COMPLIANT IMPORTSAdd to that figure 150 imports that were granted a compliance plates by the Federal Government and issued from a Western Australia and Queensland Organisations. It is generally thought that around double that number were actually issued. Most of these MR2s were Turbo models and a few were automatic.
15 YEAR RULE AS AT 2003
Most MR2s imported under the 15 year rule were AW11 NA and SC models. The actual number is not known, but thought to be around 300. More recently however, there have been a rash of imported SW20 mostly Turbos that were manufactured prior to July 1991, providing it was purchased prior to 7th February 2005. Payment evidence must be supplied. This can be done through some importers up to the end of 2005. This fifteen year rule is now finished. At present (2005) the fifteen year rule is now a seventeen year rule, and will remain at 1988 and older for at least the next thirteen years (2018) when it will become a thirty year rule.
PRIVATE IMPORTSIt is not known how many MR2s entered Australia under the private import rule, but the various State Branches are aware of a few. To qualify as a Private Import, the MR2 must have been owned by you for at least 12 months in an overseas country.
RE-BIRTHED MR2sBelieve it or not there have been a few re-birthed MR2. This is when an MR2 is imported and the VIN and Compliance Plate from a wrecked Aussie Delivered MR2 is swapped over. This practice is Illegal and should not be condoned.
UP_GRADE MR2sAlthough not increasing the number of MR2s in Australia up-grades are out there. This is when an NA 1991 MR2 (for example) goes through a Turbo engine transplant. Spoiler and tail lights are up-dated to a 1999. When purchasing an MR2 be careful and check the compliance plate carefully.