Import your own new Skoda from UK/Japan(?) from 2018

[wfdTamar]

Can't get that trick new Skoda model you see available in the UK? Never mind, soon (201 you'll be able to import it from the UK. 4x4 RS anyone?


'Australian motorists will soon be able to save money through bypassing car dealers to source new cars from overseas.

The Federal Government announced on Tuesday that parallel imports of new cars are part of planned changes to the Motor Vehicle Act that will go to parliament this year.



Read more: Australian buyers allowed to import new cars from 2018
Follow us: @drivecomau on Twitter | Drive.com.au on Facebook'

[woofy]

Yeah fun times without warranties though, car dealers here are going mental over this news. Not surprising though NZ has had it forever as they didn't have a manufacturing industry to protect.

[Antiplastix]

Part of the attraction of a new car is the warranty. I don't mind paying extra for peace of mind. Our Yeti has been back twice for DSG repairs, once for new cam followers and had the leads replaced. That would cost a fortune if you had to pay for it yourself.

[Hillbilly]

Yeah fun times without warranties though, car dealers here are going mental over this news. Not surprising though NZ has had it forever as they didn't have a manufacturing industry to protect.

Yes but the imports from Japan werent always easy to get parts for even though quite often they were similar to what was legally imported by dealers.
Frequently they were much higher spec than NZ cars that usually didnt have aircon etc. Ruined trade in prices as was cheaper to import one than pay a trade.

I had several and for a long time Toyota wouldnt give part numbers for Jap imports. They realised there was money in it so got the CD's with all the info on them.. was easy after that as a lot were identical.

[Tigger]

Well, I want the following:

RS AWD wagon with 19" black pack, roof, xenons, tech pack etc....
in Ralyee Green!!!

Come on Skoda Aust...give us the Green option, or we will just import them in ourselves from the UK!

[wfdTamar]

Blimey, if you have a look at the Skoda UK site there are 34 variations of Octavia estate available!

Octavia vRS Estate - List prices - Å*KODA

I wonder if we could buy it VAT free too which would make the RS 4x4 £23,188 (A$47,366) before you even pay for shipping. Lets assume you could get it a bit cheaper - maybe $40-45k. Maybe a demo 5-10 less than that.

[Hillbilly]

Article in the Sunday Mail today that sets it out with an example of a Corolla. Says it wont be any cheaper than buying here and you can only get one every two years.

They say the only ones who will benefit will be those who buy expensive cars.

The new rules are for NEW cars so if a demo has been registered it WONT BE NEW will it.

[wfdTamar]

I remembered the 12 months bit, but forgot the under 500Km. So a demo is ok, but it has to be low km:

'Cars must be right-hand-drive, less than 12 months old and have less than 500 kilometres on the odometer. '

Read more: Australian buyers allowed to import new cars from 2018
Follow us: @drivecomau on Twitter | Drive.com.au on Facebook

[Hillbilly]

In NZ the parallel imports or "Jap imports" as commonly known have to be complianced to the standard of NZ models. The seatbelts have to be replaced and other things done to make them legal. Cannot just bring it in and drive it, has to go through Vinz to get a new VIN number etc

Importing Vehicles - VINZ | Vehicle Registration and Testing in NZ

Hopefully the same will be done here.

[brenno]

This is going to be great. Not only can I order the spec that is denied to me by Skoda Australia, but I don't need to deal with them in the process! Win win.