Ask an expert

I owned a car for about a year when it blew up. It happened in November last year and I left it on my front lawn for approximately 6 months.

During this time I was debating on whether I should try to fix it or not. Someone ended up buying it last month, but after they signed the papers they dropped the plates back to me and said I should deregister it myself as they were only going to use a few parts then tow the rest to the tip.

They knew the car wasn't warranted or registered, as the warrant and rego had run out not long after the car blew up.

I agreed to this, then found out I have to pay for the registration for the whole six months that I wasn't using it.

Is there any way I can avoid having to pay for registration, as my car wasn't being used and this is going to cost a lot for me as I am only 18 and am saving to go overseas in June.

Alice

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

It is not difficult to import vehicles over 20 years of age, because they are not required to meet current frontal impact or emissions standards.

They must however, be in good mechanical and structural condition and are subjected to an in-depth roadworthiness check as part of the compliance process.

Structural corrosion has always been an issue with older vehicles especially those coming out of the UK.

The costs to repair these vehicles to bring them up to the required standards can be huge.