Buying a Golf R Estate import from Japan?
Discussion
Hi all, what are everyone's opinion on buying a european car imported from Japan, in this case its a Golf R Estate?
I can pick up a super clean looking, 2015 <40k miles Golf R Estate for £16k, anything on the UK market for this price range usually has well above 70k miles. From my limited research the Japanese imports tend to be pretty damn spotless and rust free, well maintained vehicles.
I have seen discussions on both sides, people say why on earth would you buy an import VAG when the UK market has plenty, and other people saying they prefer imports due to condition etc.
What are everyone's thoughts on importing (regular, vastly available european cars) into the UK?
I can pick up a super clean looking, 2015 <40k miles Golf R Estate for £16k, anything on the UK market for this price range usually has well above 70k miles. From my limited research the Japanese imports tend to be pretty damn spotless and rust free, well maintained vehicles.
I have seen discussions on both sides, people say why on earth would you buy an import VAG when the UK market has plenty, and other people saying they prefer imports due to condition etc.
What are everyone's thoughts on importing (regular, vastly available european cars) into the UK?
MDMA . said:
Import every time. Thats if it s as described.
Take note, there s a few dealers where the paperwork/condition sheets seem to go missing during transport. Just make sure you do your own DD.
Very much this, too many dealers about nowadays that just cannot make an honest living.Take note, there s a few dealers where the paperwork/condition sheets seem to go missing during transport. Just make sure you do your own DD.
The last one I bought was a Mitsi Colt Ralliart, and no way was it a grade 4 car. Doctored auction sheet I guessed.
A shame because the many before had been totally as described, and amazing underneath.
I had a 12 year old (at the time) Delica that looked almost new everywhere (grade 4.5) and underneath had no rust at all.
More recently a Honda Elysion for fishing, and that was also beautiful.
Too easy for the dodgy dealers to tippex over the auction grade, and replace it with a four.
Beware anything grade zero, they've been accident repaired.
Good luck with your purchase, Love a Golf R estate, get it mapped, they're hilarious.
MT09_94 said:
Hi all, what are everyone's opinion on buying a european car imported from Japan, in this case its a Golf R Estate?
I can pick up a super clean looking, 2015 <40k miles Golf R Estate for £16k, anything on the UK market for this price range usually has well above 70k miles. From my limited research the Japanese imports tend to be pretty damn spotless and rust free, well maintained vehicles.
I have seen discussions on both sides, people say why on earth would you buy an import VAG when the UK market has plenty, and other people saying they prefer imports due to condition etc.
What are everyone's thoughts on importing (regular, vastly available european cars) into the UK?
Does the £16k include shipping, Duty, VAT and the fees on the Japan side.I can pick up a super clean looking, 2015 <40k miles Golf R Estate for £16k, anything on the UK market for this price range usually has well above 70k miles. From my limited research the Japanese imports tend to be pretty damn spotless and rust free, well maintained vehicles.
I have seen discussions on both sides, people say why on earth would you buy an import VAG when the UK market has plenty, and other people saying they prefer imports due to condition etc.
What are everyone's thoughts on importing (regular, vastly available european cars) into the UK?
Insurance can be more expensive too.
It usually works out more expensive than equivalent cars in the UK if you're importing a car that was officially sold here. But they nearly are always cleaner, as long as you avoid Hokkaido cars as that's their equivalent of Scotland, although not as bad.
_Rodders_ said:
Does the £16k include shipping, Duty, VAT and the fees on the Japan side.
Insurance can be more expensive too.
It usually works out more expensive than equivalent cars in the UK if you're importing a car that was officially sold here. But they nearly are always cleaner, as long as you avoid Hokkaido cars as that's their equivalent of Scotland, although not as bad.
The 16k is on the UK side, fully registered and MOT'd ready to drive awayInsurance can be more expensive too.
It usually works out more expensive than equivalent cars in the UK if you're importing a car that was officially sold here. But they nearly are always cleaner, as long as you avoid Hokkaido cars as that's their equivalent of Scotland, although not as bad.
A friend was looking at a couple of Polo imports for his daughter’s first car. Both had done c.40,000 miles and apparently looked good. He did a Car VX report which is their version of an HPI check and both cars were auctioned in Japan with nearly double the current displayed mileage.
South tdf said:
A friend was looking at a couple of Polo imports for his daughter s first car. Both had done c.40,000 miles and apparently looked good. He did a Car VX report which is their version of an HPI check and both cars were auctioned in Japan with nearly double the current displayed mileage.
Could that have been him reading it wrong? Auction report would show km/s and then it would be converted to miles when in the UK?There's a dealership near me (https://www.tpcleeds.co.uk) that specialises in imports, I noticed they had an assortment of stuff like RS3s, Golf Rs etc with square rear plates alongside the the other cars and they were all absolutely immaculate in comparison to similar UK market ones I'd been looking at.
It seems like a no-brainer if the prices are agreeable and you're comfortable with the history and documentation.
JM-Imports seems to have a steady flow of R36 estates coming in and they always look fantastic too.
It seems like a no-brainer if the prices are agreeable and you're comfortable with the history and documentation.
JM-Imports seems to have a steady flow of R36 estates coming in and they always look fantastic too.
A relative used to import Mk5 and 6 GTI’s years ago and they were spotless cars. Always tempted me but didnt have the funds at the time. Would get one where its either already over here and had all the conversions or buy from an importer who does it all for you once the car arrives via the ship.
Here’s one - https://www.guysjdm.com/product-page/vw-golf-r-dsg...
The chap has two - https://www.guysjdm.com/product-page/vw-golf-r-dsg...
The chap has two - https://www.guysjdm.com/product-page/vw-golf-r-dsg...
MT09_94 said:
_Rodders_ said:
Does the £16k include shipping, Duty, VAT and the fees on the Japan side.
Insurance can be more expensive too.
It usually works out more expensive than equivalent cars in the UK if you're importing a car that was officially sold here. But they nearly are always cleaner, as long as you avoid Hokkaido cars as that's their equivalent of Scotland, although not as bad.
The 16k is on the UK side, fully registered and MOT'd ready to drive awayInsurance can be more expensive too.
It usually works out more expensive than equivalent cars in the UK if you're importing a car that was officially sold here. But they nearly are always cleaner, as long as you avoid Hokkaido cars as that's their equivalent of Scotland, although not as bad.
The cars tend to be so clean inside and out that 100k haircuts can be hard to spot.
_Rodders_ said:
There was a Facebook group called Clockers Exposed that highlighted loads of clocked cars for sale at dealers. Supposedly reputable JDM importers too.
It's since been removed, which serves no one other than the dodgy dealers.
I come across clocked cars all the time, many ex lease, and many are prestige cars.It's since been removed, which serves no one other than the dodgy dealers.
I've had some, let's say, interesting discussions with sellers/dealers who think they're the only clever one's.
Just last week I was given a service history book with dubious stamps.
The stamps mileages matched the MOT's exactly, but the services were done 100 miles away from the MOT centre.
I said to the dealer, "the person who's made this book up wasn't that clever"
His expression told me everything I needed to know.
So many dodgy dealers, many just can't make an honest living.
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