What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Is buying a Japanese import a good idea?
Is buying a Japanese import a good idea? I'm considering a Honda FR-V.
Asked on 4 September 2017 by scfc_151
Answered by
Honest John
Basically these cars are MoT failure. Japan has a much tougher vehicle inspection regime called the Shaken tests, at three, five and seven years old, then every year. It can cost more to get the car through a Shaken test than it is worth. So, though the cars still run, they are auctioned off for export to poorer countries like the UK. That's what you're buying, plus the considerable cost of transport to the UK, EU import duty of 10 per cent and UK VAT of 20 per cent.
Similar questions
I'm thinking about getting a Nissan Elgrand. Do I have to pay the duty on it as well as the price of the motor?
My niece, who already has a seven year old, is expecting triplets. What would be your recommendation for a vehicle suitable to transport two adults, a seven year old and three babies (including all the...
Do imported cars from Japan such as 2015-2018 Volvo V40 and Volkswagen Golf have less corrosion protection that the equivalent UK models? Apparently salt is not used to de-ice roads in Japan
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Clever way to carry 6 in 2 rows, like a Multipla, but with Honda quality. 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 all chain cam engines.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
