Classic cars

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tui_marley, Apr 12, 11:16am
We are looking at purchasing a classic car (1961) however we know that it doesn't have the certification for the engine or disc brakes (the owner has a friend who puts a warrant on it anyway - dodgy I know!).
I am weary spending that much money on a car that isn't road legal. If it were a new car I would take it to get a pre purchase inspection, should I do this for a classic car? Is there somewhere in the Waikato that specialises in older model vehicles?
A little lost and don't want to end up with a surprise money pit.

m16d, Apr 12, 11:41am
If in doubt, don't.

muzz67, Apr 12, 11:55am
Probably more important on an older car to get a PPI than on a modern one.
If he does not pay to have the car made legal, then you will.

tygertung, Apr 12, 12:33pm
Would an average wof inspector notice the engine or brakes?

tweake, Apr 12, 12:38pm
sadly yes they do.
they actually check for the model number of the engine as the engines look identical and are the same size etc.

tweake, Apr 12, 12:40pm
it will need to go to a certifier for inspection. i would call them and see what it would cost for an inspection. then you can get some idea what needs to be done and how much it would cost.

toyboy3, Apr 12, 12:41pm
Make your offer conditional he gets a cert . Buying interfered with cars is a big gamble, plus the market for them is small . Where’s buying a manufactured standard car will have a greater market and retain its value as that’s what the manufacturer aimed for when they made it .Unless its a Morris Marina

magoo2, Apr 12, 12:50pm
I have never known a WOF inspector check model number of a motor unless it was obviously a different model. for example It is very hard to tell an early non crossflow 1200 from a 1500 to the average person.Likewise most early holden motors look similar as do mk2 and mk3 zephyr motors

gpg58, Apr 12, 12:55pm
My guess is one problem would be, its a waste of time insuring it at all, without it having a cert.
As i think most insurance assessors, would be looking for just such a way to avoid claim, if ever in an accident.

curlcrown, Apr 12, 1:01pm
When were the modifications done? If many years ago before cert rules came in it might not need one.

sr2, Apr 12, 1:02pm
Would be interested in make, model and modifications?

tweake, Apr 12, 1:03pm
they do now.
they must have cracked the whip on it some years ago. all of a sudden a whole lot people all over the show started getting failed for it, including myself. it was commented on here a few times.
the only difference on mine is the number cast into the block.

sandypheet, Apr 12, 1:05pm
Yes it will.

msigg, Apr 12, 1:32pm
magoo2 is on to it, I have an old car and have never had a proper inspection done for the past 16 years, "just how I like it", It's all a crock anyway, the above car has had brake upgrades so that should be better, these old cars go alot slower on the roads than the moderns and they cover a fraction of the Kms, so the old cars should not have to get a WOF at all, it's about money that's all, plenty of countries none of ths wof foe six months bulldust, most owner of these classic cars look after them and take care in their use, plenty of scare mongering on here. But hey each to their own.

curlcrown, Apr 12, 1:37pm
Maybe not if done before 1992 https://www.lvvta.org.nz/faq.html

franc123, Apr 12, 1:49pm
It would be nice to say that is consistently the case and the system is perfect, but it simply isn't. Unless the individual inspector has been schooled on the science of engine codes and vehicle specifications of every vehicle made since the beginning of motoring that is ever likely to be presented to him/her, there is always going to be those that slip through the net, deliberately or not. Owners often don't know themselves that their '65 Impala they were told from who they bought it from had a 327 in it has been upgraded to a 350 (as an example) if theres no obvious external ID features or theyve been removed or changed.

franc123, Apr 12, 1:57pm
That's why periodic safety checks on over 40yo cars in some countries have been dumped, inconsistency of inspection and the fact that owners of such cars generally take good care of them is the reason. They still own them because they love them. So few mechanics/inspectors who were working commercially on the tools in 1980 are still doing so now, the thought is that people trained in the 2000's don't really know what's what when it comes to application of fair failure criteria on old cars.

gpg58, Apr 12, 1:59pm
Looks like only if you had a modification declaration cert before then, and have changed nothing since.

"Cars that were modified prior to 1 January 1992 were issued with a Modification Declaration Certificate at that time. The Modification Declaration Certificate is valid as long as the vehicle is continually registered and until changes are made to the vehicle, at which time the vehicle must be LVV certified and issued with an LVV plate. Provided the vehicle is still the same as it was in 1992, the Modification Declaration Certificate continues to be valid today for WOF purposes. The WOF issuer is able to check with LVVTA or NZTA to verify details on the certificate".

tygertung, Apr 12, 2:19pm
What if the engine number on the block had become obscured in some way?

john1623, Apr 12, 2:33pm
What happens if you get a new shortblock.

tamarillo, Apr 12, 2:37pm
Op, what is it? And what engine has it got?

loud_37, Apr 12, 3:07pm
offer $5000 to $10000 less than the asking price, or say get it certed properly and you'll pay asking.

tweake, Apr 12, 3:11pm
i don't know. if someone ground off the model number cast in the block. maybe they make you prove its the model you say it is ?

while they probably won't recognise all the different engines, they probably have examples of the common conversions that are done.

bill1451, Apr 12, 3:36pm
older cars do not have air bags side intrusion bars etc etc, so you are paying acc levies because of this.

jmma, Apr 12, 4:02pm
ACC levies in a WOF?