Imported car - things to look for?

[MervJnr]

Hi all, long time lurker first time poster!

I've got my eyes on a car, a variant of a Golf GTi Mk7 that has been imported from Japan. It was imported a few years ago, is registered and has been through multiple MOT's.

Aside from possibly being more expensive to insure than a UK car, is there anything else I should be wary of? I have my 90's JDM Honda hat on and am thinking less rust protection underneath, but this being a VW and (presumably!) not produced in Japan would I be wrong to presume it's exactly the same as a UK spec car?

[MustangGT]

Nothing specific, but, if you are asking this, I would think about buying a standard UK car. Any buyer could have the same potential questions. Not worth the hassle unless it is much cheaper than a UK example.

[MervJnr]

Thanks, it's the right spec for me and compared to what else is out there at the moment, seems a good price. It's a clubsport variant so there's not a huge amount of choice on the market at the moment.

So yeah I'm essentially checking that it's worth the 'hassle' of it being an import over spending more for UK car!

[Hammy98]

Is it a Clubsport S?

Having tried to sell on a 'Story Car' before I'd say it's not worth the hassle unless its the proper Clubsport S with the wingbacks, no back seats etc.

[grudas]

same things youd look for in any other car really.

rust is probably less of a worry seeing as japan doesn't have the ste we see on uk roads. My 20 year old toyota celsior is rust free underneath but only been in uk for 2 years.

insurance has never been an issue. Plus it's a just vw golf. Nothing special/rare

[PAUL.S.]

grudas said:

same things youd look for in any other car really.

rust is probably less of a worry seeing as japan doesn't have the ste we see on uk roads. My 20 year old toyota celsior is rust free underneath but only been in uk for 2 years.

insurance has never been an issue. Plus it's a just vw golf. Nothing special/rare

Bit of a myth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3ofHivJEz0&t=...

[MervJnr]

Hammy98 said:

Is it a Clubsport S?

Having tried to sell on a 'Story Car' before I'd say it's not worth the hassle unless its the proper Clubsport S with the wingbacks, no back seats etc.

No, just a Clubsport Edition 40. Thanks for the advice, I don't know how long it's been on the market for but it's not the most recent that's for sure.

[grudas]

PAUL.S. said:

Bit of a myth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3ofHivJEz0&t=...

it isn't.. there are parts of japan that have salt on the roads but majority of is fine and majority of imports are checked before bidding for this exact reason so most cars in uk from japan will be in good condition underneath..

I've owned multiple imports and all have been spotless underneath

94 eunos roadster
03 toyota crown
03 toyota celsior
05 nissan cube

all spotless, my 06 mazda was rotten underneath.