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I may be moving next summer from Ringgold, Ga to Vancouver, BC. My 87 Formula will never pass an emissions inspection again, which is fine in Ringgold because they don't require the test here. But what about Vancouver? I have read a lot on the government sites about bringing a car from US to Canada but I keep getting the run around on what is required and what isn't.
Has anyone here brought a third gen from the US to Canada? Into Vancouver or any other part? Do I need to change anything on the car? Is an emissions inspection required? What was your experience like?
Last edited by SpeedyGeek; 07-27-2009 at 05:38 PM.
Don't take my word for it here, because its been a long time since I checked, but since all 3rdgens are now over 15 years old, they can be brought in under 'antique' status or something like that - which makes them emissions exempt in that they don't have to pass a sniffer test or a visual of the emissions system.
IIRC, basically they only have to pass a legal safety inspection to be able to be registered. Thats the case here in SK anyway.
I'm pretty sure 25 years and unmodified is the requirement for antique status. I'd assume the out of country requirements for a vehicle would be about the same as an out of province, which is stupidly strict in Alberta (I've heard of new vehicles failing because of a spot of oil underneath), although there's no emissions testing here. I couldn't say for certain whether there is emissions testing in BC.
Has anyone here brought a third gen from the US to Canada? Into Vancouver or any other part? Do I need to change anything on the car? Is an emissions inspection required? What was your experience like?
Welcome to the bureaucracy. I know Revenue Canada has a pamplet at their border crossings. I'll try to get one today. I looked on their web site but it's a mess. As far as I know in Ontario '87 is the first year no smog test is required. I don't know about BC. You'll have to do some searching on the BC Ministry of the environment site.
Your best bet is to call a "Canadian Tire" store and talk to the guys in automotive. Around here they do the safety & e-tests for guys bringing in cars from the US. They'll be able to tell you what you need to do.
I'm sure it was 15 years old, just not sure on the terminology... because thats what lead to the massive importing of all the RHD cars from Japan (Sylines, 300ZX, etc) over the last couple of years - the fact that they only really had to pass a basic safety inspection to make them legal here.
ASM / Idle
1991 and older vehicles (except diesels) are tested using a steady-state dynamometer test, but still uses a dynamometer to facilitate emissions measurement while driving. The test measures emission levels for HC, CO, and NOx while the vehicle is driven at a steady speed of 40 kph and again while the engine idles. The driving test may last up to 90 seconds depending on how "clean" the vehicle is in the early part of the test.
and
Quote:
Tampering Inspections
Most vehicles are also visually inspected to ensure that the most important emission control devices have not been tampered with.
So they are stricter than Ontario, most don't even do a visual here.
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I contacted some place (don't remember the name) that has all the information on this. In BC if a car is 15 years old or older it does not need any modifications or emissions inspection. Just bring it in and have the safety inspection done.
I contacted some place (don't remember the name) that has all the information on this. In BC if a car is 15 years old or older it does not need any modifications or emissions inspection. Just bring it in and have the safety inspection done.
Hm....I used to live near Vancouver (Now live on Vancouver island which has no emissions testing.) and can assure you that isn't how it is.
From the Aircare website:
Quote:
The following exemptions are in effect during 2009:
2003 and newer model year vehicles
Vehicles with vintage plates (Which can only be driven during events/shows/parades (See ICBC website) car must also be 30 years or older.)
Motorcycles, snowmobiles, amphibious vehicles and ATVs
Farm fleet and agricultural vehicles
Motor homes with a net vehicle weight over 3500 kg.
Vehicles with collector plates* (except new applications for collector status) Car must be 25 years or older or a limited-production model (1,500 or fewer manufactured that model year) or at least 15 years old, with no vehicles of any kind built by its manufacturer for at least five years.
Electric vehicles
Hybrid vehicles
Please Note: 2002 model year vehicles will require AirCare inspection for licence renewals after January 1, 2009. * Vehicles are required to pass an AirCare inspection as a one-time condition of application for collector's designation.
All that is information directly from Aircare (Emissions testing) and ICBC (The one and only car insurance company in BC.)
You'll need to make your car pass aircare once if you want to get it insured and that's with collector plates meaning you can't drive your car to work/school, only for pleasure. You'll also need to wait until 2012 before you can get Collector plates. You can always get temp tags but it really wouldn't work in the long run.
on what is required and what isn't.
