Self importing a Japanese car?

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Wed 30 Mar 2022 16:47
Self importing a Japanese car? - daveyK_UK
I am wondering if anyone has ever imported a Japanese car without using one of the various import companies?

The reason I ask is a friend wants to import a car and taking into account all the costs, duty and taxes worked it out at £825 quid to get it from the Japanese dealership over to the UK, conversion work (minimal) and on the road including MOT (provided it has no failures).


Of the 4 car import companies he has had quotes from they all want £2000 plus to get it from Japan and into the UK including conversions and MOT, so effectively a nice £1k plus profit.

If anyone has first hand experience of the process and what to do/not to do then please reply with how you went about it.

Thank you for any help

Edited by daveyK_UK on 30/03/2022 at 16:48

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Wed 30 Mar 2022 17:34
Self importing a Japanese car? - Oli rag

Sounds like a great idea if it's that cheap.

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Wed 30 Mar 2022 17:53
Self importing a Japanese car? - badbusdriver

I have looked into this (not in great detail, just browsing) and frankly I can't see how he could get it into the UK for that little money.

Shipping cost is going to be roughly £600-900.

Import duty is going to be 10% of the car's value plus 10% of the shipping cost.

On top of that you have import VAT which breaks down as 20% of the value of the car plus 20% of the shipping cost plus 20% of the import duty.

As for the conversion work, how minimal this is will surely depend on the car. Converting the speedometer on a car with an electronic instrument display would presumably be easy enough, but what if it has analogue dials, is that easy to do?. Properly undersealing a car would be quite a big job too, though you could, in theory, do that yourself.

Edited by badbusdriver on 30/03/2022 at 17:54

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Wed 30 Mar 2022 18:02
Self importing a Japanese car? - elekie&a/c doctor
The OP seems to have overlooked the Iva test , which is compulsory as part of the UK registration procedure.
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Wed 30 Mar 2022 18:38
Self importing a Japanese car? - KB.

I imported half a dozen Toyotas from the Netherlands but it was in 2000 - 2002. I'm sure a lot has changed since then. The exchange rate was favourable then - I can't be bothered to compare today's rates but don't imagine there's so much profit in it now.

The company was (and still is) called InterMotive and, at the time, was in Ostend. It was all reasonably straightforward. I ordered them one or two at a time and and brought a couple of them back on the ferry, which didn't cost much at the time and they delivered a couple direct to Dover docks which was easier still.. I recall two of them came back on a hovercraft. Registered them when back here and either sold them on straight away or, in one or two cases, kept them for personal use. The salesesman there was a true gentleman and was a genuine, helpful bloke.

Wouldn't do it now. We were in the EU then - don't know if that makes a difference and my Insurance company allowed me to cover them for short periods. I can't imagine it's as easy now. It was a bit of an adventure at the time and there were little obstacles to overcome. There was no DVLA inspection on any of them but they did say they could have asked to do so if they so chose. There was no conversion of any sort ... they were built to UK spec. I had to order a UK service book from our local Toyota dealer. They didn't need any underseal - it was done just as a UK car would have been. The cars were identical to UK sourced cars except I recall they had a slightly different badge on the boot.

One of the cars we kept for our own use (a diesel Yaris) disappeared from under my nose (I was car-jacked) and it was never seen again. Not a pleasant experience. Didn't buy any more new cars for a long time after that.

Edited by KB. on 30/03/2022 at 19:07

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Wed 30 Mar 2022 20:20
Self importing a Japanese car? - sammy1

I think it all depends on the car and then price you are willing to pay. You are viewing the car on line in much the same way as any other car and relying on the description and honesty of the dealer. You have weighed up the import tariffs etc and come up with a figure and then if you go ahead you are on your own should anything go wrong . For piece on mind it is well worth paying a company who specialise in importing vehicles and paying the fees for expert advice. There are often cars advertised on E bay and other sites of imports from Japan and the prices are cheaper than UK prices and are generally UK spec or high spec having been imported to Japan from Europe or already made in the East.

12 years ago my son had his eye on a Nissan Skyline in Japan a rare car here. It was advertised through an agent in Southampton who specialised in imports. He wanted the car was happy with the price and went ahead despite my reservations. I am pleased to say the car was a good one and on collection noticed the rear tyres were shot. The import company readily paid for 2new tyres. I treated him to a private plate T100 SKY The car served him well for 3 years and sold it to a Scottish guy who flew down to Cardiff to buy it It is still on the road and current MOT to JUNE2022 and probably worth more than what it was bought for!

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Thu 31 Mar 2022 04:56
Self importing a Japanese car? - daveyK_UK
Hi,
the £825 is the total cost he calculated after getting prices, fees, etc.
Thank you for stating it looks too cheap, I will ask him to check again.

He also wants a Nissan skyline!

I know the IVA test will not apply as the car will be over 10 years old

Thank you for replies, I don’t want him to make an expensive mistake.

Edited by daveyK_UK on 31/03/2022 at 04:57

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Thu 31 Mar 2022 14:49
Self importing a Japanese car? - Sulphur Man

Can't believe its that cheap.

If it was that cheap, companies would be frantically buying up used Jap stock and selling them here, to make up the shortage of decent used cars in the UK right now

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Thu 31 Mar 2022 15:51
Self importing a Japanese car? - badbusdriver

Using a website selling Japanese cars as a base, I did some working out based on my own understanding of the fees involved.

This is based on the cheapest example I could find of what most UK buyers would think of as a Skyline (A 2001 R34 at £20,844), and using a shipping cost of £1k just for ease of counting.

The figure I came to is just under £7k, and this excludes the speedo/trip counter conversion.

There are a couple of points worth considering. First is that my understanding of the fees are all wrong, quite possible!. Second is that the Skyline your friend is interested in would be considered a classic car. But even if that is the case, I still can't see it being much less than half of the figure I came to (I think you don't pay the VAT of the car's value in this case)

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Sat 21 May 2022 08:24
Self importing a Japanese car? - edlithgow

I have looked into this (not in great detail, just browsing) and frankly I can't see how he could get it into the UK for that little money.

Drive it across the Soviet Union...Oh wait...

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Sat 21 May 2022 22:19
Self importing a Japanese car? - alan1302

I have looked into this (not in great detail, just browsing) and frankly I can't see how he could get it into the UK for that little money.

Drive it across the Soviet Union...Oh wait...

Need to time travel to do that :-)

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Sun 22 May 2022 04:30
Self importing a Japanese car? - edlithgow

I have looked into this (not in great detail, just browsing) and frankly I can't see how he could get it into the UK for that little money.

Drive it across the Soviet Union...Oh wait...

Need to time travel to do that :-)

I have a good memory.

Unemployed when the curtain was unravelling, I fantasized about driving my Lada to Moscow and selling it, then going to Japan and buying a Toyota, then possibly rinse and repeat. Bit of an adventure, I thought.

Years later I was sharing a house in London with some Russians, and mentioned this pipe dream to one of them. He said if I'd done it when I first thought of it I might have got away with it.

6 months later it was an established Mafia monopoly and he thought I'd have been lucky to survive the attempt.

With a friend he'd bought a Toyota (I THINK in Vladivostok rather than Japan), hidden it in a dung pile near the marshalling yards, paid off a railway worker, and at dead of night driven it out of the dung and onto a freight waggon, thence to Moscow. He said they were acutely terrified the whole time and would never ever want to do anything like that again.

Saved quite a bit on Moscow prices, though, apparently.

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Thu 31 Mar 2022 18:08
Self importing a Japanese car? - Warning

I was thinking about buying an import vehicle. However, the console screen was in Japanese. I don't know if insurance companies will charge a higher price for an import vehicle. In theory a Japanese car should be better built then one elsewhere.....

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Thu 31 Mar 2022 18:28
Self importing a Japanese car? - badbusdriver

I was thinking about buying an import vehicle. However, the console screen was in Japanese. I don't know if insurance companies will charge a higher price for an import vehicle. In theory a Japanese car should be better built then one elsewhere.....

I'd think it was inevitable the insurance on a Japanese import will cost more. If for no other reason that in the event of an accident, most replacement body panels are going to be harder to come by, cost more to have delivered and take longer to arrive. The same could apply to many (though probably not all) mechanical parts too.

I wouldn't even try getting a quote from what you might term as a conventional car insurer. Look for an insurer who deals with `different` cars, classics, US, modified, kit cars, etc.

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Fri 1 Apr 2022 03:36
Self importing a Japanese car? - expat

I don't know about importing to the UK but if importing to Australia you have to have an engineer's certificate stating that it has been checked for asbestos and all removed. This is not cheap as sound deadeng materials, clutch, brakes, etc have to be disassembled and photos taken to prove it all has been done properly. If there is any doubt Customs will take it all apart again at your expense.

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Fri 1 Apr 2022 19:18
Self importing a Japanese car? - VengaPete

We are investigating a Honda Stepwagon (MPV) as a possible next vehicle and this is what we have found.

Trawling the various Stepwagon forums it seems Japcover (aka Mark Richard Insurance at Nailsea) gets repeated recommendations. Others have also had success with Direct Line and Admiral but you have to ring them. No idea how good they are or what prices you may get but it does seem cover is possible for what Stepwagon members are saying are "sensible" prices.
It also seems the newer the car the harder it becomes to get insurance.

Often mechanicals are shared across platforms so servicing stuff like filters etc are normally easy to get in UK. However, body panels / glass and things like locks / seats etc are often Japan only so in the event you have a bump needing these, it can be an expensive and lengthy process to get sorted.

You need to stay over 10 years old if possible which negates the need for the IVA test thingy and simplifies getting insurance.
I'd advise investigating any UK forums on the chosen vehicle as they may have specialist insurers available for the chosen model.

Regarding console audio unit, the Stepwagon forum says that Android units generally work Ok but do need careful connection as it isn't as simple as getting an ISO converter as you would with a UK car. The harder part is sourcing a facia if the car doesn't come with a suitable hole to put an aftermarket unit in. Many on Stepwagon forum have had to go to places like Aliexpress and hope they get sent the right part. For wiring it appears the Stepwagon is a cross between a CRV and an Accord. If in any doubt, folks have used a reputable car audio place who can test wires and connect them correctly.

Do also note that on many Japanese vehicles the indicator and wiper stalks are on the opposite side to a UK car. This may or may not be an issue for you but I thought I'd mention it.

I'm guessing you know that Jap vehicles aren't undersealed as they don't salt their roads so you absolutely would need to do this for Uk roads
You need to fit at least one fog light as Jap vehicles don't have them
I was surprised by this, but you don't need to convert the Speedo to MPG to get a UK MOT. However most folks do as converting "on the fly" when driving can lead to all sorts of trouble. Some on Stepwagon forum have used an OBD2 heads up display unit from Ebay to get around the convert on the fly problem, but most have the speedo converted

Having done a lot of digging into importing myself, there is far to much that can go wrong with buying/shipping and getting it onto UK soil. It isn't for the faint hearted and the importers who make a profit, are actually working for it.

If you do try self import, what I did find was the Jap car auctions have a strict grading system and you need to be looking at grade 4B or higher to get anything half decent unless you are prepared to repair possible major faults

Having looked at the self import route, I'd also suggest that £825 is optimistically low. Is he sure he's calculated ALL costs?

We are going to take our time and look for a UK arrived vehicle that has had the console converted and has a UK MOT and was brought in as grade 4B or higher.
Yes we will pay a bit more than self importing but we'd also get cover under UK sales of goods if it turned out to be a bag of bolts.

Hope that helps.



Edited by VengaPete on 01/04/2022 at 19:24

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Fri 1 Apr 2022 19:26
Self importing a Japanese car? - daveyK_UK
Vengapete

Excellent post, much appreciated.
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Fri 1 Apr 2022 19:47
Self importing a Japanese car? - badbusdriver
Vengapete Excellent post, much appreciated.

Agreed!.

Interesting to know that you don't actually have to convert the speedometer. But surely be easy enough to put stick on markers of some kind at the relevant points for 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70mph (assuming the car didn't have an electronic display).

Also, I was under the impression that most reputable JDM import specialists will fit an aftermarket head unit (if needed) as a matter of course?.

But if I ever get round to buying a JDM import, I'd definitely go to a UK based specialist for the vehicle, even if it does work out a wee bit more expensive, it is a lot less hassle!.

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Fri 1 Apr 2022 20:12
Self importing a Japanese car? - VengaPete

Regarding head unit conversion...

From what I've seen so far the dealers will convert if asked and for a suitable sum based on what head unit you choose. I haven't found any that routinely convert before sale.

Some owners just want the reverse camera and either plugin a USB stick for audio or have a frequency shifter fitted to get UK FM bands so don't need a UK unit.

Apparently both functions can be "worked" out from screen images and don't need a degree in Japanese text (many also use Google Translate and photo the buttons to be translated). Once you've done it a few times, it seems it becomes second nature to switch to the require mode

If you want things like sat nav, you do need a conversion as the OEM unit has no facility for UK maps and most I've seen advertised show the docks at a Japanese port as the last known place!

Also getting steering wheel controls to work can be troublesome (which is true on many aftermarket units and UK cars) so the dealers don't commit unless the buyer asks.

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Sat 21 May 2022 07:31
Self importing a Japanese car? - nellyjak

But if I ever get round to buying a JDM import, I'd definitely go to a UK based specialist for the vehicle, even if it does work out a wee bit more expensive, it is a lot less hassle!.

That's what I did when buying my Estima 6 years ago...yes, you pay more but there's just no hassle.

If you pick a good reputable dealer/importer they'll sort everything out.

Mine came with a service/full MOT without advisories/new head unit/kph-mph conversion/air-con regas/undersealed (it was in great condition prior to having that done..I checked.!!)..and 12 months warranty...and it was delivered to my house.!

The service I got was exemplary and I'd use them again without hesitation.

The vehicle has been superb.

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Sun 22 May 2022 00:56
Self importing a Japanese car? - focussed

You can fit a small gps speedo unit which is apparently legal for use as a speed indicating instrument in the UK.

I've got one fitted to my RHD Accord in France as the inner ring of KM markings on the analogue speedo are small and difficult to read.

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Sun 22 May 2022 13:15
Self importing a Japanese car? - Adampr

I've had a few Japanese imports. Never done it myself but, as other have said, it's essential to get them undersealesd or they just rot out. If they have a mechanical Speedo, most can either be switched to a UK spec one (make sure you record mileage) or there are stickers available for the most popular models. Bear in mind that 'mileage' will be in KM.

The reliability thing is a bit of a myth. In some cases, it's worse. There seems to have been a massive issue with early 90s diesel engines cracking cylinder heads and otherwise finding fun ways to overheat. In a lot of cases, people in the UK put the wrong coolant in or don't understand the cooling systems.

Quite a lot of people buy what was a dream car of the childhood and expect it to be reliable because it came from Japan. A 10-15 year old car is still a 10-15 year old car and will have issues.

Using an importer is not just about fees etc. The best ones have a representative in Japan who view the vehicle and make sure it's in the right state, has all the history etc. They will also deal with all of the paperwork and arrange the MOT (including the fog light) and undersealing.

I suppose I would ask your friend why he doesn't, for example, import rice from India. It will be loads cheaper....

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Mon 23 May 2022 16:47
Self importing a Japanese car? - Warning

I was looking at buying a used Japanese import. However, the internal condition varies. The seats always look a bit worn out.

It is better to buy a car from a specialist importer. You can view the car. Some of cars have console displays in Japanese. I noted in one or two model, people have fitted after market radios. However, if they are not changeable, then it is something you have to live with.....

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Mon 23 May 2022 17:22
Self importing a Japanese car? - badbusdriver

I was looking at buying a used Japanese import. However, the internal condition varies. The seats always look a bit worn out.

It is better to buy a car from a specialist importer. You can view the car. Some of cars have console displays in Japanese. I noted in one or two model, people have fitted after market radios. However, if they are not changeable, then it is something you have to live with.....

I have been spending a lot of time recently on a website selling JDM cars. Maybe it is just the kinds of cars I am looking at compared to you, but with very few exceptions, the interior condition of the cars are in far better condition than what I typically see from with used cars in this country on Autotrader or Ebay.

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Mon 23 May 2022 18:37
Self importing a Japanese car? - nellyjak

I was looking at buying a used Japanese import. However, the internal condition varies. The seats always look a bit worn out.

It is better to buy a car from a specialist importer. You can view the car. Some of cars have console displays in Japanese. I noted in one or two model, people have fitted after market radios. However, if they are not changeable, then it is something you have to live with.....

I have been spending a lot of time recently on a website selling JDM cars. Maybe it is just the kinds of cars I am looking at compared to you, but with very few exceptions, the interior condition of the cars are in far better condition than what I typically see from with used cars in this country on Autotrader or Ebay.

Agree.... overall I've always found the quality and condition (inside and out) far exceeds a UK/Euro car..age for age.

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