What Is A Vehicle Identification Inspection?

[-= SKiZO =-]

Went to the RTA today for my Saturday morning runaround with all my paperwork, all excited about finally getting my rego for my V35(3 months last week since I bought the car in Japan).

After 40 minutes exactly at the counter trading paperwork with the nice lady, I get told, I have been selected for a "random" identity check.

I said, "Huh?"

She said, "they have to check the numbers of the car to make sure it's not stolen"

I'm like, "doesn't the blue slip guy and/or compliance guy and/or customs guy and/or DOTARS do that?"

She says, "Yeah but sometimes we like to doublecheck"

I say, "ok i'll go get the car and i'll meet you out front"

She says, "no you have to book it in. Earliest we can do is 2 weeks away 7am in the morning in South Penrith."

My stomache drops. Might as well be in Bathurst.

Finally after looking around she manages to find a booking next week.

"Oh and btw, you are going to have to resubmit all your paperwork next time you want to register this car."

Great.

Questions,

1) what exactly is this "Vehicle Identification Inspection". I know they check vins and engine numbers. But is that all? Is it like a defect check too? See below.

2) Compliance guy says that you need new tyres for compliance.

RTA Technical says that I CAN run Japanese tyres on the road as long as they are load rated and tread is legal. NO, they don't have to be DOT rated. Checked this twice. This seems a bit conflicting to me. What's the point of paying $1000 for tyres for compliance if you are allowed to use your Japanese tyres on the road? Can someone please clarify in case I have misunderstood.

3) What I've done - The tyres that I bought are Brigestone G3's. They are out of stock everywhere till beginning of next month, so unable to put them on the car as yet. Compliance guy says thats fine as long as you buy them and provide receipt. I've done this. So question is will I get defected or shafted otherwise at this vehicle inspection because I haven't put on new tyres yet.

4) Do I need a weighbridge ticket? The RTA guys went from you do, then you don't, then maybe, that's ok we'll submit it without it for now.

I feel totally gutted right now, I was so close today yet they were just teasing me

Such a long and arduous process hoping to hear from actual people in Sydney that have done this identity check please.

Many thanks.

[raz0r$harP.UK]

Search for "VIIU" or "identity check" on SAU should bring up a couple of related threads.

RTA told me most SEVS plated cars will have to undergo one, main reason to ensure it's not a rebirth. I have been through a couple. No biggie.

You drive the car into the carpark at the Vehicle Identification Inspection Unit (VIIU, hand the inspectors your keys and all paperwork. They will drive the car into the garage and shut the door. You're not allowed to view the inspection.

Whereabouts are you at? The RTA has a VIIU at Botany and Penrith, and you can generally choose which one to go to.

They will inspect the import paperwork (CIN), as well as ensure VINs and engine numbers match up.

In regards to defects - a few early posts on SAU seemed to indicate you could get pinged for defects whilst at the VIIU (after all, if you ever need an RTA defect inspection it's conducted at the VIIU). However, I went through last year with some HIDs and it wasn't mentioned. Being a SEVS car I would imagine that your V35 is pretty clean though. Shouldn't have any problems. I would not suggest going through with a 4" exhaust and 19" rims though...

Tyres: Bit strange there. The CIN issued by the RAWS should lists all the work carried out during compliance, including what brand of tyres were fitted. I would try to ensure that they match up to what's on the notice.

Overall it's not really a big issue, the inspection. Always a bad feeling waiting for them, but I had no issues.

[-= SKiZO =-]

Thanks for the advice Razor.

I live real close to the VIIU in Silverwater, but couldn't get an appointment there for at least 2 weeks, so I'll be heading to Botany next week.

Yes car is completely stock. Just don't want anything else to crop up during the inspection that could delay the process again.

Do you know if I need a weighbridge ticket to register it? RTA wasn't sure.

[raz0r$harP.UK]

Yeah you'll require a weighbridge ticket.

[-= SKiZO =-]

Ok back from the VIIU.

Identity Check my arse!

It was a full defect and doublecheck every single point of compliance.

It happens exactly as you said Razor. You are not allowed to view the inspection.

Unfortunately failed for Xenons(autoleveling and self cleaning missing) and tyres not changed, purchase receipt is not enough - fair enough.

Found out what the deal is on tyres from the Inspector. He says that you can keep the Japanese tyres as long as compliance "engineers" the tyres to say that they meet ADR's. Not sure what that entails, but i'll put this to the test with the compliance place.

Bit frustrated over the Xenons though. Been reading up on some threads here. Needless to say, I don't like this regulation

Off to research how to upgrade rather than downgrade. If anyone has experience please let me know. Cheers.

[sewid]

Sorry to hear you failed the RTA check.

Also it's a shame you wasted 2 weeks waiting - you could have got an interim label for that 2 weeks so you could drive the car. Next time you make a booking make sure you ask for one. Also - being very nice and friendly at the RTA can make things go smoother. If everyone at your RTA has a pole shoved up their ass then find another one nearby

About the tyres. You know now that you need new tyres on and you need the receipt. Of course you can keep the Japanese tyres and that's what I did just don't put them on the car until after its registered. My car arrived with brand new Bridgestone Re01's so I took those off and fitted some Nangkang $700 tyres for compliance.

You do not need to "engineer" the tyres or whatever the RTA inspector says. Most tyres from Japan will be fine as is.

The xenons can be dealt with as well without destroying the headlight.

[wrxhoon]

I'm very surprised that your compliancer didn't know that you need new tyres and either halogen h/lights or xenons made to comply to ADR( very expensive).

If you need to make your h/lights halogen then reconvert to xenons, I have done it several times for a compliancer and i have custom made fitings to do the job .

If you can't get them done elsewhere, send me a P.M.

[-= SKiZO =-]

Well of course he knew that because he does it everyday, but unfortunately it was my fault as I was getting incorrect information from the RTA and was pushing him otherwise. I've since realised that even the RTA Technical enquires line(the guys that are meant to know all the regs) shouldn't be relied on entirely. In fact just yesterday I called them up about the Xenons and they told me they were fine to have on the road unless the globes where coloured.

[wrxhoon]

Well of course he knew that because he does it everyday, but unfortunately it was my fault as I was getting incorrect information from the RTA and was pushing him otherwise. I've since realised that even the RTA Technical enquires line(the guys that are meant to know all the regs) shouldn't be relied on entirely. In fact just yesterday I called them up about the Xenons and they told me they were fine to have on the road unless the globes where coloured.

I hope you don't expect the girls behind the counter at the RTA to know anything about ADR's, they dont even know about registering an import ...

Of course xenons are OK as long as they comply with ADRS ( they need self leveling and washers to comply).

Your compliancer is risking his license and a fine by letting the car go with tyres and lights that don't comply, of course he could always say that you change them afterhe put the plate on....

[raz0r$harP.UK]

^^ Yeah Jerry is right. The RAWS should be fully aware of all the ADR requirements to comply a car, especially after the presumably long shitfight that most would have had to endure from DOTARS to obtain approval to comply a car. 'Tis a bit strange he let you go like that, but anyway from your PM it looks like you'll be right next time.

[sewid]

From what Skizo is saying it looks like his compliancer advised him one way but he pressured the compliancer to let him take the chance.

Fair enough he took a chance and it was worth a shot.

I highly recommend sending wrxhoon a PM as he has the best method of sorting R34 headlights. His own car and many others are proof of that. Many compliancers do what amounts to a permanant conversion which is bad and very dangerous as the halogens perform horribly in the reflector designed for xenons.

[SKY031]

You drive the car into the carpark at the Vehicle Identification Inspection Unit (VIIU, hand the inspectors your keys and all paperwork. They will drive the car into the garage and shut the door. You're not allowed to view the inspection.

That sounds scary....

I've only got a hunk of junk, and I don't even like handing the keys over to workshops even when I can watch what they're doing to it.

I hope they're well covered by their own insurance in case they break/damage stuff.

It's insane that they have the ability to take your car behind closed doors and have their way with it.

I wonder if these inspections are videotaped?

What happens if the car comes out of the inspection a little worse for wear?

-scratched paint, or dirt on seats, or things missing, or mysterious electrical issues begin straight after you get the car back?

They could be doing anything to it!

EG; drive it in with $2500 suspension, then drive out with $250 suspension, all they have to say is "we didn't do it and you didn't see us do it, so you can't prove anything".

Perhaps you could try...... "it's under the age of 18 and needs a guardian present at all times"?

I guess this just goes back to my distrust of these agencies.

Their levels of competency aren't exactly inspiring, but I should probably butt out of this now, because I have no real relevant input.

[-= SKiZO =-]

Well my car passed the second inspection! Registered now and extremely happy with it!

SKY031 - When you're at the inspection you don't think about any of that stuff. You're just praying the car will pass. Yes you are powerless, but at the same time you don't want to rock the boat while your there cause they won't pass the car on a technicality and then your waiting another week and a half for the next free booking. You just have to trust them. Besides you can tell they are just trying to do their job - in my case I found they are quite strict and hardarse, but I guess they have to be.

Thanks all for your help and advice.

I know we may look a bit different, but still give us a wave when you see us out there.

[someonestolecc]

Well done dude.

I too feel the pain of agencies

You'd think the human race would have better things to do

[Beer Baron]

lol, last time I took a car to silverwater for that. they took it into the little room. shut it off, then the battery died and car could not be restarted. nothing funnier than seeing the RTA guys pushing the car out of the inspection room. lol I even got them to push me down the street so I could clutch start it. and yes it still passed!

[hectic180]

Im Off to silverwater monday week. Car is a 2000 Stagea with 18 wheels with new rubber, exhaust and Tein coil overs. Should i be worried ???

[rexo]

does anyone know if xenon headlights are going to get through the "vehicle identification inspection" ON A PERSONAL IMPORT. They got through blue slip inspection ok and compliance sticker has been received and fitted

[Silver_GT]

ah the joys of having an rta whod never ever done an import before within 20mins drive, the closest one has a VIIU Station at it, i went there first to "enquire" about resgistering an import, told me id need an identity check etc. so a few days later after i got my blue slip i went to the one a little further away (its a smaller one) and the nice lady at the counter asked her manager what to do, her manager said treat it as any unregistered car, she took copies of all my paperwork and i was on my way with shiny new number plates. I know where im goin next time!

[Beer Baron]

does anyone know if xenon headlights are going to get through the "vehicle identification inspection" ON A PERSONAL IMPORT. They got through blue slip inspection ok and compliance sticker has been received and fitted

it will not be a problem. I own a personal import. An 07 legacy GT. it has factory xenon's. and it's been through the Vehicle Identity Check.