Carfromjapan.com has anyone used them?
Discussion
As per the topic, has anyone got experience with carfromjapan.com? Looking to import a car and save a few quid and this seems to be the website that works the best and is easiest to understand.
There's not a lot online about them. I can mitigate risk by purchasing on a credit card. Would be great to hear experiences good or bad.
There's not a lot online about them. I can mitigate risk by purchasing on a credit card. Would be great to hear experiences good or bad.
Edited by narbles on Monday 24th May 10:42
Roboticarm said:
I came very close to importing a car earlier this year but managed to find one already in the UK via the owners club
I did however I did alot of research and spoke to alot of companies
The one below came highly recommended and I had great comms with them
info@japaneseusedcars.com
FWIW, I have imported a car with japaneseusedcars.com , they were helpful throughout and the car was very good condition. If I were to import another car, I would use them again.I did however I did alot of research and spoke to alot of companies
The one below came highly recommended and I had great comms with them
info@japaneseusedcars.com
So I've gone ahead and placed an order with them. I'll keep this updated for anyone that may be looking to use them in the future.
I've so far been given an invoice, paid by credit card for the additional protection that offers and just awaiting confirmation that they've received payment. Communication has been good from them so far with their website messaging, although their messages tend to be very short and to the point. There was a payment charge that I wasn't expecting, nothing too expensive.
This means that all payments have been made to get the car to the port in the UK. My job will be to receive the car, pay import taxes, do a rear fog light conversion and get it MOTd and insured.
I've so far been given an invoice, paid by credit card for the additional protection that offers and just awaiting confirmation that they've received payment. Communication has been good from them so far with their website messaging, although their messages tend to be very short and to the point. There was a payment charge that I wasn't expecting, nothing too expensive.
This means that all payments have been made to get the car to the port in the UK. My job will be to receive the car, pay import taxes, do a rear fog light conversion and get it MOTd and insured.
narbles said:
Ash_ said:
Out of interest, what is it you're importing?
A Honda Stepwagon, with 2 litre K20A engine. Cheap as chips if it works out despite the customs duty and VAT being almost the same cost as the vehicle itself...
Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
Challo said:
Worth doing this over purchasing something already in the UK and registered?
Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
It is worth it in my case. Was looking at 5/6k+ in the UK and what I'm importing is around half of that. I'm in no hurry so it made sense. Also, some of the ones I was looking at here are starting to rust and are not as well cared for, and certainly not as low mileage. I think you just need to look at what's about on the market in the UK vs. what the cost would be from Japan.Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
narbles said:
Challo said:
Worth doing this over purchasing something already in the UK and registered?
Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
It is worth it in my case. Was looking at 5/6k+ in the UK and what I'm importing is around half of that. I'm in no hurry so it made sense. Also, some of the ones I was looking at here are starting to rust and are not as well cared for, and certainly not as low mileage. I think you just need to look at what's about on the market in the UK vs. what the cost would be from Japan.Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
Challo said:
Thanks. Do you know anywhere to look to see the costs in Japan for similar cars?
Funnily enough carfromjapan.com 
Reason I was enquiring about them on here was that unlike some of the other places suggested, carfromjapan list prices of the cars individually and then include the shipping cost. You're then responsible for everything from the port onwards in the UK. This is why I was keen to use it as I'm doing everything else DIY.
You've got to account for import duty and then tax which is on top of the car price AND the shipping costs. Which is why the tax on mine is almost the same cost as the car. Ridiculous if you ask me.
Challo said:
Worth doing this over purchasing something already in the UK and registered?
Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
I think there are 2 answers here:Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
1) if you want a fresh import then yes, importing yourself is usually a fair bit cheaper
2) if you are happy being the 2nd UK owner then buying one already here is cheaper. There seems to be a premium for a fresh import and as most are sold via dealers there's a retail premium too
I was about to push the button on#1 but went #2 there's other things to consider too, for example mine was already mapped for UK fuel, had the Speedo and cruise conversion and a UK stereo.
The costs on a fresh import to add the fog light, change the radio, get the car mapped if needed etc all needs to be considered
If you buy one as 2nd UK owner the 1st owner will have taken the hit on fresh import premium, retail premium and any conversion costs
narbles said:
Challo said:
Thanks. Do you know anywhere to look to see the costs in Japan for similar cars?
Funnily enough carfromjapan.com Reason I was enquiring about them on here was that unlike some of the other places suggested, carfromjapan list prices of the cars individually and then include the shipping cost. You're then responsible for everything from the port onwards in the UK. This is why I was keen to use it as I'm doing everything else DIY.
You've got to account for import duty and then tax which is on top of the car price AND the shipping costs. Which is why the tax on mine is almost the same cost as the car. Ridiculous if you ask me.
Roboticarm said:
Challo said:
Worth doing this over purchasing something already in the UK and registered?
Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
I think there are 2 answers here:Looking at purchasing an Elgrand or Alphard later in the year, but unsure whether to buy in the UK or import from Japan.
1) if you want a fresh import then yes, importing yourself is usually a fair bit cheaper
2) if you are happy being the 2nd UK owner then buying one already here is cheaper. There seems to be a premium for a fresh import and as most are sold via dealers there's a retail premium too
I was about to push the button on#1 but went #2 there's other things to consider too, for example mine was already mapped for UK fuel, had the Speedo and cruise conversion and a UK stereo.
The costs on a fresh import to add the fog light, change the radio, get the car mapped if needed etc all needs to be considered
If you buy one as 2nd UK owner the 1st owner will have taken the hit on fresh import premium, retail premium and any conversion costs
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