Importing a car from Japan - Hmmm.
Discussion
I want to import a Toyota Altezza RS200 (Lexus IS200 Equavalent, but with a stronger, more reliable engine)
Im sure this has been covered before (tried searching, nothing for the Altezza)
I want a "BEAMS" engined Altezza which were not sold in the UK or anywhere in Europe for that matter.
Getting the car over here isnt the problem its the registration, how would i go about it, and with it being a different engine but the EXACT same body and interior would it be a parallel import?
what costs would be incurred when its gets to the UK? I have found an altezza on a website, which includes shipping and insurance for 1900? does that sound right?
Im sure this has been covered before (tried searching, nothing for the Altezza)
I want a "BEAMS" engined Altezza which were not sold in the UK or anywhere in Europe for that matter.
Getting the car over here isnt the problem its the registration, how would i go about it, and with it being a different engine but the EXACT same body and interior would it be a parallel import?
what costs would be incurred when its gets to the UK? I have found an altezza on a website, which includes shipping and insurance for 1900? does that sound right?
Regulations have probably changed since i did it
Have a look at the dvlc website for what you need to register the car. I needed proof i owned it in japan but you may not any more.
My car had to be sva tested first you will need to put a fog light on and modify the fuel filler neck first.
Have a look at the dvlc website for what you need to register the car. I needed proof i owned it in japan but you may not any more.
My car had to be sva tested first you will need to put a fog light on and modify the fuel filler neck first.
Not bought any imports fresh off the boat for a while, but find an importer that has one and has done the SVA already. Take the paperwork to the local DVLA office (before they close them down!), along with an MOT certificate and insurance certificate and they'll allocate a reg number for you. When you insure it, insure it on the chassis number, specialist companies will insure on the chassis number for 10 days or so whilst a reg number is allocated. It's pretty straight forward 
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?
HOWEVER - having said all that, I'd still advise you to find a car that's already in the UK. 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.
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 find a car that's already in the UK. 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.
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.
Altezza site here if you didn't know might be cars already in the countryfor sale
http://www.tezzaworld.com/index.php?sid=aba64afff7...
http://www.tezzaworld.com/index.php?sid=aba64afff7...
Risotto said:
Finding a bargain with the current exchange rates is very difficult.
You're wrong here. Japan voted in a new prime minister last month who quickly printed out lots of yen to drop the value of it. It's now sitting at £6.89 for 1000yen, it was £8.10 for 1000yen 2 months ago. It is likely to drop a little more before April too. Now is the time to buy things from Japan if the exchange rate was what held you back before.But you're completely right about all the other stuff though. The extras can end up doubling the price if you think you've found a real bargain.
Anything older than 10 years won't need an SVA. Assuming it's older than 10 years then it's a piece of cake - just get an MOT on it, get the import pack from the DVLA and fill in the paper work (which is straight forward) and away you go. Important that you have all the supporting paperwork i.e. Jap de-reg, proof you've paid the duty and VAT etc etc.
SignalGruen said:
Anything older than 10 years won't need an SVA. Assuming it's older than 10 years then it's a piece of cake - just get an MOT on it, get the import pack from the DVLA and fill in the paper work (which is straight forward) and away you go. Important that you have all the supporting paperwork i.e. Jap de-reg, proof you've paid the duty and VAT etc etc.
True, except it's IVA.Although it will still be exempt from it.
Have you looked around there are plenty over here already.
Bear in mind you're buying a car with no test drive and no warranty you'll have to wait months and add shipping, duty and VAT so a £2k car will end up close to:
2,000 + 900 (guesstimate shipping)= 2900
Duty 5% ? = 3045
VAT 20% = 3654
It's not unheard of for parts to go missing or damage to occur on the boat too.
EDIT - just seen it includes shipping for £1900 - are you sure it's a legit car / site ?
Bear in mind you're buying a car with no test drive and no warranty you'll have to wait months and add shipping, duty and VAT so a £2k car will end up close to:
2,000 + 900 (guesstimate shipping)= 2900
Duty 5% ? = 3045
VAT 20% = 3654
It's not unheard of for parts to go missing or damage to occur on the boat too.
EDIT - just seen it includes shipping for £1900 - are you sure it's a legit car / site ?
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