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Buying an import car

M

Mark R

Diamond Member
It seems the used-car market in Japan is very much a buyers' market. The prices payable are far below those locally (UK) - so far below, in fact, that it looks like you can make a very good saving by buying one at auction, shipping it over and making the appropriate mods to make it legal.

So, does anyone have experience of buying from Japanese auctions?

From what I can tell, all the auctions are government run - so there's nothing missing from the description (every little dent and scratch, verified milage, yada, yada) is there and certified.

The other advantage is that the cars are correct-side-drive which avoids the problem of trying to sell-on or insure a left-hand-drive car. Just need to ditch the kilometer speedo and add some foggies.

So ideas, experiences, views, comments, encouragement, witticisms, etc. all welcomed.
 
Originally posted by: Mark R
It seems the used-car market in Japan is very much a buyers' market. The prices payable are far below those locally (UK) - so far below, in fact, that it looks like you can make a very good saving by buying one at auction, shipping it over and making the appropriate mods to make it legal.

So, does anyone have experience of buying from Japanese auctions?

From what I can tell, all the auctions are government run - so there's nothing missing from the description (every little dent and scratch, verified milage, yada, yada) is there and certified.

The other advantage is that the cars are correct-side-drive which avoids the problem of trying to sell-on or insure a left-hand-drive car. Just need to ditch the kilometer speedo and add some foggies.

So ideas, experiences, views, comments, encouragement, witticisms, etc. all welcomed.
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You make a point about the insurance on a LHD car, but if you could hold that for a second and think about it like this: buy a car from the continent (Europe) and import it, heck you could even drive it over. Isn't that much cheaper? Now, I have no idea of insurance on LHD vehicles, so it would be up to you to see how the numbers add up.

And, are you sure that all auctions are government run, or just the ones you are looking at? I'm pretty sure it's just the ones that you are looking at, there must be some privately run auctions.
 
I'd only do it so I could have a car not availabe in the UK. If cost is your only concern I think you're wasting your time.
 
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I'd only do it so I could have a car not availabe in the UK. If cost is your only concern I think you're wasting your time.
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yea, if its anything like the U.S. it has to be modified to meet U.K. specs... or it has to be older than XX years.
 
Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I'd only do it so I could have a car not availabe in the UK. If cost is your only concern I think you're wasting your time.
Click to expand...

yea, if its anything like the U.S. it has to be modified to meet U.K. specs... or it has to be older than XX years.
Click to expand...
Actually its much easier in the UK to import cars. I still think its a lot of trouble for cost savings.
 
if i remember correctly, japan has bunches of taxes and fees on used cars. they want their citizens buying new.
 
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: uhohs
if i remember correctly, japan has bunches of taxes and fees on used cars. they want their citizens buying new.
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But if buying for export.......
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do they still charge fees and taxes out the wazoo? dunno
 
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