Importing a car from Japan - Complete ball ache?
Discussion
Ved said:
I'd save yourself the hassle and get someone to do it for you. Torque GT has access to all auctions and has a very good reputation. You'll get exactly what you want and considering the costs and time involved you'll probably end up evens anyway.
Exactly that really, and they'll sort all the SVA and registration stuff for you. 
I haven't brought anything over in the last few years but unless the registration process in the UK has changed drastically, anyone with an ounce of common sense and some basic mechanical skills should have no problem. Why pay a middle man to do some paperwork and a spot of DIY? I'm not sure TCV is the best place to go - it's mainly dealer stock that has been marked up accordingly. Buying direct from an auction would be cheaper.
HOWEVER - having said all that, I'd still advise you to buy a car already in the UK - simply because the exchange rate has been awful for the last few years and is likely to stay that way for a while. It used to be worth it, but it can easily become pointless if you don't pay the right price for the car. Finding a bargain with the current exchange rates is very difficult.
If you want something that simply can't be found in the UK and find yourself forced to buy from Japan, don't be put off by the fact that you won't have seen the car. Each car will be examined and graded prior to the auction by someone who grades cars for a living and who has nothing to gain by being economical with the truth. Everyone I've dealt with has been very honest and very helpful.
Don't forget though, the price you pay for the car in Japan bears no relation to the amount you'll have shelled out by the time it's registered in this country. On top of the purchase price, you've got handling, shipping, marine insurance, import duty (10%), VAT (20% on the price of the car + the import duty), customs charge, delivery from the port, parts, registration costs, MOT, plates, road tax.
Lastly, I'd advise you to carefully look into the UK registration process. Last time I registered an import, it involved doing a few jobs on the car, hiring a model report and getting an esva test. The process was simpler with older cars but you need to do some research - importing a car for which there was no model report used to mean it was very difficult to get the car on the road without huge expense.
HOWEVER - having said all that, I'd still advise you to buy a car already in the UK - simply because the exchange rate has been awful for the last few years and is likely to stay that way for a while. It used to be worth it, but it can easily become pointless if you don't pay the right price for the car. Finding a bargain with the current exchange rates is very difficult.
If you want something that simply can't be found in the UK and find yourself forced to buy from Japan, don't be put off by the fact that you won't have seen the car. Each car will be examined and graded prior to the auction by someone who grades cars for a living and who has nothing to gain by being economical with the truth. Everyone I've dealt with has been very honest and very helpful.
Don't forget though, the price you pay for the car in Japan bears no relation to the amount you'll have shelled out by the time it's registered in this country. On top of the purchase price, you've got handling, shipping, marine insurance, import duty (10%), VAT (20% on the price of the car + the import duty), customs charge, delivery from the port, parts, registration costs, MOT, plates, road tax.
Lastly, I'd advise you to carefully look into the UK registration process. Last time I registered an import, it involved doing a few jobs on the car, hiring a model report and getting an esva test. The process was simpler with older cars but you need to do some research - importing a car for which there was no model report used to mean it was very difficult to get the car on the road without huge expense.
Edited by Risotto on Monday 14th January 13:10
Risotto said:
HOWEVER - having said all that, I'd still advise you to buy a car already in the UK - simply because the exchange rate has been awful for the last few years and is likely to stay that way for a while. It used to be worth it, but as you can see from the costs below, it can easily become pointless if you don't pay the right price for the car. Finding a bargain with the current exchange rates is very difficult.
Not everyone wants a run of the mill Skyline GT-R or Scooby. When you're buying from abroad there are far more domestic market options, which is why so many importers offer you a 'spec what you like' service so you can get the exact car you want.Loplop said:
Not everyone wants a run of the mill Skyline GT-R or Scooby. When you're buying from abroad there are far more domestic market options, which is why so many importers offer you a 'spec what you like' service so you can get the exact car you want.
I'm not even remotely tempted by a GTR or a scooby, but a 180SX based Sileighty rep with an SR20 would be very tempting. Or even a stock S13 Silvia Ks.Captain Muppet said:
Loplop said:
Not everyone wants a run of the mill Skyline GT-R or Scooby. When you're buying from abroad there are far more domestic market options, which is why so many importers offer you a 'spec what you like' service so you can get the exact car you want.
I'm not even remotely tempted by a GTR or a scooby, but a 180SX based Sileighty rep with an SR20 would be very tempting. Or even a stock S13 Silvia Ks.Risotto said:
Don't forget though, the price you pay for the car in Japan bears no relation to the amount you'll have shelled out by the time it's registered in this country. On top of the purchase price, you've got handling, shipping, marine insurance, import duty (10%), VAT (20% on the price of the car + the import duty), customs charge, delivery from the port, parts, registration costs, MOT, plates, road tax.
Lastly, I'd advise you to carefully look into the UK registration process. Last time I registered an import, it involved doing a few jobs on the car, hiring a model report and getting an esva test. The process was simpler with older cars but you need to do some research - importing a car for which there was no model report used to mean it was very difficult to get the car on the road without huge expense.
This was what I was worried about!Lastly, I'd advise you to carefully look into the UK registration process. Last time I registered an import, it involved doing a few jobs on the car, hiring a model report and getting an esva test. The process was simpler with older cars but you need to do some research - importing a car for which there was no model report used to mean it was very difficult to get the car on the road without huge expense.
Edited by Risotto on Monday 14th January 13:10
D_G said:
Things have changed a lot from Risotto's post, I'm still involved in this stuff even though the exchange rate is still poor but improving, can you let me know the make / model and year of what you are considering and I can advise better.
Right don't laugh, I'm after a Nissan Cube (who's sniggering at the back?!), no older than 2003 but it must be the 7 seater version (known as either the Cube3 or the Cubic). Less than 70,000 miles on the clock would be nice.Colour not fussed, but would prefer to avoid red as it really whould look like a Postman Pat replica.
Dr Murdoch said:
Right don't laugh, I'm after a Nissan Cube (who's sniggering at the back?!), no older than 2003 but it must be the 7 seater version (known as either the Cube3 or the Cubic). Less than 70,000 miles on the clock would be nice.
Colour not fussed, but would prefer to avoid red as it really whould look like a Postman Pat replica.
Colour not fussed, but would prefer to avoid red as it really whould look like a Postman Pat replica.
From the thread title I was expecting 800bhp Skylines!
itz_baseline said:
Autotrader? There's a few on there for £4k. You can touch and feel what you are going to buy first. They are rare but defo available and saves all the hasstle for the sake of maybe saying a couple of hundred pounds....
Indeed, trouble is I want to avoid paying 4k. I just missed the boat on one for 2.5k which seemed pretty good, so I'm hoping to pay closer to 3k than 4k. I'm sure one will come up, but I'm kinda under pressure to sort something before April (this is when Murdoch the 3rd should be making his/her first appearance)Oh I haven't decided to import one, I'm just testing the water.
If I could get one imported and fully road legal for up to 2.5k then it probably would be worth the hassle. Anything over and I agree with most comments, it would indeed make more sense to go through PH or AutoTrader etc etc
If I could get one imported and fully road legal for up to 2.5k then it probably would be worth the hassle. Anything over and I agree with most comments, it would indeed make more sense to go through PH or AutoTrader etc etc
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