Late Model Cars Imported from Australia

IMHO the only good thing coming out of any Australian city is the road to the Airport!

Franc That's the song sheet Ive been preaching from for a long long time.
But for this specific discussion re flood damaged imports.
Ive personally seen flood damaged imports from Auzzie both at the beginning of the compliance process then at the half way point and the problem is you don't know what you don't know.
Level the water reached inside the car was definitely a LOT higher than just getting the floor wet.
Trouble is how would you inspect for that damage?

Without getting pretty invasive with inspection, you can't. Getting some of the under dash panelling off and having a look up at the heater box, pedal box and general area under there MAY reveal silt residue, its an area most likely to be neglected by a repairer.

do a free carjam and get the chasis or VIN number and google it, a website will come up in nz telling you if it was flood damaged or a statutory write off.

I think everyone is getting a bit carried away with sweeping generalisations here.

There's quite a significant number of cars coming into NZ each month now from various states in Australia (regardless of the export port), the truth is, some are "statutory write-offs" without doubt (with varying levels of previous damage depending upon the insurance terms of the state / company) and some are coming in with significant damage to be repaired. And an equal number are undamaged straightforward cars imported on a commercial basis in just the same way as Japan-NZ works, a price differential in a particular model between the two countries (coupled with a stable exchange rate) creates an opportunity for a commercial margin.

The royal "we" tends to "see" only the damaged / repaired vehicles coming through as they're highly visible at the compliance or repair stages. There's even a local dealer out my way who specialises in importing damaged ex-Australian late model vehicles, repairing and selling them. But they don't account for the whole market!

Franc is right- when buying a late model vehicle, no matter the country of first registration (and this includes NZ-new too) it should simply be part of any purchase that a PPI is arranged, and the right questions asked of the history.

Short answer: Yes, quite a number of ex-Australian imports come here as damaged or statutory write-off vehicles (and yes, there is a difference). But equally, plenty are normal "undamaged" cars. Do your homework before you buy.

Disclaimer: I have a lot to do with the Australian imported vehicle industry, but no interest financially in the importation of cars to NZ.

Sorry Franc I don't agree. You would have to get a LOT more invasive than that.Part of the process iinvolves getting VERY deep into the wiring and electrical components. Replacements are needed from a written of Kiwi example with proof the parts not from another flood damaged import.BUT the parts concerned are ONLY those involved in the vehicles safety NOT mechanical soundness. That's just talking flood damage
What about accident damage?
I have to add that my comments are based ENTIRELY on what I have personally laid eyes on not hypothetical senarios.
There are cars that are no different from UK imports or jap imports.

I was merely pointing out a simple fairly non invasive test that MAY reveal previous water ingress in the cabin not dealt with by a less diligent repairer, even that goes beyond the normal realms of a PPI. If you want to pull half a car apart to reveal a condition that may not exist in the first place then go ahead.

Wouldn't you feel ripped if 12 months or so after purchase you found you had had several mysterious electrical failures?
Have a read of this.-the reason for the case was different but it highlights the issue/potential issue http://www.nzlii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/nz/cases/NZMVDT/2015/134.html?query=2015

Come on now Kaz, dealers engaging in deceptive behaviour? Surely not. That case sounds like Dumb vs Dumber to me, if you are going to knowingly purchase a flood damaged and uncomplied vehicle its a no brainer that thousands more could be involved over and above the purchase price. The purchaser knew what they were buying and should have sought independent advice, its not like the seller lied about its origins.

Appears to me the dealer was hard done by in the above case.

Franc you are missing my point- Don't focus on the specifics of the dealer or the case but what was involved in getting the vehicle legal.
I can't see with that level of stripping how anyone by inspection could find the indicators you suggest.