My VE wagon came pre delivered with 20" supersports... i know exactly what's up with this.
Purely from a safety point of view, there's absolutely no reason why the 20" supersports arent listed as a legitimate option on the sportwagon. The VE ute is a heavier vehicle, yet the ute allows the Supersports in 20" on problem.
Also, I still have a sales pamphlet from when I bought my car showing a a Sportwagon kitted out with 20" Supersports... was a definite selling point when deciding on the Sportwagon in the first place. Anyway, after receiving delivery I noticed this very issue.... the standard tyre placard makes the 20" supersports illegal with the bridgestone potenzas supplied. Obviously, I was a little miffed at driving around in a car delivered to me brand new with a road registration- but not roadworthy.
So to answer to your question, NO... you arent covered by insurance. And this is exactly what I said to Customer Care over the phone, expressing my displeasure in being sold a car fitted with genuine dealer options but still not road worthy and therefore no valid insurance protecting me and my family. They informed me that the selling dealer, when fitting the optional 20" Supersports, needs to remove the old placard and reinstall a new one prior to delivery (which obviously didnt occur).
Now, looking at Ebay and everywhere else, it appears that every man and his dog is selling new placards for VE's... but here's the crunch, it's illegal to tamper/change the tyre placard yourself. The only people authorised to change placards is the selling dealer or a certified engineer.
Solution?
A paperwork trail showing that at no stage did you yourself fit the new placard. You'll need this if the insurer sees the new placard in place of the old one, and queries it further.
After a phone call to Holden Customer Care, they suggested I contact the selling dealer to get the issue rectified. And I did so... via email.
I confirmed what Customer Care had told me (that dealer shouldnt have delivered car without changing the old placard first), and confirmed a day and time for THE DEALER to fit new placard... via email.
I've got the sales pamphlet showing the wagon with 20" supersports, the sales invoice showing they were fitted pre-delivery, and the emails showing new placard fitted by dealer (at no charge of course!).
What the dealer is saying to you "at your request" is that they are basically trying to wriggle out of the BIG responsibility in selling you a car with dealer fitted parts that ISNT roadworthy. No good!
Unless you can get them to install tyre placard and wheels themselves pre delivery, AND give you evidence that occurred (and that you didnt just do it later on), it's just not worth the risk. Either pull out of sale for this reason, or be happy with no 20" Supersports.
I still think it's silly that they dont just specify the 20" fitment in the standard placard, but hey what can you do. Load rating is all about weight. The 20" supersports are fitted to other VE bodyshapes that are heavier than the Sportwagon no worries, so why they cant be fitted on the Sportwagon straight up is beyond me.
What's even more puzzling is the part is readily available through spare parts to rectify the issue entirely.
When they "look into it" for you, maybe give them a helping hand and quote GM# 92244828. It might help them find the right item quicker, and they can then install it for you.
BUT carefully check predelivery documentation prior to signing car over. Those Supersports better be legally fitted on the car, otherwise dont accept it.
