Buying and importing a car from Japan

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Anyone done it?
I've been looking at buying a Mitsubishi Pinin, which is a Pajero io in Japan.
So far I've looked at 4 in the UK, and all have various amounts of rust, some quite bad, as I have posted quite recently.
Looking over at those for sale in Japan, they are super cheap, and little or no rust!
The 'JDM' ones where also made in Japan, were as the European ones where made in Italy, so chances are better steel and better assembly!!
I've found one, 20 years old, 91K Kms, looks in good condition (see pics) and only $450 FOB
There appears to be quite a few Japanese export/shipping agents and their quoted delivery price (inc. purchase) to the UK varies from between $1,700 to over $2,000.
Once in the UK you have import tax 10%, then 20% VAT, and a nominal port handling fee (£200 ish I think).
So by the time you have done, about £2,000.
You then have to put on a fog light, MOT and register it.
It would be no cheaper then compared to a typical UK one, but I would expect to be in much better condition.
Any one any experience of importing a Japanese car?

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midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
Mike
Atholl speaks the truth, John is Mr Shipper, according to his business card he also converts virgins and other nefarious tasks...

However Pajero does mean w - anchor in Latin America, and they ARE fugly! Just saying! LOL (think I've covered myself there)
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
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21,014
Yeah, oddly the Mitsubishi W@nker never sold well in Spain. I forget what it's called in Spanish-speaking countries. I think non-W name was used in the Mid East as well.
 

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
14,994
Mike, that’s a lot of trouble to go to just to import some old scrap. There’s a good reason there are so few to pick from over here; I’m sure the penny will drop eventually. :)
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
He didn't ask you lot what you think of the car. Import what you want to Mike, at that money it seems clever to look to bring in a rust free one.
 

whereskeith

Member
Messages
821
I used John to bring in the GTR from the USA.. he knows his stuff and gets all the difficult bits sorted, would reccomend.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
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8,796
My nephew lives in Japan and is a car nut, so maybe he could look one over for you if near Tokyo.....
 

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,952
Well done for finding some value. I was in Japan recently and looked at Honda (original) NSX prices - through the roof!
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
Check out this place they're in Middlesbrough but they specialise in Japanese imports they might be able to help. They even have a few masers
https://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/showroom/mitsubishi

those shogun evo dakars are superb and aggressive looking motors, I do like the bubble arch look, now if a dealer is asking 15k which presumably includes a very good profit margin, I'm wondering how much are they actually selling for in Japan, might be worth importing direct if contacts in Japan, shipping is easy from and to Southampton.
 

dgmx5

Member
Messages
1,142
As you say, would be worth a look. Mind you buying from auction unseen half way across the world... what could possibly go wrong? There's a huge slug of tax in there too.
 

lifes2short

Member
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5,821
I used these people when I imported an Alfa Junior GT a few years back from South Africa, they're in Southampton and have offices/agents all over the world, dead easy, they took care of collecting the car from the private seller and all the paperwork and duties payable once it landed in Southampton. If memory serves me right it only cost me £900 for the actual shipping and an extra £300 to collect from seller, but that was about 6 years ago now

https://www.2wglobal.com/
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
As you say, would be worth a look. Mind you buying from auction unseen half way across the world... what could possibly go wrong? There's a huge slug of tax in there too.

agreed, you would need a friend or contact out there to at least check it out at auction before bidding