VIA addresses motorhome worries

The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is offering advice to dealers and importers following concerns about motorhomes coming into the country.

VIA has been approached by the NZ Motorhome Caravan Association (NZMCA), which notes over the past decade there has been substantial growth in the registration of motorhomes.

The NZMCA says there have been close to 50,000 units shipped into New Zealand with the majority imported from Europe and the UK.

It is concerned most of these vehicles are based on a van chassis with a secondary manufactured caravan body attached. Many have a tare weight close to 3,500kg but are imported with a 3,500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) plate affixed by the secondary manufacturer and the latter is used for registration purposes in NZ. 

VIA, in its alert to members on August 18, notes that often the vehicle manufacturer’s GVM is higher.

“Some customers see advantages of being registered as a light vehicle in NZ and running on a warrant of fitness (WOF),” says a VIA statement. “However, this often leaves the purchaser with a ridiculously low payload, sometimes hardly enough for two passengers, let alone fuel, water, food and clothing or associated camping equipment, bicycles etc. which could be construed as ‘not fit-for-purpose’ under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA).

“Many dealers are not pointing this out to purchasers who are often inexperienced in these areas and only see the benefits of longer-term inspections and less stringent regulations.”

VIA recommends dealers and private importers apply to the NZTA for a chassis rating for the vehicle before putting it through for compliance, especially if the primary manufacturer’s GVM is higher than that given by the secondary manufacturer. Application forms can be found here.

“We understand many of the vehicles with lower GVMs have been imported at the behest of the customer who only wants a WOF and not the perceived hassle the certificate of fitness (COF) regime brings with LT400 certification and six-monthly inspections,” VIA explains.

“We also advise importers to have all recalls on vehicles purchased overseas actioned and closed out before export as the CGA defines the importer as the ‘manufacturer’. Motor Industry Association members will not action any recalls on these vehicles unless they are paid for by the importer or owner.”

To read the MIA used vehicle recall code of conduct, click here.