VW Golf II

[nick1234]

Hey everyone !!

I have a rather strange request. I will be coming to Australia this coming October for my Masters programme in Sydney.
I still have an older but great car (VW Golf II) in perfect condition here in Germany (my current country of residence) which I would like to ship to NSW. I have also already heard of some Germans and English people who have done that sort of shipping before. My VW dealer here advised me to contact a few VW clubs and such in this regards. In that respect I was hoping that you could maybe provide me with some supportive information. Maybe you know of some companies that undertake this form of shipping for not too much money. Do you have any information on whether cars with left hand drive are accepted in the state of NSW? Is there a sufficient amount of used spare parts for this car ? I have been informed that there might be a charge of around 1.000$ AU (import charge). Any idea if that is it ?
Can you maybe tell me more about costs for insurance for somebody that is 24 years old & taxes for a 19-year old VW (50 horse power Diesel) in NSW ?
What do I have to watch out for in relation to importing the vehicle (paperwork and possible costs)?

Anything information you might have would be really helpful to me. In case you might not know, please feel free to pass on or post this message elsewhere. Any information would really help me.

In this respect I want to thank you in advance for your time. I really appreciate it !!

Kind regards,

- Nick

[brackie]

How long???

Whether or not it's worth bringing it over depends upon a number of things:
1. Can you drive it in NSW? To my knowledge WA is the only state that allows LHD cars to be driven on the road.
2. Is it worth shipping it? Can you afford to leave it in Germany and buy a cheap VW over here then sell it when you leave?
3. How long will you be in OZ? (see 1. and 2.)
4. If you're staying a number of years it may be worth converting it to RHD. There are plenty of parts available from forum members.

I for one would love to see a Mk2 diesel over here That would really get my bells ringing!

If you've owned it for more than a year in Germany you can bring it in as a "Personal Import" and you don't have to pay anything other than customs and quarantine charges.

Carpoid recently brought his Corrado from the UK so he would have an idea of shipping costs.

Really, other than the NSW law on LHD cars, the bottom line is how long you're going to be here. If it's only for a short time you could buy a Mk1 diesel (like mine ) and drive it around 'til you go back.

[golfvr6]

my understanding is you can't drive LHD in NSW unless under special permit or vintage car (>25yrs)?

unfortunately, not really worth bringing

[Golf Loon]

Bring it, but it will need to be converted to RHD. Its not that hard, I have done a few conversions. You need a pedal box, steering rack, dashboard from a RHD car and a few other bits. I have most of them in my shed.

Probably a donor seat cordoba would be the easiest solution, as you would have all the bits you need. There were no Golf Mk2 or 3 diesels sold here, so it would be a rare car. With fuel on the increase it would be a smart move.
I reckon for $1500 you could get it converted to RHD.

Shipping a car to Australia costs 1000 pounds for a roll on roll off ferry from the UK, so is probably similar for Germany. Less if you put it in a container with your personal effects. Companies that specialize in moving you to Australia usually have facility for you to bring a car.

As long as you have owned it for a year overseas, there is no problem about bringing it. If its 1988 or earlier there is no duty to be paid. It will have to pass Aussie compliance rules, which for carpoids corrado was 2 child belt points in the boot at a cost of a couple of hundred bucks.

Hope to see you over here soon

[gtimk5]

There is an imported mk2 deisel running around Hobart. Been here for years.

[nick1234]

Golf

Cheers guys for your comments !!!

My stay in Au will be of at least 2 years, possibly longer if I find a job, so it would make sens to bring the car as long as I don't have to convert it to RHD or make other additional changes to it. I would like to ship it with my personal belongings (via a shared container) but there is just so much paperwork and everywhere u ask for info they tell u something different.
Any idea who issues permits for LHD cars to be driven in NSW ? Do u have something like a regular MOT (inspection) like we do over here ?

I can't leave the vehicle over here since I have nowhere to store it and it would have to be driven around during my absence. Moreover, it will not pass the MOT again in a few years due to the governments decision to phase out all older cars in order to stimulate the local economy.

But thank you so much for your helpful comments !! If ever u find something, please let me know.

Regards,

- Nick

[Golf Loon]

You cannot register a LHD car in NSW for road use if it is made afte 1968.

It will have to be converted, or leave it in Germany.

[nick1234]

hello mate,

you're all right ? I have finally arrived from Europe in Sydney this week and have been somewhat looking for vehicles so that I can explore this great state (NSW) into much more detail. Apparently though, Australian procedures (paperwork and etc.) are so different from European regultations that I am a little confused. I recently went to the RTA who gave me a few brochures but I still have a whole bunch of questions left (in regards to REGO and insurance etc). Consequently, I was wondering if you would happen to know of some reunions or anything (i.e. places) where I could go to/ or join in order to find out more since I do not want to purchase a car before my questions have been cleared up. Any ideas on that one ?

I live in Marsfield/ North Ryde btw.

Cheers mate !!

Speak to you soon !

Regards,

- Nick

[moto]

Nick
yes its a bit different to Germany.

The main steps are:
1) Before paying any money to the seller go here http://www.revs.nsw.gov.au/ and do a "REVS check". You will need the licence plate number and you may need the engine number and vin number. A REVS check will tell you if the seller is the legal owner and it will also tell you if the seller is "free" to sell the car. (He doesn't owe anyone money for it).

2) When you buy a car you have to make sure the seller signs the ownership transfer form. This is a form on the reverse side of the "Registration" form sheet.

3) You need to be aware that here the registration is only valid for one year. There should be a sticker on a window to tell you when it will expire and must be renewed.

4) Registration here is centralised in the State. Not in the town. So every RTA office is a branch of a central system. It is not independent. Therefore you can go to any RTA office.

5) If the car registration must be renewed and the car is more than 3 years old, you must take it to an authorised garage for a safety check. This costs between 30 & 40 dollars. You should ask the seller to do this. When the car has passed the safety check you receive a pink form sheet. We call that a "Pink Slip"

6) You then take the registration form sheet and the pink slip, your passport and your International driving licence to an RTA office. You will also need a copy of your hotel bill or a letter from people you are staying with that verifies your address. Proving where you live can be the hardest part of the business but finally no one cares where you live - so long as you can prove it. There will be a fee for transferring the registration to you. It will be a % of the price you paid for the car.

7) When you go to the RTA you will wait in a long line for a long time. When your number comes up it will then all be fixed in a few moments.

If you need some more help pm me
Good luck ... you may need it.

[tommymac]

hahah the RTA= Joke

dont worry bout the car enjoy the fine ladies at sydney uni

[Golf Loon]

7) When you go to the RTA you will wait in a long line for a long time. When your number comes up it will then all be fixed in a few moments.

Or they will send you away to get other paperwork and make life as difficult as possible for you.

[nick1234]

ladies

mate,

Maybe I don't just need a local carbuyers guide but also a guide that explains where to meet locals !!

I have been here for a good week now without having met many people from here ! (I am actually living with Americans) Is there a place in Central Sydney (like a pub of some sort) where people from the forum meet up once in a while ?

Cheers

[Golf Loon]

No one is central Sydney is from Sydney. You need to goto the suburbs to see the real Sydney.

[moto]

Or they will send you away to get other paperwork and make life as difficult as possible for you.

Oh yeah ... you're right
I forgot that step

[Golf Loon]

Maybe I don't just need a local carbuyers guide but also a guide that explains where to meet locals !!

We are all quite geographically scattered on this forum.

Get yourself a copy of The Trading Post on Thursday and educate yourself. $3 at the newsagent.