How much does it cost?

There are several costs involved in buying a used car from Japan's auctions.

Dealers charges may vary depending on their policy but here is a general breakdown of the costs involved when you buy a car.

Remember if you are unsure ask, and always get an itemised bill to show what you were charged.

In general there are two types of payment.

FOB (Free on Board) or Car price + FOB charge:

The price should include the cost of the car and export & customs fees at the Japanese end. This type does not include shipping costs.

CIF (Car cost + Insurance + Freight)

This option is the most frequent when you buy cars online in Japan and should include all of the associated costs involved in importing a used car to your country, except customs duties and vehicle testing etc at your end.

Example breakdown

Here is an example of costs for an import to the UK in 2005.

£1105.88 (Winning auction bid)
£552.94 (FOB Japan)
£125.67 (Extra transportation fees)
£50.27 (Marine Insurance)
£21.50 (Bank Wire Transfer Fee)
£250.00 (UK Dealer Service Charge)
£41.00 (Full Speedo Dial Kit - Can get it cheaper at £15.00)
£400.07 (Freight)
£170.00 (Cost at docks to deship the car: Shipping agents fees £40, Insurance £15, Documents £20, Clearance £50, Deferment £25, and Hand over £20.)
£151.25 (Duty)
£308.66 (Vat)

£3177.17

MOT, Road Tax, Service, Insurance, DVLA Registration, and Number plates are not included in this breakdown.

Here is a more detailed list of possible costs.

Car price

Most dealers have a stock of used cars you can buy straight away and which you know the price of. However if you want something specific you will usually have to send the dealer an email and request what you are looking for together with your budget.

However as so many cars get auctioned daily the dealer will usually be able to find what you are looking for at your requested price or budget.

Dealer fees

Dealers may charge fees for their search and services seperately or add it into the cost of the final price. There is no set rule or standard to follow for this.

Dealers may have a set fee or charge a percentage of the final price. If in doubt ask.

Customs, taxes and car registration

Finally when your car gets to your country you will have to ensure all the appropriate customs duties and taxes have been paid before your car is released. Sometimes the dealer will organise this sometimes not so again make sure what is included in the price. You will also have to pay to register your car with the vehicle authorities in your country.

Steering conversion

All Japanese cars are Right Hand Drive so if you need to have a steering conversion done this will be extra. Sometimes you can get the conversion arranged by the dealer, otherwise you will have to find an engineer in your country to do it. Also, many conversion kits are available.

Shipping fees

This is the cost to get the car to a port in your country. Again sometimes included in the price or added seperately. One thing to make sure of is that marine insurance is included in the price. Marine insurance covers damage to your car while in transit on the boat and usually is included in the cost of the shipping fees. If in doubt ask.

Rates are calculated in cubic meters (width x length x height) of your car.