I just purchased a very low mileage 2000 XK8 Coupe. It has been in the U.S. since new. It has all the requisite stickers demonstrating it meets all U.S. & California emissions and other standards, etc. This was duly noted by the California DMV inspector on the VIN check sheet that occurs whenever an out-of-state vehicle is first registered in California. When I went back into the DMV office to finish registration, I was told that it was a "grey market" vehicle and that my application had to go to Sacramento DMV HQ for approval. I know what grey market means, but why is this particular vehicle still considered grey market? Anyone know? Thanks in advance for any clarity

 

Did you not ask the DMV staff for an explanation?

 

They had no clue.

 

If the car was imported by anyone other than JAGUAR NORTH AMERICA, my guess it is considered a 'grey-market' car.

 

Don't know. Manufactured on 11/1/1999, titled in U.S. 1/14/2000 according to Carfax

 

Something in the VIN sequence that aroused the attention of the DMV?

Graham

 

I assumed that might be a possibility, but I couldn't find any decoders that would provide that specific information. On one, there was an ID of the car as "USA" and as I said in my original posting, it has all the bells & whistles to make it U.S. & CA compliant: pollution controls, safety features and the like

 

Maybe this one transited Cuba for December joyriding.

​​​​​​https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ped-uk-234148/ (see message #3).

 

Nah, they would have stripped it for parts to keep the '57 Chevys operating.

 

Not related but you're a lucky man, any details on the car? Millage, color, etc.?

Enjoy,
Jacob

 

Gold/bronze color. Only 15K on the odometer when I bought it. Owned by the classic "little old lady" who passed away. Bought it from the estate. Looks almost new. Squeaky clean Carfax. Prior owner already changed out the tensioners, water pump, etc. Factory chrome wheels. Pics in a few days

 

Maybe 'Rogue DMV' agent. Can you try another office??

 

Too late. Checked with her supervisor as well. Documents already went to Sacramento. I do have a 30-day tag for it at the moment. Plenty of these in CA, so I don't understand it.

 

Gotta love the bureaucracy. Good luck.

 

Is California still part of the USA? Many there think not so that'd make it gray market.