Mongol Rally - Vehicles

Vehicles

Participating automobiles are allowed to have an engine displacement of no greater than 1200 cc, although this may be exceeded within reason in exchange for an increased amount of fundraising for charity. Motorbikes with an engine displacement of 125 cc or less are also permitted. Exceptions to this rule "may be considered for vehicles of notable unusualness with high comedy value" and have also been made for vehicles which will be of particular use to Mongolian charities — such as ambulances and fire engines. The Rally's rules have traditionally stipulated that a participating car must "generally be considered to be crap." The choice of vehicles, therefore, is limited to those apparently unsuited to rallying. Seemingly unlikely cars such as the Citroën 2CV, and Fiat 126 were common until the 2009 change instigated by the Mongolian government which calls for cars under ten years old; now the Škoda Felicia and Nissan Micra are amongst the common entrants. Unlikely vehicles that have participated in the rally have included a Bedford Rascal motorhome, an Austin Mini, Daihatsu HiJets, a Morris Minor Traveller and saloon, a Ford Granada hearse and a London Taxi. The best vehicles for the event are low-tech and can be easily fixed by the roadside.

Some of the cars do not make it to Mongolia; they are sold when they break down, or are left behind due to time pressure. They may not be simply abandoned without the participants responsible losing a deposit lodged with the organisers. Previous rally vehicles can now be found operating throughout Central Asia thanks to enterprising local mechanics who have repaired abandoned vehicles.

The organisers make arrangements for the cars to be imported into Mongolia without import duties. From 2004-06 they made use of a standard procedure used by non-profit making organisations, charities, and non-governmental organisations in Mongolia that provides exemption from the most significant taxes levied on older vehicles. Under Mongolian law the importing organisation in Mongolia is then prevented from selling the vehicle for 3 years. Since 2007 the organisers have had a special agreement with the Mongolian government. The cars will be auctioned and the money raised donated to a project as chosen by the drivers of each car.

There are many organisations in Mongolia who are grateful for the vehicles; furthermore, the low cost of labour in Mongolia makes it economical to repair and run old cars that would be scrapped in Europe. Nevertheless, due to the concerns, the organisers of the Rally stipulated in the contract with teams in 2006 that they should not remove components from the car, such as the rear seats, to ensure that the vehicles remain useful and achieve a reasonable return at auction.