Hi All, Just bought my first mini truck its a 96 Carry and I love it! I bought it from the second US owner and it came with a title. I have registered it and it is on the road. My question is I am thinking about purchasing a newer model with fuel injection and am wondering how/if I can go about getting it titled for the road. I have done some searching but don't seem to see and black and white info on the matter. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Shawn
the 25 year rule import stuff is well covered here if you do a bit of searching. anything newer than 25 years old would have to meet your state's specific kei truck laws if there are any in order to get some sort of restricted registration. 25+ years old and proper import paperwork is the way to go if you want a general use vehicle without restrictions.
I appreciate your reply. I have done some research and also searched the site, but I must confess I was not clear. Over 25 and no issue. What about the under 25 year vehicles?
If you already have a 1996 and it is titled (and presumably registered for on-road use because sometimes those are different) and you want a newer model you shouldn't have too many problems since the 1996 is less than 25 years old. I also recall reading somewhere on here that 25+ years old have less problems, but then there is another threshold, like 15-20 years(?) that they have to be older than too.
Ask for a bill of sale from the broker with a vin on it that helped mine go through dmv said a lot of scams on imports right now.over kill paperwork is your friend.
FEDERALLY a vehicle must be 25 years old or older to be imported as an on road motor vehicle according to DOT specification. FEDERALLY a vehicle must be 21 years old or older to be EPA EXEMPT. A 1996 legally could only come accross as an off road vehicle. Yours is already a black market truck according to federal law. Your state may or may not have exemptions for mini trucks/ UTV's but I do not think Mass does.. Since yours looks just like a 25 year old truck. I wouldn't worry about it too much.. I did however nearly buy a mint 1996 with fudged paperwork listing it as a 1992. I didn't know until I ran the chassis number through Japan If you just use it as an offroader/ commuter. I might suggest importing a Jimny. Same 660cc engine but fuel injection, straight axle front end, seats that actually adjust and best of all parts are available. The Jimny came to the USA as the Samurai with a different motor/ trans and stuff to make it look wider than it is
Bottom line on this in MA... If you have a title from MA or another state, you are totally road legal. I did it today at the Easthampton Registry with a NC Title (Mayberry Mini Trucks.com). You can also do it with the inportation paperwok as long as you have it translated and notarized (can be done on-line for about $50) and have the proper documents. Took about 15 minutes and I left with valid registration and plates. Obviously this was a 25 year old exempt vehicle.
Your saying in ma you legally registers a mini truck to be driven on ma roads?? From the research I’ve done they aren’t allowed in the roads in ma?
I’m looking for a mini truck for a around town type commuter for ma. But my research says it’s not allowed. Any help?
Yeah, your research is flawed. I bought in NY a fresh import untitled yet in the states 94 zuki and registered it in mass with relative ease.
99.5% of the information you will find on a " Mini Truck " for any state suggests that they are not legal.. That is because of the masses that were imported for farm/ agricultural uses in years prior.. One brought over as an exempt motor vehicle according to the HS7 document will be legal in most any state.. California will be a hangup due to emissions ( 1976 or older Kei truck is exempt, but completely useless ) and some states reject them at " Mini Truck " not understanding they are federally exempt and not imported as " Mini Trucks " and thus exempt from "Mini Truck Laws"
Drewster you are incorrect...many mini trucks driving legally in MA. I know folks who did it with a title from another state (like I did) and also folks who had all the correct import paperwork and did it that way. make sure any bill of sale says pickup truck...no mention of mini. I registered mine at the Easthampton Registry and the guy I know who did it with the import paperwork did it at the Greenfield Registry
And for additional point of refference, i titled/registered through Revere and my buddy did it through Wilmington in February of this year. And I'll echo previous comment, "mini-trucks" are often not legal. A "Mini-Truck" is a small vehicle not necessarily with the equipment to pass a MA inspection, that is supposed to be speed limited. This would be anything younger than 25 yrs old as well. On the otherhand, which can be registered in ME and in NH as a limited use restricted to 100 miles ME and restricted to 25 miles in NH from the address of registration. It would also need to stay off state routes posted greater than ...35(?) . What im getting at is as Matt167 and 509er have said, MA does not allow "mini-trucks" but does allow old little trucks. Go through someone like Maybury who i believe titles the vehicles first before sale to you, Bokei in North Jersey who seems to sell a TON of these, C and M trailer near Concord NH who has sold at least a dozen to MA residents for road use (his count) or Catskill Minitruck LLC in Walton NY who sold me and my buddy ours. Both Catskill and C&M I know give the paperwork needed to register legally in MA. Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
I bought my 92 suzuki carry dumper from Mayberry with an NC title. Couldn't have been easier and he delivered it to me PRIOR to paying for it. If I didn't like it when he got here, he would have had to drive it back to NC. Made it a no brainer, I would have been out the delivery charge of $860 but that was a calculated risk. Turns out the truck was just as described and runs great. Highly recommend Mayberry.
Excellent! Have read nothing but good things about them. Seems that they go through the trucks before listing/selling as well and either refresh things that need it or at least clean em up and fix safety things lime maybe tires. Not promising anything but that is what i have read about them.
That is exactly the case w Mayberry. All new fluids and filters, Yokohama super digger tires...everything worked as it should. Tony the owner is a super guy, very customer service oriented
