Importing a Nismo

[Jerry Can]

I am currently in the process of working out how I can import a Nismo Note S from Japan. ( Yes I know, it is an unusual choice but I love the looks, and if I can successfully import it, it will be the only one in the country, and I also through my work, have extensive contacts for its ongoing maintenance). For what it will ultimately cost me, I can probably get a reasonably late plate Clio 197, or Fiesta ST - but good though those cars are, I just not inspired by them.

The car in question is easily available in Japan through the dealer network, and occasionally turn up at auction.

However having contacted a couple of Importers it appears that it may be impossible to import the car until it is over 10 years old due to it being a Nismo, special build version. Even though Nismo's are factory cars. ( the cars I am looking at are around 4 years old)

I've done a bit of reading of the IVA process and I think it should cover the specification of this car and allow it to achieve its CoC for the UK. It will be a bit of a PITA over an older car but not impossible I think.

Can anyone shed any light on this.?Or at least clarify ( as I am not really clear) what difference a specialist manufacturer's tuning house would have on the ability to import a standard car.

FWIW I was also told that you can't import Mugen's or STI's from Japan unless over 10 years old.

[SidewaysSi]

Can't help on the specifics but I would give someone like Torque GT a call if not done already.

[Jerry Can]

I have done, they were the ones that raised the concern. Just wondering if any one else had tired to import a Nismo, Mugen or similar <10 years old, and if they had any problems.

[D_G]

The dereg doc needs the TDN numbers on it, if they are missing then the car can't be IVA'd under the comparable standards regs.
If the dereg doc has the TDN numbers then no problem.

[Jerry Can]

D_G said:

The dereg doc needs the TDN numbers on it, if they are missing then the car can't be IVA'd under the comparable standards regs.
If the dereg doc has the TDN numbers then no problem.

excellent reply, my knowledge has improved. BUT what is a TDN?

edited to add

quick google shows its a type designation number. Or certificate of approval. They do sell these cars in places like Indonesia and Thailand, so maybe ok? Torque Gt are finding out for me.

Edited by Jerry Can on Monday 29th April 21:19

[D_G]

TDN is type designation number, basically there are two numbers on the dereg in two boxes under 'classification' and 'specification'. If the car is modified then the car can lose these numbers, if so the IVA can't be applied for as these numbers are used to prove the comparable standards.

[SnowStar]

Can you elaborate a little on what appeals about this car?

[Fastdruid]

D_G said:

TDN is type designation number, basically there are two numbers on the dereg in two boxes under 'classification' and 'specification'. If the car is modified then the car can lose these numbers, if so the IVA can't be applied for as these numbers are used to prove the comparable standards.

Surely though it only needs those so that it can be accepted as being "comparable" and gets a technical pass rather than an inspection, without them it would be the same as any other modified car/kit car, it can just go through a full IVA inspection (I've not checked but I'd presume it would however cost more).

[Jerry Can]

SnowStar said:

Can you elaborate a little on what appeals about this car?

In a word rarity! But also it's a normally aspirated 16v hot hatch, with 140 brake, 8.3s to 60, and well equipped. It's not particularly cheap, and there are better cars out there I am sure, but most modern hot hatches are turbo's and this isn't. I suspect it's probably a 3* out of 5* type of car, but the rarity IMHO give it another star. It also looks cool.

[SAS Tom]

That looks horrific!

[Jerry Can]

SAS Tom said:

That looks horrific!

each to his own

[832ark]

I’m not even sure I’d describe it as a warm hatch let alone a hot one!

[Truckosaurus]

Good luck with the importing, always good to see someone doing something different.

If the Note had the Juke/Clio turbo 1.6 engine it would be a much better proposition, but I can see the appeal of an N/A warm hatch.

[Vaud]

Jerry Can said:

each to his own

Sounds fun and nice to have something "unique" (on these roads)... good luck...

[GregK2]

Would love to see one of these on the roads! Ignore the "I don't like something and feel compelled to let you know it" brigade, best of luck.

[Jerry Can]

GregK2 said:

Would love to see one of these on the roads! Ignore the "I don't like something and feel compelled to let you know it" brigade, best of luck.

thanks! that my feeling as well. It's looks are challenging though, but I still would.

[AlexRS2782]

GregK2 said:

Would love to see one of these on the roads! Ignore the "I don't like something and feel compelled to let you know it" brigade, best of luck.

Yeah fair play to the OP. It's certainly something different on the road over here and the Note seems to look pretty good in Nismo form tbh.

[D_G]

Fastdruid said:

Surely though it only needs those so that it can be accepted as being "comparable" and gets a technical pass rather than an inspection, without them it would be the same as any other modified car/kit car, it can just go through a full IVA inspection (I've not checked but I'd presume it would however cost more).

Nope. There is no such thing as a 'technical pass', it's not like a EU import and the VCA mutual recognition scheme. All cars get inspected but this won't get approved to happen with a car with no TDN. You can get model report passes for the relevent missing approvals which would be much more than the car is worth plus months and months of time.

[anonymous-user]

Can’t really help on importing, but I love the looks of the Nismo Note, good luck!

[biggbn]

Cracking sounding wee buzz bomb, good luck