[MrMetabolism]

Hi guys,

First post...

I'm looking at buying a second hand Jimny (2002). The thing's quite cheap, hence my interest. Haven't had a chance to go and look at it yet, but I've had a quick chat to the seller, during which he said that it uses a bit of water (most likely head gasket I'm thinking). Wasn't super concerned by that, as I was considering dropping an M15A in it given they're cheap and would give a bit more power/torque. Anyway, I also got the VIN and when I checked it out, the engine number is listed as M16A*******. I would assume this means its got an M16A engine in it? I'll have to check it out with the seller first obviously, but would I need a copy of engineering certificates or anything if it did have the 1.6 engine? Or should there be a compliance plate somewhere?

Second, rego expired on it on Saturday so will need re-registering. It has a 2" lift and possibly a set of 215/70R15 tyres on it, could this potentially offer any issues when it comes to getting a safety certificate?

Cheers.

[303zuke]

Firstly, where are you? The various States differ with regard to registering a vehicle with modifications.

The online registers can have errors with regards to engine and even chassis numbers. An actual inpection of the vehicle and the expired rego papers will identify the actual engine fitted. If the engine has been changed, it may not be necessary to have an Engineer's Certificate to re-register the car, depending which state you are in. In NSW, to re-establish registration, you have 3 months after expiry to provide a Pink Slip and pay the rego. The car cannot be driven on roads until it has been re-done, but it can be registered with the modified engine number recorded. This is a bit of an anomaly, as the rules say the increased capacity engine MUST be certified by an engineer, but this is not an impediment to getting rego!?!

If you try to re-rego the car after the rego has lapsed 3 mths, a Blue Slip inspection will be necessary, and this could be refused if an Engineer's Certificate is not supplied for the engine change.

Other States will almost certainly differ from NSW, as we still don't have anywhere near a common approach to registering modified vehicles across the country yet.

[303zuke]

Forgot to add, if you are the Buyer, you could use the excuse to the Seller that "the vehicle will present many difficulties in being registered in the circumstances, and would he further reduce the price?"

[MrMetabolism]

Thanks Zuke.

I'm in QLD. I might need to have a bit of a closer look at registration if the engine's been changed. I know that even if it was still registered, it would need a safety certificate in order for the rego to be transferred. I don't imagine a safety certificate would look at whether an engine was swapped though.

[Scrawny]

Yes, it will. Get a hold of the last rego papers and check engine number against that, if they're different you will need to change it over while registering at Qld Transport. They may or may not want to check the car, they didn't when I did mine. The upgrade will probably need a mod plate tho

[Scrawny]

No such thing as an M16 either, it'll be either G13 or M13 if it's standard

[303zuke]

Scrawn wrote:

No such thing as an M16 either, it'll be either G13 or M13 if it's standard

2002 Jimny should be the M13A, but Suzuki did make an M16A. Came out in SWB NGV, Liana and a sportier version in the Swift Sport.