Bit of a rant here!

So I bought my 96 960 Wagon from LA a couple months ago.. Finally got it across the border and I'm getting it ready for the usual inspections. Keep in mind this is the 7th vehicle I have been a part of importing (5 of them were mine).

I'm calling around to get my compliance letter, and it turns out as of Jan 1st 2008, Volvo throws in their OWN inspection that they charger for.

So when you import a volvo you now have THREE inspections, Federal, Provincial and a Volvos inspection.

I really doubt that little step will increase Canadian sales.. for those that import, they'll probably just import something else instead. I never had a problem getting my Lexus inspected last month, and last week I delt with my friends 95 Supra TT... no problems there either.

Little stuff like this would make me go buy a 08 Corolla insteald of a C30 or something for my girlfriend. /rant

P.S. (and I know the toyota would be reliable )

Unreal!!!
This is a common issue when importing a Volvo.
http://www.carswithoutborders.com/2008/ ... ssibility/

Wow.. interesting read.

I'm willing to bet there is a way around this. Volvo just sounds way out in left feild. The guy I talked to from Volvo North America thought it was a joke, and said he wouldn't be surprised to see it change.

If I can get the form sent to me, that's all I need. I'll go to Canadian tire and they'll get the rest finished for me just like before.

To me Volvo is shooting themselves in the foot. There is no way I'd suggest to anyone that they buy a volvo.. unless it's an older 240 or something. I'd never recommend a newer volvo.

This is only for cars under 15 years, that have to come in through the RIV program, right Geoff? My '88 is exempt I hope!!!

Correct- cars over 15 years old don't need federal inspection therefore no clearance letter.

BMW has been pulling this scam for months now- they charge upwards of $1500 for the "inspection" (I've heard higher depending on the dealer) and with the lovely monopoly in Calgary, both dealers will book you at least 2 months out for the "inspection".

Yup.. you're in the clear! Provincial inspection and you are laughing .

A shame otherwise though.. there are alot of good deals on newish volvos in the states!

Crap. I was sort of hoping that I could stop working on the damn thing and ship it back to the US, like I had an excuse! Oh well, now I've got to finish it I guess.

The volvo inspection is $2000 bucks on the nose. Have fun

$2,000 for a ~2.5 hours inspection on a brand new car where they just turn on the DRL?



For that price, I expect to be served by the same mechanics than Ferrari's F1 team!

What a bunch of arrogant dickheads... Global market is only good when it's good for the companies, eh?

For what?

damn....looks like I won't be gettin any cars from the states anytime soon

wait, how do they regulate this though??? how is it 'necessary' to get this Volvo inspection? srsly!

It's mandatory that you get a statement saying that all recalls have been done to the car that apply, and that the car is eligable for importation to Canada, and it must be on Volvo (or BMW, or whoever the mfr is) letterhead.

When Roberta and I brought the 850 into the country a few years ago, it was free. All you had to do was provide the VIN and they'd mail you a letter from Volvo Canada.

Clearly Volvo Canada is GOUGING us for the cars (hell, if you can save 20 grand on an 08 XC90 in the US, I'd call that a gouge) and if they can't get you for the car, they're going to GOUGE you for the formerly free letter.

And like anyone in Calgary has a choice: you buy an '08 XC90 and who are you going to get to do the service? Umm, Valentine? What a charming way to start off a relationship with a customer... "Okay sir, thanks for buying one of our cars, but because you didn't pay the $20,000 we were expecting so we could line someone's pocket, we're going to need you to pay $2000 up front to get this piece of paper that allows you to import your car. What's that? You already paid for it and paid for the shipping to get it up here so selling it is not an option? That's too bad... You've owned the car for a year and you're just moving up here for work? Welcome to Canada! You're buying a 13 year old used car because that's all you can afford? That'll teach you!"

I'm glad I screwed Julie Wyman on Ted Valentine's bed. Twice.

Whoa there big fella...too much information (and I don't even know Julie Wyman ) I think the answer is to take a look at your previous letter and see what it says, then make up some fancy letterhead that matches said letter that says everyting is OK (forgery isn't a crime, is it?) and submitt the letter.

I've got my doubts that anyone looks all that closely at the letter, and it isn't a governement regulation that the car be inspected by Volvo for your federal or OP inspection. If that doesn't work, contact your MP.

I got my letter from Volvo Cars of North America this morning..

Says it compys with all Canadian Emission and Safety standards, and that there is no open recalls.

I've spent alot of time on the phone with different people however. One lady in Alberta tried to tell me about the inspection.. Tried to tell me I had to forward my information to her. The saskatchewan dealer said nothing about it.

I'm skipping all the Volvo BS and going straight to RIV with my concerns. Hopefully I'm getting my RIV papers in the mail soon. Then after the Can tire federal inspection... i'm done.

If you have the recall letter, that's all RIV *should* need, and they can actually email you the form two that you take to crappy tire- and crappy tire don't care about nuttin! They didn't even make us put on the KPH stickers on the last vehicle we got that had MPH only on the speedo.