How To Register A Gray Market Car In California

Warranty return or lemon law buyback.

How to register a gray market car in california. Direct import or gray market vehicles are vehicles that were manufactured outside the united states for which the original manufacturer did not obtain california or federal certification. Vehicles originally manufactured for sale and use outside the united states but which have been converted to meet federal and california safety and emissions standards. Since it s a post 1975 car it is required to have certain smog devices and a test to get registered. When i purchased 9193 i was unaware of grey market cars and how ca. Views them regarding smog and registration.

Safety and emissions standards. Grey market cars are illegally imported vehicles that don t meet u s. Federal motor vehicle safety standards and or california emissions standards and is not intended by the manufacturer to be used or sold in the u s. It s an original ca blue plate car imported into ca at the height of the gray market era shipped from the dealer in ge direct to the gray market importer in so cal i have original window sticker. A grey market vehicle i e direct import is not manufactured to meet u s.

Releasing it from the port is a long task and registering it with the dmv is no picnic. Even that s a big maybe. Since it spent very little time in germany and the rest of it s life in so cal it s rust free. All grey market vehicle inspections are only performed at the wethersfield inspection lane. The epa normally covers direct import vehicles under the ici program but if a vehicle is going to be registered in california it needs to meet the.

A temporary registration may be issued at that time so that the vehicle can be presented for a safety inspection at a connecticut dmv inspection lane and an emissions inspection at a connecticut emissions station. I m just worried they re going to send me to a smog ref and i m going to be under the microscope. How to import your gray market dream car in 3 easy steps. If you live in california or hawaii the 25 year rule likely does not apply. These vehicles have different smog check inspection requirements.

Talk about a sucker punch that i didn t see coming. Registering the vehicle is straightforward. I tried to register it at the auto club today but when it came up as a grey market car the said it needed a dmv managers code and they told me i have to go into the dmv to complete registration. They re the forbidden fruit of the car world.