| Japan has been a rich source of used cars for | | | | your local department of motor vehicles if in |
| many years and each day thousands of people | | | | doubt. You don't want to be left on the docks |
| buy a used car direct from Japanese car | | | | with a bill for several thousand to make the |
| auctions.The benefits are many:Good quality, | | | | car conform before you can take it |
| reliable, economical and famous Japanese | | | | home!Sending the requestIf the dealer has a |
| brands such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan and | | | | stock of cars you can request on shown on |
| Mitsubishi.Low milage. Most cars come with | | | | their website in which case you will know the |
| less than 100,000 kilometers on the clockGood | | | | price and details of the car.However if you |
| condition. Regular servicing and repairs due | | | | are looking for something specific then you |
| to strict Japanese Government safety | | | | will have to send the dealer an email |
| checks.Many options. Many owners choose | | | | describing what you want. Most dealers have |
| several options, so your car will come | | | | some sort of request form on their |
| feature packed.Cheap! Cars can start at | | | | website.ConfirmationIf you are buying from |
| auction for 1 yen, although you'll probably | | | | stock then you will usually get a faster |
| pay a little more than that!And more... | | | | confirmation of purchase. If you request |
| | | | something else then the dealer will have to |
| In this article I'll cover the following | | | | search for what you requested at an auction |
| points to help you understand the Japanese | | | | and send you details of prices and |
| used car market and make a more informed | | | | specifications. It is then up to you to |
| choice about buying a car for export to your | | | | confirm or ask for a different model |
| country. | | | | etc.PaymentOnce you have decided on a car and |
| | | | price you will be required to pay for it. |
| | | | Methods and amounts vary by dealer.Some |
| | | | dealers require you pay 100% upfront with by |
| Japanese used car dealers | | | | bank transfer (or telegraphic transfer T.T.) |
| | | | before the car is bought at auction or |
| The buying and importing process | | | | readied for shipping. Others require a less |
| | | | amount as a deposit and then a balance on |
| Japanese used car dealersThe process of | | | | completion of purchase at auction or when the |
| buying and importing a used car has become | | | | car is ready for shipping.You may feel |
| much easier with the advent of the internet. | | | | nervous sending money to a foreign country |
| There are thousands of dealers throughout | | | | and unknown company so you should be sure of |
| Japan and around the world who have websites | | | | the dealers trustworthiness before you enter |
| offering cars they have in stock, or offering | | | | into a contract or send any money. You can do |
| a custom car search service where they take | | | | this by checking to see if the dealer |
| your specifications and search the auctions | | | | displays a company registration number and |
| until they find a car to match your exact | | | | address on their website, then ask the |
| needs.There is a wide variety of export car | | | | Japanese embassy in your country for |
| dealers. Some dealers are huge organisations | | | | confirmation - although this may take a long |
| dealing with large volumes of cars while | | | | time and cost you extra.You can also check |
| others are single entrepreneurs who run their | | | | the bank account. Japanese banking laws are |
| own businesses. Of course the larger a | | | | strict when it comes to monetary movements |
| company the bigger the overheads and so | | | | and bank accounts. All registered businesses |
| probably you'll end up paying slightly more | | | | are required to have their accounts under |
| in dealer fees, but you get more security | | | | exactly the same name that they registered |
| from dealing with an established business. | | | | their company.If you are buying a used car |
| The choice between price and reliability is | | | | online from Japan and the name on the bank |
| yours.The Japanese Government recognised | | | | account is different from the name of the |
| JUMVEA (Japanese Used Motor Vehicle Exporters | | | | trading company, or if its an individual, |
| Assosciation) maintains a member list of | | | | then you should investigate |
| companies which "was created to address this | | | | more.DeliveryDelivery times will vary |
| problem [of poor quality cars and dealers], | | | | according to distance and number of ships to |
| being composed of used car exporters of | | | | your country. Here is a rough guideline. |
| excellent credentials and high credibility" | | | | |
| JUMVEA website.Their aim is to give | | | | Russia and Hong Kong: three days |
| membership to those companies which show | | | | |
| their reliability and service over time, so | | | | New Zealand and Australia: three weeks |
| if you are particularly worried about trust | | | | |
| then look for a company with this | | | | Rest of world: between four to six weeks |
| accreditation. You can check the list of | | | | |
| members on the JUMVEA website, and accredited | | | | There may be other times to include in the |
| members will proudly display their membership | | | | delivery period such as a deregisteration |
| on their website.However not many companies | | | | certificate for the Japanese owner which |
| have JUMVEA membership so before buying from | | | | shows the car has been sold by him, and |
| a non member do the following checks:See if | | | | finding a space on a boat to your port. These |
| the exporters bank details are listed on the | | | | extra processes can take up another four to |
| websiteCall the company at least once to ask | | | | six weeks.ArrivalYour car has arrived at your |
| about any questions you may have. Bona fide | | | | port and now you have to pick it up. Take the |
| companies will have no problems with talking | | | | documentation which the dealer sent you to a |
| to you over the phone, although be patient | | | | shipping agent who will arrange the |
| with their English abilty!Ask for | | | | offloading of the car from the ship.Depending |
| testimonialsCheck the quality of response to | | | | on your country's laws you may have to pay |
| your enquiries. If the dealer is obscuring or | | | | import tax, licence the car, get car safety |
| dodging an issue then move on | | | | tests done, and insure the car.Now your car |
| | | | is legally imported and in your hands. Drive |
| In general use your common sense and if | | | | home carefully!Summary |
| something is suspicious or dosent feel right | | | | |
| then don't proceed and find another | | | | In conclusion buying and exporting a used |
| dealer.The buying and importing processCheck | | | | Japanese car is fairly straightforward, and |
| your country's lawBefore importing check your | | | | can save you a fair bit of money compared to |
| country's rules for importing used cars to | | | | buying a car in your own country. Choosing a |
| make sure you are allowed to import the car | | | | reputable firm is probably the biggest |
| you want. Most countries have liberal laws | | | | priority to ensure a smooth transaction, and |
| and are mostly concerned with emissions and | | | | you should be aware of any extra costs your |
| safety standards.However these can add extra | | | | government may impose to make the car conform |
| to the cost of importing so make sure you | | | | to safety and emission standards.For more |
| research the compatibility of the model you | | | | information please visit the Japanese used |
| want with laws in your own country. If you | | | | car exporter portal. Includes detailed |
| choose a car which is way outside the limits | | | | information, dealer directory and car |
| then you could be spending a large amount to | | | | reviews. |
| make it conform.Check with the dealer and | | | | |