In Japan
In Japan all new vehicles are sold with a warranty of fitness called the 'shaken' test, from new this is valid for three years then it is mandatory to pass this test every two years there after. The 'shaken' test is allot stricter than the UK equivalent MOT test and often costs the owner around £1000 or more. It is because of this expense and inconvenience to the owner that there is very little second hand market in Japan and most vehicles are sold through auction houses, giving us in the UK very well maintained and cared for second hand Japanese import cars with huge savings.

Because of fierce competition between vehicle manufactures in Japan, so called options that we have to pay extra for like air conditioning, alloy wheels, power steering and electric windows are almost standard on every vehicle. Offering a much higher specification than UK models.

At Auction
example of an auction report

Japanese auction grading:
9: Not registered car or first registration is within one month (mileage below 500km)
8: Excellent condition and no repair work needed (first registration is within 6 months and mileage below 3,000km)
7: Excellent condition and no repair work needed (first registration is within 12 months and mileage below 10,000km)
6: Excellent condition and no repair work needed (mileage below 30,000km)
5: Very good condition and no repair work needed (mileage below 60,000km)
4.5: Good condition and repair work is maybe unnecessary
4:  Good condition but little repair work maybe needed
3.5: Some repair work needed or slightly higher mileage than average
3: Many repair work needed or high mileage
2: Condition is bad and debased or affected car (submergence, damaged from salt, hailstorm etc.)
1: Heavily modified car
A: Accidented and repaired car
A1: Slightly accidented and repair car

Shipping
Once your new Japanese import car has been purchased through us at auction we will arrange delivery on the next available vessel, once loaded the average sailing time from Japan to the UK is about four weeks. We will automatically arrange marine insurance on every vehicle that we obtain for our customers.

In the UK
Upon arrival of imported vehicles into the UK, 10% import duty and 17.5% VAT must be paid to HM Customs and Excise, (we arrange this for you) before any vehicle can leave the docks.

Vehicles that are 10 years and older only require rear fog lights fitting and a m.o.t certificate before they can be registered and driven in the UK.

Vehicles under 10 years old require a s.v.a (single, vehicle, approval) and fitting of rear fog light, fuel filler neck restrictor, Speedo conversion and possibly more depending on the exact vehicle, and a MOT certificate before they can be registered and driven in the UK.

Vehicles under 10 years old and later than 1997 require e.s.v.a (extended, single, vehicle, approval) this incurs extra costs of hiring a model report for the vehicle, and fitting of rear fog light, fuel filler neck restrictor, Speedo conversion and possibly more depending on the exact vehicle, and a m.o.t certificate before they can be registered and driven in the UK (we will advise you on costs involved before you bid on a vehicle regarding e/s.v.a tests).

Maintenance
Most garages and even main dealers carry diagnostic equipment that will communicate with nearly all makes and models, even vehicles that where never produced for the UK market like Mitsubishi fto's have specialised repairers and owners clubs proving that there is support and knowledge widely available to you.

Insurance
Due to the massive increase in imported vehicles there are lots of insures specialising in imported vehicles at very competitive prices proving that insurance is not a problem.

Gold Service £300 + V.A.T

We will advise on all vehicles that fit your criteria then bid on your behalf and supply all information needed to import your vehicle from Japan to your choice of port (Southampton or Liverpool). We will advise you how and when to pay the auction house, shipping and customs & excise. You must collect your vehicle yourself from the docks and arrange for your vehicle to be registered by yourself. (We will still be here to offer advice on the quickest and cheapest way for you to do this).