So why buy an import?

We are often asked why you should buy a Japanese import. This is a good place to start. Overcrowded roads and a premium on space means that Japanese cars have done considerably fewer miles than a vehicle of the same age in the UK. Vehicles registered in 1994 may have only covered 60 thousand miles (100,000klm). In winter, Japanese roads are unsalted which means that the bodywork and chassis have not been exposed to the same corrosive forces as a UK car.

What is the difference between an imported car and a UK car?

If you like the idea of tinted windows and air conditioning or climate control as standard then this is what you get on an import that you wouldn't find on an equivalent UK car. You might also get satellite navigation, cruise control and a great set of alloy wheels. In short Japanese cars offer a much higher specification than their UK counterparts. In most cases there is no difference at all except in name. Some models may have slightly different body panels or light clusters, but that's it.

What is the Japanese auction system like?

It's very different to the UK. Almost 100% of used cars in Japan change hands through the widespread car auction system. The car auction process in Japan is very different to the traditional UK car auction. For a start only dealers are allowed to attend and bid. Members of the public are not allowed in. The rules of buying and selling are very different.

How are cars graded?

Cars are left with the keys in the ignition, so that may be started up by would be bidders. This all follows a rigid mechanical and bodywork inspection where any faults including scrathches and dents are recorded on the auction sheet which is made available to buyers. The auction houses use a strict grading system for rating the cars, which is determined principally by the condition but also the age of the vehicle. We only buy vehicles with the top grading which means that we are confident of buying a car in the best of condition. A grade of 4.5 would normally be only allocated to cars which are a few years old. Occasionally you may find a 4.5 graded car amongst older vehicles but this is rare. Generally 4.5 means as new condition, and that the vehicle is totally blemish free. Grade 4 means that the car is in very good condition with the odd scratch, parking ding etc. Grade 3.5 means that the car is in slightly less good condition than a 4 graded car with more marks and dings to the bodywork etc. Grade 3 cars which many grey importers buy and sell to the public are something we never buy. They tend to be in much poorer condition, and show far greater evidence of wear and tear, and can be in very tatty condition. Interiors are also graded. We never buy cars which are 4 rated if the interior is shabby. Some dealers might, but we don't.

Why don't you sell cars that are less than 10 years old?

There is a 10 year rule imposed by DVLA. We only provide cars which have been registered over ten years ago. You may wonder why. This is because vehicles being imported from Japan which are under 10 years old are subject to the UK SVA Inspection by the Ministry of Transport. The SVA test is more stringent than the annual MOT and can be extremely expensive. For this reason we only import vehicles over 10 years old. It's that simple.

Customers are sometimes concerned that there is no discernible service history for the vehicles, because all the documentation is in Japanese. The Japanese MOT equivalent or 'Shaken' is much more thorough than our MOT and you can rest assured that all the vehicles that we buy have been well looked after in order to pass the Japanese strict test of roadworthiness. When you come to view the vehicles that we have on sale you will be impressed by the care that Japanese people take of their vehicles. You will be astonished by just how good they are! When we collect our cars from the port they are immediately provided with 12 months MOT. They are fitted with an MPH clock face and are fitted with a rear fog light. These are not compulsory in Japan, but they are in the UK. The strict emission controls imposed by the Japanese authorities are intended to make it comparatively more expensive for the Japanese motorist to run an older vehicle. The costs of passing the 'shaken' become increasingly expensive as the car ages. These factors combined with low interest rates on bank loans mean that Japanese people find it attractive to replace their cars more rapidly than we may do in the UK. That is why it makes a great deal of sense to buy a high quality import from 4x4foru!