Importing 1995 Suzuki Jimny (JA11)
Discussion
I'm importing a 1995 Suzuki Jimny from Japan to the UK. It should arrive in early January 2021. Does anyone have any experience with importing a vehicle like this? What modifications/conversions were required to pass the MOT? Am I correct in believing that it will not require an IVA (individual vehicle approval), since it is over 10 years old?
Further info: it's a JA11 type, with a 660c turbo-boost, and automatic transmission. It's never left Japan til now, so while some things are well suited to the UK (right hand drive), some things are not (speedometer is in KPH, and headlights might require modification).
Really appreciate any advice y'all might have!
Further info: it's a JA11 type, with a 660c turbo-boost, and automatic transmission. It's never left Japan til now, so while some things are well suited to the UK (right hand drive), some things are not (speedometer is in KPH, and headlights might require modification).
Really appreciate any advice y'all might have!
Really appreciate the response! Is the rear foglight addition typically the only major required modification?
I have been working with my local Suzuki dealer (near Salisbury, Wiltshire), and they seem confused by my initial inquiry. I don't think they handle many imports. I want to start driving my Jimny soon, so have been trying to educate myself on the process.
I have been working with my local Suzuki dealer (near Salisbury, Wiltshire), and they seem confused by my initial inquiry. I don't think they handle many imports. I want to start driving my Jimny soon, so have been trying to educate myself on the process.
Readers cars thread on one here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19...
The OP may be able to help you.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19...
The OP may be able to help you.
navy_helo_pilot said:
I have been working with my local Suzuki dealer (near Salisbury, Wiltshire), and they seem confused by my initial inquiry. I don't think they handle many imports.
Then don't let them get involved.Main dealer rates are sky high, and they may have never fitted an aftermarket fog light.
As already said, no IVA as it's over 10 years old, just a fog light.
I love the Jimnys, get it wax oiled now if you're planning on keeping it for a few years.
And the thread needs pics.
navy_helo_pilot said:
I'm military, so thankfully I'm not paying for the shipment or customs clearance. But I do have to order and pay for the modifications to make it road legal. I may need to do a wider sweep than just my local dealer to find the right garage to install the foglight....
Just get a local auto electrician to do the foglight, mine was £65 supplied and fitted. All correctly wired into the illumination circuit so it works properly only with lights on.These guys near Winchester do all the electrical work on my JDM cars, never had any problems and work is always to a high standard. They completely redid the fog light on my Crown after the original went kaput. http://www.accutek.co.uk/
Amazing look Suzuki you have
Defo get it undersealed!!
Amazing look Suzuki you have
Defo get it undersealed!! As above. Definitely get it properly undersealed.
And all it will need for mot is fog light.
You maybe able to use a reverse light with a red bulb.
Leave odometer in kms but make sure you tell mot man to put kms down
And either change dial covers to mph , get used to kms or get a cheap head up display for about 10 to give you mph.
Car looks great
And all it will need for mot is fog light.
You maybe able to use a reverse light with a red bulb.
Leave odometer in kms but make sure you tell mot man to put kms down
And either change dial covers to mph , get used to kms or get a cheap head up display for about 10 to give you mph.
Car looks great
Just to echo above
Underseal and rear fog, should be easy to have a fog added into the existing clusters somewhere.
You dont need to do anything to the speedo unless you really want mph, it might be a mechanical converter on the old Jimny or electrical.
Forget any main dealers at all, they wont be interested, this will be seen as a problem out of the norm for them
A few snippets:
1. MOT will be on the chassis number as noted by the above
2. Ensure the MOTer notes the mileage in KMs on the MOT just incase it throws red flags at a later date if changed to miles (although you likely wont be able to on the older Jimny unless you change the whole speedo) - as said above
3. The paperwork from the DVLA will be likely at least 4 weeks and more likely 6 to 8 with current issues
4. Be prepared for the DVLA to send the application back with a question, it happens, and it adds a few more weeks
5. Assume the tyres are junk, pretty much 9 times out of 10 they are cracked and goosed, assume you are buying a set
6. Headlights shouldn't need any modifications
7. Get a JEVIC cert if not already done, just to prove mileage, cheap and worth keeping for whenever you sell on
8. Take your time filling out the form, its not that bad but can be daunting at first, many of the fields dont need filled out
9. Make sure you send the correct fee of tax and registration, it can seem easy to determine but mistakes can be made and the application will be denied if the incorrect cheque value is sent
Underseal and rear fog, should be easy to have a fog added into the existing clusters somewhere.
You dont need to do anything to the speedo unless you really want mph, it might be a mechanical converter on the old Jimny or electrical.
Forget any main dealers at all, they wont be interested, this will be seen as a problem out of the norm for them
A few snippets:
1. MOT will be on the chassis number as noted by the above
2. Ensure the MOTer notes the mileage in KMs on the MOT just incase it throws red flags at a later date if changed to miles (although you likely wont be able to on the older Jimny unless you change the whole speedo) - as said above
3. The paperwork from the DVLA will be likely at least 4 weeks and more likely 6 to 8 with current issues
4. Be prepared for the DVLA to send the application back with a question, it happens, and it adds a few more weeks
5. Assume the tyres are junk, pretty much 9 times out of 10 they are cracked and goosed, assume you are buying a set
6. Headlights shouldn't need any modifications
7. Get a JEVIC cert if not already done, just to prove mileage, cheap and worth keeping for whenever you sell on
8. Take your time filling out the form, its not that bad but can be daunting at first, many of the fields dont need filled out
9. Make sure you send the correct fee of tax and registration, it can seem easy to determine but mistakes can be made and the application will be denied if the incorrect cheque value is sent
Edited by Axeboy on Wednesday 30th December 13:37
Thanks all for the great advice!
As long as there were no issues with the shipment, it should still be in great condition. I bought it in early 2020, from a great dealer who really knows his stuff. Had brand new tires, new leather seating, new brake pads, new hardtop, new battery. It drove perfectly all summer long, and then my dealer gave it a thorough inspection before shipping in August, so fingers crossed it's still in the same condition.
I think I'm all set on the registration process. I get a lot of assistance from the local USAF/RAF base registration folks.
Thank you TommoAE86 for the recommendation in Winchester, that's really helpful! Anyone have recommendations for a specific type of rear foglight?
As long as there were no issues with the shipment, it should still be in great condition. I bought it in early 2020, from a great dealer who really knows his stuff. Had brand new tires, new leather seating, new brake pads, new hardtop, new battery. It drove perfectly all summer long, and then my dealer gave it a thorough inspection before shipping in August, so fingers crossed it's still in the same condition.
I think I'm all set on the registration process. I get a lot of assistance from the local USAF/RAF base registration folks.
Thank you TommoAE86 for the recommendation in Winchester, that's really helpful! Anyone have recommendations for a specific type of rear foglight?
Youve got two reverse bulbs, a garage should be able to change one to a fog light with a switch and a red bulb
Something along the lines of this: https://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=...
Im not a fan personally of the bolt on fog light but it would be easy and wont look too out of place due to the low and boxy lights on the Jimny
Something along the lines of this: https://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=...
Im not a fan personally of the bolt on fog light but it would be easy and wont look too out of place due to the low and boxy lights on the Jimny
The above is what I've done with the Crown - 1 reverse light removed and a fog in it's place, I was annoying and wanted a red bulb so I didn't have mismatching lenses :lol: Anyway accutek wired it up to the switch on my dash using the existing wiring in the car rather than cheaply adding more stuff, it was especially good as my lights are on the boot.
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