The Rover-Landers of BC

It was suggested some could benefit from my experience as an inspector.. so here we go...

Provincial Inspections. How to get through easiest.

I am a licensed vehicle Inspector in B.C.

I am not working in an inspection facility at the moment, but In my previous shop I did literally hundreds of inspections of RHD and LHD Vehicles imported from Japan (Delicas, Skylines, etc...) I remember a few things that may help if you are bringing in a Land Rover from overseas or even just another province. Not all inspectors like doing these cars. You need pictures, and there is a little more to know.. if the inspector indicates he doesn't like to do imports.. find another. And don't be a pain! We are doing animportant job keeping your loved ones safe.

The Ex MOD coming from South Hampton UK must meet the same requirements as the '92 Cavalier coming from Camrose AB. But there are a few more concerns that need addressing. First though.. the basics.


The inspection report. The link below shows the form that will be used to pass or fail your new toy.

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/CVSE/vehicle_in ... MV3199.pdf

If you look at the report there are obviously features your vehicle will not have. Your car will probably not have kingpins AND ball joints, and it will probably not have a kickstand. These things are skipped if this is the case, but if it is apparent one of these items has been removed (like a heater) that is a fail. Any present items, like the the heater, and especially defrost, MUST work.

It says seat.. yes this means it is not only present but functions as designed. It also cannot be torn. CVSE believes a tear in a seat could impede you from exiting a vehicle in an emergency because you could get caught on a spring or such. Put a seat cover on it if you need to. It's simple.

Reflex reflectors are the reflective stickers or side lights (SAE or DOT stamped) Amber in front, red in the back.

Floors: no holes. If you repair your floors, do it right. Putting a road sign under the carpet and hoping for the best will not work.

Exhaust and Catalytic converter.. It needs to be there if it came with it.

Battery.. not only there, but held down properly. Bungees are not considered proper hold downs

Parking brake. We will apply the break and put the car in gear, It needs to hold up to about 1000 rpm. (not as much as it sounds..a bit over most idles)

The rest is pretty self explanatory, but I am happy to answer any questions. PM me.

Now.. The challenges of Out of country cars, especially those countries where they drive on the left side of the road.

First of all. I drove a RHD Mini for a couple years, and numerous RHD SUVs and trucks. Yeah.. it took a minute to get accustomed to it, just like going from a Dodge 3500 extended cab to a Chevy Sprint takes a bit to get used to. I did not accidentally drive on the wrong side of the road, I did not drift around (any more than normal) and never fussed anyone except the ladies at the drive through when I went through backwards. There is as of today NO official statement from ICBC or the Government planning a ban of these vehicles, though you have to declare them on your insurance. Are they more dangerous? YES.. but only when they are in the hands of young drivers and have a 600 bhp motor under the hood. The notorious ICBC study did not compare apples to apples. The downside of RHD? If you have an ICBC claim, it is automatically a write-off. The ICBC auctions are full of slightly damaged RHDs that are NOT for rebuild.

But that is not what this article is about. It's about getting through your inspection.

Headlights: RHD headlights are never okay. They dip into on-coming traffic. The headlights in your import must be designed for LHD roads. Fortunately most of these vehicles have 7 inch round lights you can get through most parts stores. They must be stamped with DOT however. Some specialty vehicle lights are not DOT stamped, but may have an “E” code. Check with your local inspection facility to confirm which E codes are acceptable. Not all are and these things can change. Eg: E4 is okay.. E11 is not.

Fog and driving lights: only up to 2 of each. Mounted below headlights and lenses must indicate their compliance and type and be wired appropriately. Driving lights with High beam, fogs with parking light..

Reflex reflectors: Front and rear signal and parking lights visible from the side of the vehicle (and labeled DOT or SAE) are usually acceptable. But for the sake of an easy inspection, put some on your car. I know they can “fall off” shortly after, but if they are on the car it shows the inspector you are trying to be compliant. Attitude counts. Amber front, red rear, and tape is NOT acceptable. If you have side markers, they must be labeled SAE/DOT or you will have to attach reflectors.

Tires: In addition to sufficient grip, and no cracks, Tires should be labeled DOT. If not, they MAY pass if they have the safety information (Max pressure etc) on the sidewall.

Glass: There are appropriate SAE numbers for automotive glass. These numbers are checked on Imports. Non compliant glass fails.

CHMSL!: Center High Mount Brake Light. Vehicles after 1987 (I think) need one. No exceptions.

Neutral/clutch Safety switch. Same I have come up with a number of ways to make this work. A little ingenuity and you can figure it.

That's about it. Remember to be respectful. Remember not all inspectors are equal, and if you do it right the first time, you shouldn't have to do it again. We are well within our rights to charge for re-inspections. This SHOULD take about an hour if done right. And if we do you a “favor” there is a good chance it will result in us getting a fine. My last “favor” cost me $109.

any questions please don't hesitate to pm me. I'll do my best to help.

Good "insider" information to know, thanks for taking the time to write it out and share it.

Cheers,
Andy

Thanks for the info and the checklist. I am about to get my Disco inspected and the inspection list is very handy.

The inspection form is a real help. before I found them online I'd give out photocopies to people booking an appointment so they could have a better chance of passing first time.

I think I forgot to mention ABS and Airbag (SRS) lights. They are a fail. Tell your inspector if (like on my RRC) you have to get to 10 kph to have the ABS light go out! They should test drive, but they don't always.

Hey thanks for posting, can we get a list of inspectors that will look at a right hand drive vehicle? I know there aren't many!

I think now that all inspections are done electronically you will find more inspectors doing them. In the old days it was more hassle.

I should note as well, that you will likely pay more for a Non domestic market car like most RHDs.

This is not because you are not "liked" but because it's more work. I inspected both right and left hand drive cars from Europe and Japan. They take MORE work.
When I had my shop I charged 1 hour for a regular domestic inspection, and 1.5 for an import (RHD or LHD) Simply because on top of all the regular checks, I had to individually check all the glass, lights tires and such for safety marks complying with Canadian standards, and on top of that I had to photograph the car and all the compliance marks, then create a file for them, then either email CVSE all the documents and photos, or store them in my own files. It actually took about 2 hours. Less time for dealers i worked for because I frequently had done the compliance work myself and knew everything was jake.

In other words, if a shop charges twice the amount for a RHD (or non domestic market lhd) it's because if they are doing it right and it takes more time. Nothing personal.


oops ranting again... sorry

I've just had a newly imported 110 inspected. It failed on a few minor mechanical points that I will take care of. However there were some fail points that I'd like to question here. :-/

I've got a few questions not covered in you below excellent guide:

The inspector is insisting that this Defender (1996 110 300 Tdi Station Wagon) be fitted with daytime running lights. Is there a year of manufacture after which running lights become mandatory? I've brought several Defenders into the country before (including a 1996 D90) and this was never brought up.

The inspector is also insisting that there be two reverse lights on the truck. All Defenders only have the one. Is she right?

She is also insisting that the vehicle display a "Compliance Sticker". I asked what standards it had to say it was complying to and she said what ever country it was manufactured for (it's from France). I've never seen any European Compliance Standard stickers on French Defenders... Is she right and will I have to dig one up?

TIA

Paul.

I have never heard the compliance sticker thing (outside of federal importing of trailers)

I have never heard about 2 reverse lights either.

As for daytime running lights.. you need them, and typically a 3rd brake light for that vintage of vehicle.

Sorry for lateness of reply, I don't get here much these days :)

Best of luck. You can always call CVSE or pop by with questions I'm sure.

Bill

Thanks Bill,

The running lights and Brake light will be easy enough to fit.

Do the running lights have to be the headlights or would the small front marker lights be enough?

I will fix the other mechanical issues and try a garage that is more familiar with european imports.

Paul.

Rovalution and Hesp Automotive, who both support Roverlanders, are both licensed inspection facilities and very familiar with your vehicle.

I really need to post here more.

The back up light is ridiculous. There is no regulation on the number (New Mini Countryman only has one) Just that it be functional. that said, if there were 2, and one didn't work that would be a fail. If you have it,, it has to work is the rule of thumb.

I forget the years, as I double checked a few days ago, but yes,,, Daytime Running lights can be any forward facing light, including a marker or fog light, and I believe its post 1989.. third brake light depends on vehicle. I believe 1990 or 91 for trucks, 1987 for cars.. I'd have to check.

Compliance is pretty simple even moreso with older vehicles. The biggest issue is with the inspector. The new manual makes it far easier than the old grey one, but you get the old school guys who just "know it all" and that's that.

Gromit Dog wrote:third brake light depends on vehicle. I believe 1990 or 91 for trucks, 1987 for cars.. I'd have to check.

If you can get a TD5 safari door window (which IIRC requires yout to have a TD5 door as well), they are pre-fitted with fixing studs for the Defender (and I think Disco 1??) high level brake light and the heated rear window element includes a conductor which carries the power connections. The positive side just needs a wire through the door hinge grommet to the right hand brake wire and the earth is just a connection to the door.

That's what I did with mine (because it had a TD5 door when I bought it), although you can get something aftermarket from Crappy Tire as well.