If you are looking to import a Land Rover Defender 110 or 90, Look No Further
Here's how bringing Land Rover Defenders into the US breaks down. You can only import a vehicle to the United States that is
- over 25 years old
- or on the NHTSA import list
1984, 1985 and 1986 Land Rover Defenders
If you are targeting Land Rover Defenders that are 25 years or older, the first 1984 and 1985 and 1986 110 Defenders are now successfully being brought into the United States. You'll still need to bring the vehicle in through a Registered Importer, but no EPA or DOT certification is required.
If it's the latter, you are in for some major PITA. It'll need to be brought in through a Registered Importer and readed for EPA and DOT certification. That means modifications and that means cash. Lots of it.
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The Landrover defender 110 NAS. You can has, for a price. Image wikipedia.org
A landrover 120 diesel You no can has. Image wikipedia.org |
So you are looking at a land rover defender 90 or 110 for sale, and you want to know if it's legal?
You'll need to open the drivers door and look for the NHTSA/DOT plate that reads: "This vehicle conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Safty Standards, blah blah blah." If you don't see that, you need to call the DOT with the VIN.
The best resource for information on Land Rover imports
A company called East Coast Rovers builds Land Rover Defenders, Series, Discovery I and IIs for action. They've also been importing older rovers for a long time. They are very free with information they've gained in the process.
Read the rest of what they have to say about importing a defender.
FAQs
Why doesn't Land Rover sell the Defender in the US?
Because in 1998 regulations requiring air bags and side impact standards went into affect. Land Rover decided they couldn't upgrade the Defender to meet those requirements.
Were there any tdi or td5 diesel Defenders imported into the United States?
No all Defenders legaly imported into the united states were 3.9L v8s or 4.0L v8s.
Only 535 Defender 110s were imported into the US.
They were all white.
They are all badass.