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The USA Mini video from 2014 appears to have recently been re-issued with commentary....

Illegal Imported Mini Cooper Gets Crushed (2014) :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt6ySYMYT90

CBP Destroys Illegally-Imported Land Rover:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM_SE5O28pM

I don't know exactly the Story behind it, but in my opinion if they really wanted to sort out the real identity of this Car, they could have done it.

At least they could sell it for Parts.

It's just another prove that authorities are not smart enough to think in the real world... ( i am working at an authortiy establishment...)

The story is they weren’t allowed to bring cars to the US that are less than 25 years old. So mini and land rover importers would attach an old ID plate to a newer body and sell it as an old model. There used to many spi and mpi minis titled as 1960-1980 models to get them through

However, the authorities would catch them out and find these and stop them getting through

Crushing them is supposed to send a message to the dodgy importers, hopefully the unlucky buyer isn’t the one out of pocket

It's a scam that has been going on for years & years. Not only does it involve "honest" cars that have had their identities switched to circumvent the 25 year rule in the States, but there are also undoubtedly cars that have been stolen & exported with a false identity.

As far as I am concerned, the best thing they can do is crush these, hopefully, it will act as a deterrent to the criminals who are profiting from this illegal trade.

This is a topic that has been on my mind for a while. Compared to the number of cars I have bought; I have sold very few over the years. It won't be long before all classic minis are 25 years old. Here in Virginia USA roughly 20 years ago the state DMV sent letters to classic mini owners with cars that were currently registered and being driven. I didn't reply and got a phone call asking if I'd like to meet a state trooper at local DMV or would it be better for them to send a wrecker to bring the car in? I met with the trooper and was ask where my vin plate was. I explained the car had suffered damage and had the front end rebuilt. I offered that it may have been lost during repairs. She took my title went inside and returned with a new title. Only issue it was a salvage/reconstruction title.
I don't follow bring a trailer, but I suspect there are a load of cars being offered with bogus titles. It would be nice if once they come of age, they could have their paperwork sorted out. Steve (CTR)

They ought to start doing this here, the number of 1990’s cars lying about their age is ridiculous.

I wonder if any cars over here will get crushed that have been built from logbooks of other cars previously exported!?

Would be nice to think so

CBP and state governments have moved on to targeting Kei vehicles. Minis and Land Rovers are so last decade!