How do you import a diesel ehicle from England?

[n3nyongmini]

r3v:

There is a family in our neighborhood that brought over a VW T4 TDI from England (known as the Eurovan in the US).

I have no idea how they got it over here, but it's been here at least a year or so. They tell me they can't get it legally registered, however, since the T4 (Eurovan) was never imported into the US with the TDI engine. Is there any way for them to get it legit with emissions/EPA so it can get registered?

We're in Texas, in a county (Harris) that does yearly smog testing with the inspection, FWIW.

I have no idea how they got it into the country in the first place, but they are talking about having to ship it back. Seems crazy to me.

Should they just part it out? Replace the engine with a US-spec VW TDI or gas-burner?

Any of y'all have experience with this?

[slammin.e28]

It has to be 25 to legally get registered.

That said, I know a guy who has a 2000 Mini Cooper here. It was brought in a registered as a 1962. It's got airbags, a 200hp engine, everything. He bought it from the guy who brought it over and realized what he had after the fact.

[QUKBMER]

Ehicle's are hard to import from england bro.

[Cabriolet]

on a boat.

[freeride53]

Jesus christ.
There are tons of people that will tell you importing a newer model grey market EHICLE is impossible, newer than 25 years, but it really isn't

It just costs a lot of money, and there are PLENTY of loopholes, like in the great state of Florida, Texas (cars impounded by the US marshall and resold), etc...

The gov even has sales where you can find a 2000's Peugeot or Renault, etc...

You also get the cars that come through Canada, usually through British Columbia, that are RHD, etc... you can get it done but it will COST you.

-S

[Asbradley21]

Sell it to me, I'll just title wash it. AL doesn't care.

[b*saint]

I dont know if Id trust NA diesel in EUR vehicles.

[Julien]

i know someone who will buy it, pm me if they're serious about selling

[mrsleeve]

25 years old or older No prob.

No its not you say. Well it will need to be "federalized" to US DOT standards (dash lights, heavy bumpers, multiple air bags, blinkers, markers High center brake light ect..... lots of little shit) and the evil Non EPA US emissions compliant euro Diesel pulled outta that thing and have a US regulator approved (more than likely GAS) engine installed all on your own dime. Then pay to have it inspected by a federal, state bureaucrats. Then and only then maybe you can go stand in line at the DMV to try and explain to the mindless paper work pusher that you have meet all the requirements and pay them if you are successful in the venture to get your plate and tags.

Not worth it

[Roysneon]

LOL why did they bring it in without knowing exactly what they needed to do to be able to use it?

[slammin.e28]

LOL why did they bring it in without knowing exactly what they needed to do to be able to use it?

Just to say they had one.

I'd just import the motor/trans and driveline then swap it into a US van. BAM! Fuck you EPA.

As long as you live in an area that doesn't do emissions inspections, you're good.

[n3nyongmini]

LOL why did they bring it in without knowing exactly what they needed to do to be able to use it?

Perhaps some folks don't put much forethought into things as others do here on r3vlimited.

I don't ask questions, I try to solve them.