Jap Car Imports

[Sportsman]

I,m thinking of buying a car from Japan via an import company in UK.

The car I am interested in is a Toyota Estima

MPV with 4wd.

Has anyone tried a Japanese import

Has anyone had an Estima

How did you find the experience

Thanks

Dave

[Jeff S]

Thinking about an impreza myself but was reading about the imports over the weekend. Be wary of them as some of the dealers won't touch them but there are enough specialists now that you may be able to find one that is willing to do the work. I've got an import from the US buying parts is the biggest problem.

[WalkerStalker]

i have toyota hilux surf import had no problems with getting parts, you,ll find some insurance companys wont insure imports but the ones that do will ask you to have a cat 1 alarm/immobiliser. i would try to buy one through a well known import company as ive heard some people trying to get crash damaged vehicles into the uk so check you get a legal import certificate when you buy yours

[snotty]

Take great care when buying imports, firstly make sure you get an import certificate, that's already been said, secondly its not cheap or easy to insure an import where the specification doesn't match exactly the spec available over here through the dealer.

Many companies won't touch them, others load the policy since many imports are better equipped and hence cost more to repair/replace. You can save yourself a packet on the price tag and end up forking out extra every year to insure it.

Thirdly, servicing, if you need dealer support you may not get it, it seems to be a matter of attitude some will some won't. Likewise with work which would ordinarily be done under warranty by a dealer.

Finally, you will have to arrange taxation (RFL) yourself probably, through your local DVLC centre if its not a british spec model.

 

Happy motoring!

[Chris Goddard]

I too have a SURF but mine is like most an import which has been owned by a UK person. From what I can see most of the companies are out like anything else I would say it is a case of BUYER BEWARE!!

There are some VERY good forums out there though and like this one there are some switched on kids who will bend over backwards to help you out.(http://uktoyotaestimasite.tripod.com/)

Good luck though whatever you do!!

 

[ 15. August 2005, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: Chris Goddard ]

[Sportsman]

Thanks everyone.

Chris, I had found the site, but thanks.

I have had a couple of decent quotes for the insurance, at our age with full no claims and a decent post code it's not too much of a problem.

The car were looking at is likely to be too old for warranty problems' and would be serviced by my local garage, who seems pretty able to turn his hand to most things.

Interested to hear about the Surf, fancy one of those for myself

[poledark]

Sportsman, there may be a problem with MOT if the vehicle is over 3 years old. I looked into this (my son in Japan was exporting vehicles etc to Nigeria) but it seemed to me that what with duties and other restrictions it wasn't worth it i.e it was just as cheap to buy in UK.

 

Den

[Elton]

Insurance higher? Rubbish.

 

Servicing costs higher? Really? I don't think so.

 

I've had jap imports, no problems.

 

In fact, I do a site for a jap car importer:

 

http://www.select-imports.org/

 

Most of the negative stuff you read is created to ensure that you buy a British car - i.e. pay more money for an inferior specification vehicle.

[Elton]

Den,

 

There are no problems with MOT's. The car would have to go though an SVA, or enhanced SVA, which is like a strict MOT. Unless you're the first person ever to bring that model over (my friends were with the new Evo 9), then it's no problem.

 

If the car is over 10 years old, even better - just stick an MOT on it and go.

[Ian FG]

I had a Jap import once, it had the speedo in kilometers and beeped continuously when you got to 100kmph (62mph) also the brake parts were a different spec to UK models and could only be got from Japan, but we are talking a few (quite a few) years ago.

 

Bloody good car though, lasted forever and have loved Jap cars ever since.