Lots of incorrect information that will bite you in he ass here in CA.
Yes there are always "ways" around the rules. Some actually quite legit such as the DMV employee incorrectly filling out the vin verification form.......however if you are looking for information to base the purchase of a vehicle on, I would go for the facts.
#1 - Currently if the Unimog is a 1979 or older model year diesel, it is legal to put on the road in CA.
#2 - If the vehicle is currently CA titled and Registered and HAS BEEN IN THE SYSTEM WITH A TITLE FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS, you are PROBABLY good to go.
#3 - If the vehicle has been issued an SF97 by the Federal Government, it more than likely will go on the road. We personally have done 2-3 of these recently, but also dealt with a customer who had his bounced as well.
#4 - If the Unimog has a Federal EPA certification label on the Valve Cover, it should be accepted.
In reality, a vast majority of the Unimogs in the United States fall under the "Used Direct Import Vehicle" ie gray market. A gray market diesel Unimog is not likely to be registered in CA as it has not had an EPA or CARB certification. Carefully read the CA Vin Verification Form. Specifically look at sections 6 and 8 on the Reg 31 form. Based upon how those sections are filled out will either send your truck to CARB **** or they will be incorrectly filled out and make it thru the review/issue stage at DMV. If it does make it thru, wait at least 6 months prior to popping a cold one, as it can take at least that long for DMV/CARB to coordinate and send the letter revoking your title/registration.
Standard diesel smog does NOT MEAN JACK......the information put out is not intended to apply to Used Direct Import Vehicles. If you want good night time reading dig into the CA health and safety codes that regulate grey market vehicles.
More big picture info here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/master_faqs/vehicle_faqs/greymarket_cars_faq.htm
scroll down to the exemptions section for the diesel info.
We are a licensed and bonded CA Vehicle Dealer in the Bay Area since 2001 with approximately 100K in CARB litigation in regards to Unimogs and Pinzgauers. Bottom line, they do not want these vehicles on the road in CA. We had some fun importing a Unimog for a CA Celebrity/Politician.......if anyone could have gamed the system it was him......we titled and registered the Unimog to a ranch in Idaho. Looked nice running around Malibu with those Idaho plates!
A majority of the newer Unimogs on the road in CA, are currently running out of state plates and tags. That comes with it's own ramifications......but a Montana vehicle LLC is one option we are seeing a LOT of recently.
Cheers,
Scott
