[v12]

Hi guys,
We all know that most of the phoren cars here are illegally imported by avoiding import duties. I had read in the papers 2 years back about the import scam at the ports. They had mentioned about the modus-operandi. A new 2002 Landcruiser was imported and unloaded at the ports. The car wud then be driven out and an old Landcruiser was taken in and duty calculated on the older model. The old car would be registered at the local RTO and the number would be used by the 2002 LC. This way they wud avoid duties on imported cars.

Well yesterday I seen an S55 AMG. I've been seeing this car very often. And I will recognise the car anywhere. Its a dark gray colored S. Well what I noticed was that the "S55 *AMG" badging was gone. Instead there was a "S320 *CDI" badging at the rear. Now who's heard of a diesel S320? And the registration number had also changed from "HR----" to "AP----".

Well I also seen a silver S Class yest. It had Brabus alloy wheels and a S320 AMG badging at the rear. Clear lens [front and rear] lights that suggest its a S350 ad not an S320. It had the regn number "MH-02-KA----". KA means that it was registered in 2000-2001. But the S350 was introduced just last year. So how cud a 2003 car have a 2001 regn number. Anyways it cud be that the guy had fixed the S350 lights on his S320.

I've also seen a Honda Odyssey[new 2002 model] bearing regn number MH-04-AC-////. AC means its a 1995-96 regn. How is this possible. I've seen the same number on another car too. Isnt it surprising??

Also seen a Toyota MR-S some years back, i think 2000. It had regn number MH-01-S////. Thats 1995. And the MR-S wasnt introduced in 1995. back then it was only the MR2.

So guys, please beware. Before buying an imported car, please verify the authenticity of the registration number at the RTO. You could be buying a stolen car or a car that hasnt been legally imported. It cud cause trouble in the future. Prevention is better than cure.

[GTO]

V12,

The S320 CDI is offered on sale by Mercedes Benz in various countries (I believe Europeanm destinations being the most popular). And correct me if I am wrong...Sanghi Motor Cars which is Bombays premier dealer of Mercedes-Benz's had included a 4 page advertising supplement with the Times of India. In that paper too, they had listed the S320 CDI.

Yes the absolute lack of technology in the RTO offices alongwith no integration of data between the various RTO branches is to blame for this. Look around at the Mahindra offices...You will see tons of Mahindras bearing the SAME registration numbers (primarily MH-15 registrations i.e. Nasik). In fact, its also a common practice for Mahindras and Tatas to frequently use the same numberplate on different vehicles.

I have also heard of lots of people getting scammed by these used car dealers who can sell you a Lexus relatively cheap. The Customs department then contacts the buyer of the car after a year or so with a notice to pay up or surrender the vehicle for auctions.

Sad...illegal....but a horrid truth.

Thanks for providing this information to all of us V12

GTO

[ajmat]

Funny you mention this, I saw a Porsche 996 in Bangalore with an HR 18 no which can be traced to a vague village in Haryana. Did not make sense until now.

[v12]

most of the super[b]cars have an HR-18 regn. The 360, SL55 AMG, S55 AMG etc all have HR regn.

[abdriver2000]

>>>KA means that it was registered in 2000-2001

The KA series was introduced in 2003.

Thanks for the informative article.

[v12]

oh sorry. i got confused between KA and K.

[v12]

hey abdriver, KA isnt 2003. Its 2001-2002. cos my neighbour has a City [Mh02LA] and that is a 2003 model.

[Revvmaster]

Hey V12

LA is a 2002 registration. My Zen is an LA registration 2002, and the no. is pretty much one of the last ones, being 96**. KA is 01-02 btw IMO.

[v12]

ooops sorry again. i thought it was an early 2002 City. Its a late 2002 [Oct Nov, i guess] model.
For 2004 its NA, right??

[ajmat]

Further to stuff posted by grim reaper -I note a lot of imported cars have the number HR 18 - it is a small village called Lohan or something like that - what's the catch ?

[v12]

most of the cars at choksis are also HR regd. The 360, SL55, S55 etc are HR registered.

[Rehaan]

My GUESS would be that somebody at choksis' brother is the head of the RTO there or soemthing like that! ;-]

[Dippy]

Looks like most of our exotics are from Haryana. Looks like village may soon get the title " Exotic Village"

Cheers

[v12]

Todays Westside Plus has an article on a Black 350Z registered as MH-04-X-786. Its definitely a fake regn. The 350Z was never there in 1995. So how come it had a 95 regn. I'm happy i'm not that reporter or this racket wud have been busted years ago with Scoop pics also

[lamborghini]

hey GTO even skoda cars have the same no. in their ads - MH 06 T 619

guys this is the reason i never buy imported unless its from a proper person like an authorised dealer