, wait 15 years and then find out you plan won't work.

There has also been some talk of changing the 15 year rule to 25 years, although it does not seemed to have gained traction, who knows what will happen in all of that time.

[HeadDamage]

Before I converted my 200tdi RRC to LHD I could not get comprehensive insurance from Primmum. Also the NWT says I can't have a RHD although I can ride my snowmobile or quad on the road, go figure that one. BTW... I've seen some RHD NWT licensed Toyotas up here so there must be away to register RHD despite what they say.

[Crs]

By all means, check with customs first, but I don't THINK there's a problem with a new, non-USA/Canada car being imported for STORAGE here. Just no license, insurance or driving on public roads.

If price and preferred model availability wasn't an issue, get a LHD over a RHD. If the specific car you like happens to be RHD, then I agree with the above poster, it's not a big deal.

[red90]

In B.C. there has been no talk about "banning RHD""...maybe in Alberta, but I have not heard anything in this regarding B.C. There are many, many RHD vehicles here in B.C. that have been imported legally. Transport Canada has talked about this going back to 2009 but there are no exclusions or restrictions currently on RHD provided that the vehicle meets Transport Canada's and provincial import safety inspections.

It is all fine and dandy to have that attitude... But the OP is suggesting buying a new vehicle, storing it for 15 years and then importing. I'm just telling him to be cautious. The possibility of the rules changing in those 15 years is there. If it were me, I would be safe and buy a LHD truck. It won't cost him any more and it will be one less thing to worry about.

It is ICBC that is the one that has done the studies and is the one organization that has been pushing the RHD restrictions. My understanding is some provinces have become nearly impossible to insure RHD and it is constantly changing. Sitting there and telling someone it won't happen in the next 15 years in BC is not providing safe advice, IMO.

[Dave_F]

Red90....where do I say that it won't happen in the the next 15 years?

If you actually read my post I stated if I had the choice that I would go LHD.

If you are going to be "sitting there" and making assumptions about another posters intentions I suggest you actually read the entire post before commenting.

In B.C. there has been no talk about "banning RHD""...maybe in Alberta, but I have not heard anything in this regarding B.C. There are many, many RHD vehicles here in B.C. that have been imported legally. Transport Canada has talked about this going back to 2009 but there are no exclusions or restrictions currently on RHD provided that the vehicle meets Transport Canada's and provincial import safety inspections.

It is all fine and dandy to have that attitude... But the OP is suggesting buying a new vehicle, storing it for 15 years and then importing. I'm just telling him to be cautious. The possibility of the rules changing in those 15 years is there. If it were me, I would be safe and buy a LHD truck. It won't cost him any more and it will be one less thing to worry about.

It is ICBC that is the one that has done the studies and is the one organization that has been pushing the RHD restrictions. My understanding is some provinces have become nearly impossible to insure RHD and it is constantly changing. Sitting there and telling someone it won't happen in the next 15 years in BC is not providing safe advice, IMO.

[rayhyland]

A true Land Rover Adventurer Never says Never!!!!!

This is what they are now doing in America which is so much easier than dealing with "Homeland Security" and "Customs"

You buy yourself a nice Defender in Mexico, like this one...

DSCN3405 (2).JPG

and you register it where you bought it, so you have a license plate like this....

bajacal2013stickered (3).jpg

And as they say in Mexico "Roberto su tío"

To be fair, this is Sergio's truck, and he actually lives in Mexico. John drives it to some of the US shows though.