Buying From Importers

[CrashBangWallop]

Good evening,

I was thinking of buying a car from one of the Japanese importers. I'm in no rush. So, I want to find out as much as I can about the process Has anyone ever used one? If so, can you recommend any? It sounds like an easy process, but, of course, they would say that.

Thanks,

Neil

[markcoopers]

No specific knowledge of any importers, but have some of imports.

Often the speedo is in KPh, so needs converting. Often need a rear fog light fitting. Needs proper registrating in the UK, which should also come with SVA/IVa or what ever it is these days. Bodywork on amny models was never rust proofed like UK cars, so establish what is/will be done. Some odd modles run on different grade of fuel so again check that the chip/mapps have been changed....mostly connected to older ricers if honest.

Above all, check the legals about who owns the car/has title or property in it and when does the risk and ownership transfer. THis might come down to Incoterms, which i can help you with as i spend a good proportion of my time exporting goods. Check how packed and insured and who will clear customs etc as you will have to pay the duty and prove ownership, but may not be able to drive it away depending on registration/inspection and tax.

If you are buying on pic and spec i would be very aware, even if the company has a local representative that will "check the car for you". Many horror stories connected to this. Personally i would only start with a company doing the purchasing and buying to your spec, where you pay nothng until you see the car. Yes you will pay more but this is in essence your insurance. Some will ask for deposit/locating fee, but again would be carefull about any cash up front deal until you understand your obligations and theirs with regards to the car matching the description.

Lastly many fall outside the law covering traders as they are selling you a service not a car, and check the country of legal dispute if one arrises in the contract. Some times this will be the Japaneese law and courts, so good luck with that.....Uk courts or chambers of commerce etc are a lot easier to work with.

Good luck and what are you getting?

[CrashBangWallop]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the info.

The sites that I looked at said the odometer conversion, fog light, SVA, etc. is all done by them and included in the price. Some want a small deposit, with a larger payment before it arrives in the UK. Then, full payment before the car is picked up. I didn't find any that didn't need payment until I saw the car.

I've been hankering after a Skyline for a long time and, now that my last car has been sold, I'm in no need for a daily driver any more. Before I start saving in earnest, I want to try and learn as much about the process (and the car) as possible.

I'll buy from a UK owner, as long as it hasn't been seriously molested. I'd like a bog-standard car, if they still exist.

Thanks,

Neil

Edited February 3, 2012 by CrashBangWallop

[markcoopers]

I would imagined that the process is well documented on some skyline forum, or on the Honda dc5 type r forums etc, they all import them.

[lloydox]

hi Neil i worked for a importer up till last year and what mark is saying is spot on only other thing is if the car is over ten years old it will not have to have an IVA test just the fog light and speedo converter for the MOT also check the mileage on the auction details from japan as a lot of cars get a hair cut when they are converted from kph to mph the skylines tend to be better undersealed than most of the other imports as standard

[CrashBangWallop]

I would imagined that the process is well documented on some skyline forum, or on the Honda dc5 type r forums etc, they all import them.

Yeah. I've joined the Skyline-owners-club website recently. I've got a lot more posts here than there, though. Hoped I get a more thorough explanation here. So, I'm slightly better informed when I ask over there. It made sense in my head at the time, anyway. :-) Something in the past tells me that Skylines were never sold in Britain and that they're all imports.

Lloyd? You're obviously going to be biased, but are there any aspects I particularly need to keep an eye on, if I do decide to get an import? I'm wary of them MOT'ing their own cars, if they do? Do they give any guarantee (3 months, perhaps) or are they purely a go-between, as Mark says? You worked at one. Would you use one? They seem to be the only way of getting an import... short of going out there myself. Always fancied Tokyo. :-)

Thanks guys,

Neil