Are
Japanese imports right hand drive?
Yes, in common with most of Australia, the
Japanese motorist drives on the left and their cars are
therefore right hand drive.
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Are
Japanese imports legal for UK roads?
Yes, once certain minor modifications have been carried
out. Before any import less than 10 years old can be
registered for UK use it must pass a Single Vehicle
Approval test. The main changes required for a Japanese
car to pass the SVA are speedo from KPH to MPH, fitting
of rear fog light, and fuel filler neck restrictor.
Certain cars may need changes to lights, tyres and
non-standard accessories. If it's over 3 years old then
the vehicle will also need an MOT.
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| Aren't
the specifications different to UK cars ? yes
there are some differences between UK and Japanese
domestic market specifications, but on the whole these
differences are minor and cosmetic. Japanese vehicles
tend to be better equipped than their UK counterparts,
with electric windows, air conditioning
alloy wheels
and air conditioning just about standard on most
models. |
I
have not heard of some of the models ? Some
Japanese models are badged differently to similar UK
models. For Eunos Roadster read MX5, Pajeros are Shoguns
in the UK and Nissan Sunny's are Pulsars in Japan.
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I
thought the body panels were different to UK cars ?
the rear number plate surround panel may well be
different, but in the majority of cases the rest of the
body will be identical to UK specification. There is the
odd exception. For example the Japanese Toyota Estima
looks similar to the UK Toyota Previa, but is in fact
quite a bit narrower. Obviously in this case, whilst
most of the mechanical parts will be similar, few body
parts will be interchangeable.
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They
don't have any rustproofing do they ? because
the Japanese don't encounter salt and grit on their
roads and tend to rely upon winter tyres more than we
do, the under body protection of many, but not all,
Japanese domestic market vehicles is not up to UK
specification. As reputable import specialists we will
rectify this prior to sale. The upside of this fact,
often conveniently forgotten by detractors, is that even
the oldest of Jap imports can be free of all but the
most minor corrosion. Liberal application of cavity wax
now will ensure that in a few years time, there will be
some amazingly well preserved 15 year old sports cars
and 4x4's on UK roads.
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Can
I get spare parts for them ?
The majority of OE service parts are available
from the appropriate main dealer and aftermarket parts
from most factors. Even the fairly radical Mitsubishi
FTO which has only recently become available new in the
UK, utilises a lot of parts from the Galant, for
example. Very rarely have we been stuck for parts. In
the motor trade you can always rely upon specialists
filling a niche. There are certain obscure vehicles
available only in Japan where UK parts supply may be
problematic. These vehicles, such as the Nissan Figaro
and S-Cargo, we would only recommend to the most ardent
individualist. Similarly the
fitting of aftermarket (sometimes very radical) body
styling kits is very popular in Japan. Getting
replacement bits for the more weird and wonderful
conversions could be a bit of a nightmare.
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| Do
these differences make Japanese imports unsuitable for
UK use? in
the vast majority of cases a mainstream Japanese import
is a viable alternative to a UK supplied vehicle, with
better specification and this is the most important bit,
age for age, significantly less corrosion
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Can
I get an imported vehicle
insured ? This
may have been a problem a couple of years ago, but not
now if you use to a specialist insurer or broker. We
have often found that a change in insurance company from
an uncooperative one to a more enlightened firm has
resulted in a reduced premium. See
the question below regarding security and then check out
our insurance page.
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Do
Jap imports have any vehicle security fitted ? There
is very little car crime in Japan so generally there is
no demand for alarms or immobilisers. Some later and
more upmarket models will have a transponder type
immobiliser fitted as standard. Insurance companies
often require vehicle security to Thatcham standards.
Category 2 is an immobiliser only. Category 1 is an
alarm system with an immobiliser. Costs are
approximately £125 and £300 respectively.
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