Discussion
Link to the ad?
Generally Jap imports are sought after due to their overall condition as lots of Japan doesn't use salt on their roads and their stringent 'MOT' rules means the cars are extremely well looked after
The cars usually come to these shores completely rust free; but they'll also still be fairly 'Japanese' as in their speedo's will be in KM, radios tuned to the Jap frequencies which don't work fully over here etc
But they tend to be a very similar spec to a UK/Euro car; be RHD and look like our cars bar the above
Buying one that has some history and is a 4+ grade is paramount IMO; unless you're after a specific car & project etc
They're generally the same, if not cheaper to insure too; but road tax, depending on the year can be higher, so that needs to be checked too
Generally Jap imports are sought after due to their overall condition as lots of Japan doesn't use salt on their roads and their stringent 'MOT' rules means the cars are extremely well looked after
The cars usually come to these shores completely rust free; but they'll also still be fairly 'Japanese' as in their speedo's will be in KM, radios tuned to the Jap frequencies which don't work fully over here etc
But they tend to be a very similar spec to a UK/Euro car; be RHD and look like our cars bar the above
Buying one that has some history and is a 4+ grade is paramount IMO; unless you're after a specific car & project etc
They're generally the same, if not cheaper to insure too; but road tax, depending on the year can be higher, so that needs to be checked too
What is it? There's a lot of cars that are only sold there and worth having.
If it's already here and registered then easy - some insurers might be a problem but many mainstream ones are OK with them now (mine's with Admiral). Tax is done on pre-2001 rates (before the CO2 bands) so over 1.5l will be £265pa. MOT as usual.
Lots of importers advertise stuff that they have on the way, else if you know what you want then they can find it for you or there are brokers who'll assist with buying and shipping on your behalf. The paperwork to get it registered here isn't onerous.
Main concern would be ones converted to mph / odo in miles but without history, auction sheets, etc. There's a lot of cheap high mileage cars in Japan and a lot of imports here with suspiciously little paperwork. I imported myself via a broker and have loads to back the car up.
If it's already here and registered then easy - some insurers might be a problem but many mainstream ones are OK with them now (mine's with Admiral). Tax is done on pre-2001 rates (before the CO2 bands) so over 1.5l will be £265pa. MOT as usual.
Lots of importers advertise stuff that they have on the way, else if you know what you want then they can find it for you or there are brokers who'll assist with buying and shipping on your behalf. The paperwork to get it registered here isn't onerous.
Main concern would be ones converted to mph / odo in miles but without history, auction sheets, etc. There's a lot of cheap high mileage cars in Japan and a lot of imports here with suspiciously little paperwork. I imported myself via a broker and have loads to back the car up.
Use a reputable broker.
Unless it’s something unusual, look for a car for sale over here that has been imported previously.
I imported a couple of FTO’s years ago when the exchange rate was much more favourable. Insurance can be an issue - especially on stuff that was never officially sold in the uk.
Unless it’s something unusual, look for a car for sale over here that has been imported previously.
I imported a couple of FTO’s years ago when the exchange rate was much more favourable. Insurance can be an issue - especially on stuff that was never officially sold in the uk.
mgsontour said:
Hi all, just seen an advert for a Jap import and obviously cheap, can someone educate me on the subject of buying one? Cheers
I purchased a 2001 plate Subaru Forester 4 years ago as a fresh import from a local dealer. It was absolutely perfect, corrosion free, looking like new underneath.Its been very reliable (touch wood) and insurance appears to be no different. The only problem I've experienced has been with parts due to the fact that its a rare specced S/Tb STi. The parts have been readily available, the difficulty has been trying to determine which part numbers to order.
Depending on which model, the only things I'd recommend is a proper anti corrosion job underneath, and replace all belts and fluids unless the dealer has already done this as they frequently come with little to no useful history.
Knowing make/model/year would be useful.
As said, generally cars first sold in Japan are in better condition, have less rust and lower mileage so can be a good option.
I'm assuming it's already been UK registered, in which case there's not too much to worry about in terms of process.
- Underside should be in better condition (less rusty) - check - & if it's not been undersealed may be worth doing to keep it that way
- Radio may only get Japanese frequencies (Radio 2), unless it's had an adapter put in or head unit replaced.
- Sat nav may be Japan only if fitted.
- Rear foglight will be aftermarket fitment, fine as long as wired properly.
- Speedo may read in km/h or may have been changed
- Odo the same, check reading works out if it's been changed
- May still be limited to 112 mph (180kmh) as all JDM cars are
- Check tyre age / condition, may be old or gone hard from standing in the sun
- Some ppl reckon JDM performance cars need a remap for our fuel, I don't but would use 97+ octane unless sure
- Cars first sold before 1 Jan 2006 won't qualify as Euro 4 for ULEZ etc (whereas some European market cars pre-06 do)
If it went through a Japanese auction before being exported it's worth seeing the details especially the grade, as stated grade 4 is vgc.
As said, generally cars first sold in Japan are in better condition, have less rust and lower mileage so can be a good option.
I'm assuming it's already been UK registered, in which case there's not too much to worry about in terms of process.
- Underside should be in better condition (less rusty) - check - & if it's not been undersealed may be worth doing to keep it that way
- Radio may only get Japanese frequencies (Radio 2), unless it's had an adapter put in or head unit replaced.
- Sat nav may be Japan only if fitted.
- Rear foglight will be aftermarket fitment, fine as long as wired properly.
- Speedo may read in km/h or may have been changed
- Odo the same, check reading works out if it's been changed
- May still be limited to 112 mph (180kmh) as all JDM cars are
- Check tyre age / condition, may be old or gone hard from standing in the sun
- Some ppl reckon JDM performance cars need a remap for our fuel, I don't but would use 97+ octane unless sure
- Cars first sold before 1 Jan 2006 won't qualify as Euro 4 for ULEZ etc (whereas some European market cars pre-06 do)
If it went through a Japanese auction before being exported it's worth seeing the details especially the grade, as stated grade 4 is vgc.
I'm no expert, but I've had an imported Evo, and currently looking to import a Toyota. I think imports are not the bargain they once were, the Yen is stronger now, and most of the desirable models are as high a price over there as they are here.
If they sold the model here, get one of those. If you're after a Jap only model, that's not a hugely sought after car, then you don't have much choice but to import, as itll be a long wait for the very occasional one to pop up got sale over here. If one does, itll likely save you money, but who knows where it's been, inspect well first.
You can get a reasonable deal importing, but the car will generally come from an auction and theres no certainty about what history it'll have. If they have an equivalent car over here from a parent manufacturer, ie: Toyota Crown/Lexus GS, then you should be ok for engine parts and servicing. For model specific stuff like panels, you'll want to get them through something like JesseStreeter.
Many mention the price companies like Torque GT charge, its nothing really, around £700ish from memory, and they provide a decent service and look for decent cars, they wont get it if its crap. Budget £1000 for shipping and dock fees.
But above all, do not underestimate the tax you pay on imports. Often left out of articles, and from peoples stories about how they got a Japanese bargain, is the 20% you pay for the car price, plus shipping, then the 10% of that figure on top.
Keep your eyes open, ask about, and speak to the companies. You'll soon get you're eye in and know what you want and what you're happy spending.
If they sold the model here, get one of those. If you're after a Jap only model, that's not a hugely sought after car, then you don't have much choice but to import, as itll be a long wait for the very occasional one to pop up got sale over here. If one does, itll likely save you money, but who knows where it's been, inspect well first.
You can get a reasonable deal importing, but the car will generally come from an auction and theres no certainty about what history it'll have. If they have an equivalent car over here from a parent manufacturer, ie: Toyota Crown/Lexus GS, then you should be ok for engine parts and servicing. For model specific stuff like panels, you'll want to get them through something like JesseStreeter.
Many mention the price companies like Torque GT charge, its nothing really, around £700ish from memory, and they provide a decent service and look for decent cars, they wont get it if its crap. Budget £1000 for shipping and dock fees.
But above all, do not underestimate the tax you pay on imports. Often left out of articles, and from peoples stories about how they got a Japanese bargain, is the 20% you pay for the car price, plus shipping, then the 10% of that figure on top.
Keep your eyes open, ask about, and speak to the companies. You'll soon get you're eye in and know what you want and what you're happy spending.
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff