Importing a JDM car

[Tony_T]

Does anyone have any advice on buying from a Japanese auction and importing to the UK? Looking to diy as much as possible to save costs but guessing i will need to use a company in Japan to do some paperwork etc. Any recommendations for websites for the auctions etc.

Thanks

[samoht]

I did a write-up of my importing experience, I think most of it is still the same
https://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?342007-Gui...

I bought through JapaneseUsedCars.com, they inspect, bid, buy and export the car from Japan, taking their margin on top for doing so (and was happy with their service). I then collected it from Southampton docks and sorted registration here. I don't have knowledge of any cheaper more DIY methods though.

[Tony_T]

samoht said:

I did a write-up of my importing experience, I think most of it is still the same
https://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?342007-Gui...

I bought through JapaneseUsedCars.com, they inspect, bid, buy and export the car from Japan, taking their margin on top for doing so (and was happy with their service). I then collected it from Southampton docks and sorted registration here. I don't have knowledge of any cheaper more DIY methods though.

Thanks that's a great write up, very helpful.

[UnderSteerD]

Things have changed a little bit now. You now need a NOVA certificate issued before Customs will release the car from the docks.

There are companies who will arrange the clearance for you for a relatively reasonable fee.

[Axeboy]

Yep, shipping agent usually sorts that out for me

Also, you dont need to convert to MPH, KPH can stay

DVLA can take a lot longer now, but its been a year since I done it last

Make sure you give the DVLA the correct fee as tax rates change each year

You dont need insurance to get it registered, but you will do to drive it for the MOT. If you want to collect and drive it from the docks, insure it and put the chassis number on the reg plate place. Otherwise I usually get it transported home and sort anything out before taking any risks.

Shipping rates are more expensive lately, worth keeping in mind

Edited by Axeboy on Friday 29th September 14:39

[Tony_T]

Axeboy said:

Yep, shipping agent usually sorts that out for me

Also, you dont need to convert to MPH, KPH can stay

DVLA can take a lot longer now, but its been a year since I done it last

Make sure you give the DVLA the correct fee as tax rates change each year

You dont need insurance to get it registered, but you will do to drive it for the MOT. If you want to collect and drive it from the docks, insure it and put the chassis number on the reg plate place. Otherwise I usually get it transported home and sort anything out before taking any risks.

Shipping rates are more expensive lately, worth keeping in mind

Edited by Axeboy on Friday 29th September 14:39

Thanks for the info. Still very much in the early stages but seriously looking into it. I'm looking at mk7 gti's which are everywhere in the UK but i reckon i could save about 3k by going the import route.

[Axeboy]

Cool, so just as a headline

You'd be looking for a 2012 to 2014 ideally to keep 10 years and over and avoid the more complex route.

Assuming under 100,000km's and a grade 4 the pricing I see is about 900,000yen.

I use a simple spreadsheet calculator and with that price it comes out approx £8000

[Tony_T]

Axeboy said:

Cool, so just as a headline

You'd be looking for a 2012 to 2014 ideally to keep 10 years and over and avoid the more complex route.

Assuming under 100,000km's and a grade 4 the pricing I see is about 900,000yen.

I use a simple spreadsheet calculator and with that price it comes out approx £8000

Is that for an 'on the road' uk price? If so i'd be very happy. So far only ones i've looked at are fixed price cars on japaneseusedcars.com and these were coming out about 1.6m yen so UK otr price of over 12k. Admittedly this was for very low miles 30k< and with the performance pack.

P.s have you got any recommendations for agents in japan/best websites to view auction cars? Thanks

[Axeboy]

Yeah, thats approx for on the road price, includes some costs for MOT, conversion etc.

I always use http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/

There are others, but I always use that to check sold prices and just full on nerd on the data

[Tony_T]

Axeboy said:

Yeah, thats approx for on the road price, includes some costs for MOT, conversion etc.

I always use http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/

There are others, but I always use that to check sold prices and just full on nerd on the data

Thanks that website is really useful, much better than the one ive been using so far. Is there any chance you can send me an example of costs so i can understand the breakdown of costs? I take it also includes an agent fee? Thanks again really appreciate your help.

[Axeboy]

I can share my spreadsheet with you, Ive added you as a "mate" on the forum, you might need to do the same for me to private message or email

[mersontheperson]

Axeboy said:

I can share my spreadsheet with you, Ive added you as a "mate" on the forum, you might need to do the same for me to private message or email

Japan side I use a New Zealander called Brendan at SmileJV
He is a wonderful guy and I have bought 8 or 9 cars through him and sold 4 or 5 back through the auctions when I lived there. He has helped with all manor of stuff for me.
This side I use MyCarImport, they can get it on the road for about a grand and will save you lots of time.
You could save a few hundred quid doing it yourself, but I am not sure in my case it’s not worth the stress or delay.

Last time I shipped (about 6 months ago) Ro-Ro was really expensive and a container much better value if it’s still the case it would make sense to do a couple of cars at the same time