How do people buy RHDs? Part 1
Although this question seems funny at first glance, it's not as simple as some people think.
There are two obvious ways to get buy a right hand drive vehicle if you're in Canada: Buy local, or import.
Buying an already imported RHD
So, say you're looking at buying a right hand drive and the car is already in Canada. This could be either privately, or through a forward-thinking dealer. Interestingly enough, as long as the car is safetied (or your province's equivalent).... it's just like buying a used car. If the car has a safety certificate..... you're done!
You might want to be proactive and make sure the car is 15 years old, and not skirting the law in any way (yes, there are ways this is done). Also, make sure you know if you're buying a RHD conversion, or a car that's always been a RHD (JDM spec).
The truck I bought had been registered in Manitoba before I bought it, so it was 'in the system'. I'm not sure what magic is all needed for the first time it is registered... but given it was imported properly and you have the documentation it shouldn't be a hassle (or, more of a hassle than usual). The 'first time insurance' will also vary province to province.
So... if it's here and has been registered in the past, it's just buying another used car. Best place to look? Kijiji.ca. Ebay is more miss than hit. Autotrader is also a good option, but kijiji is making it irrelevant.
Hang on for next week for more!
rob
March 12th, 2012 - 02:55
If its the vehicles first time being registered in a province, does it need to be compliant checked, or will a regular safety you can get done anywhere do?
March 12th, 2012 - 09:05
Depends on which province you’re in.
BC: You need an Out-of-province (OOP) check, which would check compliance items
AB: I think an OOP is needed, compliance items seem pretty soft
SK: Normal safety. Sounds like no compliance is checked
MB: Normal safety. Supposed to check compliance items at that time.
ON: Sounds like a normal safety, and pretty soft on compliance items.
QC: No new RHDs.
East Coast: NB has given people issues. I’ve seen RHDs for sale in the other provinces, but don’t know about compliance tasks.