Has anyone brought a car in from Japan?

[Terry Crow]

Hi Has anyone imported a Z3 from Japan? If yes what' were the pitfalls and things to avoid and were there any surprises? Thanks TC

 

[hard top]

Yeah, @Tfp don't think it was a Z though.

 

[Terry Crow]

Yeah, @Tfp don't think it was a Z though.

Thanks Mike. Been looking for an affordable Z3 auto in yellow but nothing around. I logged onto Japanese Car Auctions and they have a one so dreaming I might have a punt and ship one over. T

 

[5harp3y]

I can't see the point in doing this. Would cost more than just buying a UK car when one comes up.

God it probably cheaper to buy a UK car and have it painted any colour you want

 

[Tfp]

Hi Has anyone imported a Z3 from Japan? If yes what' were the pitfalls and things to avoid and were there any surprises? Thanks TC

If you go through a decent importer and you get to see the Jap auction sheet there shouldn't be any pitfalls or surprises.

The Jap descriptions are very accurate.

Grading for the cars is 1-5.

5 being the best, as new, 1 being awful, 0 being something that's crashed/repaired.

I've never seen anything below a 3, I've seen 3's that have been a bit edgy.

Stick to grade 4 or above, 4,5, and you'll get a very nice car.

I'm no longer in contact with the chap I used to work for so can't recommend anyone I'm afraid. I used to collect his imports from the docks years ago.

If you're buying a car that's already been imported then you have to be careful. Ask if the auction description is available, or if there's any Jap service history. If the answer is no then I'd suggest moving on to another motor as there's possibly something to hide.

You can do a BIMTA check on a car already here, that company will check the mileage data from when the car went through Jap auction and give you a certificate. Most cars are sold at auction in Japan.

If you go it alone then you'll have to go through the process of shipping, import duty, clearing the docks (paying the duty/Vat ect..) and then transportation from the docks, fitting fog light, registration process etc.

I'd advise going through a trusted importer.

Tim

 

[Sean d]

Can't be of much help but a woman imported a Mitsi FTO for me some years back, it was 3 years old and mint, far better then I could find here and it was still cheaper that way, however I'm not sure how many cars she was importing.

 

[Grumps]

My wife has had 3 Jap imports. They were all superb. A Toyota Hilux, Toyota Lucida and a Mitsubishi Shogun. Can't help you on importing but Tims advice (@Tfp) is excellent. There are small changes you would have to make to for mot reasons such adding fog lights. They are rarely undersealed so something that i'd advise you do.

 

[hard top]

They are rarely undersealed so something that i'd advise you do.

No big deal, they are all radioactive, nothing sticks to that ...

 

[Tfp]

I can't see the point in doing this. Would cost more than just buying a UK car when one comes up.

Yes, the exchange rate is not favourable for us at the moment, so you'd have to look carefully at the costings.

You'll need to add the shipping, last one of mine was £1250, few years ago mind.

Add the shipping to the purchase price, then add 11% import duty, then add Vat at 20%, the customs people at the dock will raise an invoice for their bit and that has to be paid before they'll release the car.

Might have all changed so double check my info, last import I did was over 10 years ago now.

What you do get from a Jap import is a very rust free motor, they don't use salt over there.

 

[Mnbrennan]

Can't be of much help but a woman imported a Mitsi FTO for me some years back, it was 3 years old and mint, far better then I could find here and it was still cheaper that way, however I'm not sure how many cars she was importing.

My dad had a JDM FTO, nice car bit slow

 

[Terry Crow]

If you go through a decent importer and you get to see the Jap auction sheet there shouldn't be any pitfalls or surprises.

The Jap descriptions are very accurate.

Grading for the cars is 1-5.

5 being the best, as new, 1 being awful, 0 being something that's crashed/repaired.

I've never seen anything below a 3, I've seen 3's that have been a bit edgy.

Stick to grade 4 or above, 4,5, and you'll get a very nice car.

I'm no longer in contact with the chap I used to work for so can't recommend anyone I'm afraid. I used to collect his imports from the docks years ago.

If you're buying a car that's already been imported then you have to be careful. Ask if the auction description is available, or if there's any Jap service history. If the answer is no then I'd suggest moving on to another motor as there's possibly something to hide.

You can do a BIMTA check on a car already here, that company will check the mileage data from when the car went through Jap auction and give you a certificate. Most cars are sold at auction in Japan.

If you go it alone then you'll have to go through the process of shipping, import duty, clearing the docks (paying the duty/Vat ect..) and then transportation from the docks, fitting fog light, registration process etc.

I'd advise going through a trusted importer.

Tim

Many thanks very useful info. T

 

[Terry Crow]

Yes, the exchange rate is not favourable for us at the moment, so you'd have to look carefully at the costings.

You'll need to add the shipping, last one of mine was £1250, few years ago mind.

Add the shipping to the purchase price, then add 11% import duty, then add Vat at 20%, the customs people at the dock will raise an invoice for their bit and that has to be paid before they'll release the car.

Might have all changed so double check my info, last import I did was over 10 years ago now.

What you do get from a Jap import is a very rust free motor, they don't use salt over there.

Thanks very useful. Starting to build a picture of the work involved. T

 

[Terry Crow]

My wife has had 3 Jap imports. They were all superb. A Toyota Hilux, Toyota Lucida and a Mitsubishi Shogun. Can't help you on importing but Tims advice (@Tfp) is excellent. There are small changes you would have to make to for mot reasons such adding fog lights. They are rarely undersealed so something that i'd advise you do.

Many thanks T

 

[Terry Crow]

If you go through a decent importer and you get to see the Jap auction sheet there shouldn't be any pitfalls or surprises.

The Jap descriptions are very accurate.

Grading for the cars is 1-5.

5 being the best, as new, 1 being awful, 0 being something that's crashed/repaired.

I've never seen anything below a 3, I've seen 3's that have been a bit edgy.

Stick to grade 4 or above, 4,5, and you'll get a very nice car.

I'm no longer in contact with the chap I used to work for so can't recommend anyone I'm afraid. I used to collect his imports from the docks years ago.

If you're buying a car that's already been imported then you have to be careful. Ask if the auction description is available, or if there's any Jap service history. If the answer is no then I'd suggest moving on to another motor as there's possibly something to hide.

You can do a BIMTA check on a car already here, that company will check the mileage data from when the car went through Jap auction and give you a certificate. Most cars are sold at auction in Japan.

If you go it alone then you'll have to go through the process of shipping, import duty, clearing the docks (paying the duty/Vat ect..) and then transportation from the docks, fitting fog light, registration process etc.

I'd advise going through a trusted importer.

Just read some useful info on the Auction Site, food for thought. T

Tim

 

[Dino D]

I’d love a jap import model, I went to a Jap MPV dealer and the stock is amazing. He is bringing back jags that have lived there - they are really mint - imported cars from Europe there are for the really wealthy and they are beautifully kept.

 

[Terry Crow]

I’d love a jap import model, I went to a Jap MPV dealer and the stock is amazing. He is bringing back jags that have lived there - they are really mint - imported cars from Europe there are for the really wealthy and they are beautifully kept.

Hi looking at the Auction web site they look in great condition with low miles. One Auction House sent me an offer of buy 2 cars get one free!! I don't know if thats desperation or how it works in Japan. www.carfromjapan.com Thanks T

 

[Shelly]

We're had a Pajero
And it was a solid car with no faults

 

[Tfp]

Many thanks lots of useful information. T

You're very welcome.

Hi looking at the Auction web site they look in great condition with low miles. One Auction House sent me an offer of buy 2 cars get one free!! I don't know if thats desperation or how it works in Japan. www.carfromjapan.com Thanks T

Sounds like desperation to me, I'd steer clear.

My friend used to deal with a company called Cosmo Trading.

They supply trade only, but they may give you details of a local dealer who may be able to help, or assist you for a fee.

 

[Lee]

I've got a few friends that do this and rate it. You can get yourself a real steal if you look wisely. You can track it by GPS daily and see where the ship is.

In all the costs average out just shy of 2k. I dont know what companies they use but I can ask.

 

[Terry Crow]

You're very welcome.


Sounds like desperation to me, I'd steer clear.

My friend used to deal with a company called Cosmo Trading.

They supply trade only, but they may give you details of a local dealer who may be able to help, or assist you for a fee.

I know someone who worked in the Trade so i will have a talk with him, hopefully he stills has contacts he can call on. Thanks T