[GTmini]

Do any of you know exactly what paperwork is needed or the exact process to go through so that my out-of-state dealer (a Texas dealer, in my case) can take care of my CA registration and tax? I know someone mentioned that their dealer in NY knew exactly what to do, but it doesn't seem like my dealer currently knows how to handle that.

I'd love to be able to pay for and pick up my car once it's in and have that be the end of my buying process (or perhaps "saga" would be a better word for most MINI purchases)

I also don't want to have to smog check a brand new vehicle and hang out at the DMV if I can avoid it. I haven't physically been to the DMV in years, but the horror never seems to fade...

[BillK]

Here are some links to the California DMV site:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

And

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm#BM2561

And they also say:

What should a California resident look for when buying a new vehicle from another state?

California residents are prohibited from importing, purchasing, or leasing a new vehicle from another state, unless the vehicle was manufactured for sale in California and the Environmental Protection Agency label certifies the vehicle has California Smog equipment. California considers a new vehicle to be any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time it is purchased or aquired.

For more information, please call DMV at 1-800-777-0133.

Any US Spec. MINI probably meets the CA requirements, but be sure you check.

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by BillK
Here are some links to the California DMV site:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

And

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm#BM2561

And they also say:

What should a California resident look for when buying a new vehicle from another state?

California residents are prohibited from importing, purchasing, or leasing a new vehicle from another state, unless the vehicle was manufactured for sale in California and the Environmental Protection Agency label certifies the vehicle has California Smog equipment. California considers a new vehicle to be any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time it is purchased or aquired.

For more information, please call DMV at 1-800-777-0133.

Any US Spec. MINI probably meets the CA requirements, but be sure you check.

All US MINI's meet CA requirements, its on the Window Sticker, your TX dealer should be able to verify this.

[BillK]

Quote:

Originally posted by stryder
All US MINI's meet CA requirements, its on the Window Sticker, your TX dealer should be able to verify this.

Thanks Stryder. I thought that was the case, but I was not sure.

[ches]

I went through this process and it's not too bad. My car came from Kansas City. You might find this thread useful.

Basically, you'll need to bring the car to a DMV office (not AAA) for an inspection. You may need an appointment for this. You'll also need

1) a Bill of Sale. Use the current DMV form! Trust me, using the official DMV form will save you a *lot* of headaches!

2) The "certificate of origin" for the car. It's like your MINI's birth certificate. This form documents, among other things, that your MINI is California-legal. (All MINIs sold in the US can be registered in all 50 states). They will look at this form and compare the VIN to your winshield and door piller.

3) If you paid sales tax in the state where the car was originally purchased, you will need to provide documentation for this, otherwise you'll be double-taxed on this amount (my original posting on the thread linked above was incorrect on this point).

Congrats on your new MINI. Enjoy!