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Hi,
I purchased an imported Mazda Atenza about 2 weeks (I am the second NZ owner) ago that I found out has been lowered. The mechanic who found it said that the rears were on the bump stops, and that the front had an excessive camber. I was really worried so I took the car to another mechanic for a consultation, and he said there was about 30mm between the rear springs and the bump stops, and wasn't concerned about the camber at the front - he said it was all warrantable. It does currently have a WOF. My questions then are:
1) Is there any way of knowing whether the lowering of the car was done professionally?
2) What is the likelyhood that the car was lowered in Japan and then imported? (For context, I ask because the car has a big bore exhaust system that I didn't realise either that maybe looks like it was done in Japan by an official Mazda workshop)
3) Do you think I would need a LVV cert for this?

I appreciate your time with this matter. Thanks

Hi there,
Direct replacement suspension components that are not adjustable will usually be considered professionally lowered and not require to be LVV certified, otherwise the vehicle would not have passed entry to NZ. This is the same with the exhaust.
Naturally when a vehicle is lowered, the wheel alignment is changed and requires resetting and in some cases can't be totally corrected to reduce tyre wear.
Most modifications will be carried out in Japan before import and have usually been on the vehicle for some time.
A workshop should be able to tell by looking at the suspension springs for stickers, colours, and workmanship to make sure they are professionally fitted.