What to look for in a Japanese used car

Generally you should be aware of several things when buying and importing a Japanese used car.

Once you are satisfied that you have found a good dealer, a good price on a car and understand the import costs and insurance, you are ready to buy!

Condition

Of course you have no opportunity to inspect the car so you should ask the dealer to send you the auction house vehicle inspection sheet.

You may be charged extra for a translation, or you can use the condition guide here, so you can assess it yourself. You should also get photos where possible.

Price

Prices of cars fluctuate weekly depending on various factors like holidays, season, number of cars for sale etc.

Get a rough idea of the auction price by asking several dealers for a quote for the car you want before choosing one.

Dealer

The quality of the dealer is also important so you should make sure to choose a well established and experienced dealer. See more in our dealer section.

Insurance

Before buying, check insurance prices and shop around. Imported models usually cost more to insure so make sure you understand the full costs before you buy.