![]() They may satisfy European type approval laws, have similar specifications and be as easy to repair and to source parts for as UK cars, but used European cars imported from Japan appear to be more expensive to insure. However, every car is different in this respect, says Howe, with Volvos being among the more challenging.Īs the UK’s used car drought continues and more people are forced out of their non-ULEZ-compliant cars, a used Japanese import might just be the answer for a family car buyer on a budget. In the car’s system menu, the odometer and speedometer can be changed to read miles.Ĭonversions that are required usually concern updates to the navigation system. In addition, Howe supplies an export certificate, issued in Japan but partly written in English, that confirms details such as the vehicle’s chassis number and shaken record and that no finance is owing on the car, and either the service book or a print-out of the car’s digital service record, again written in English.īecause the imported cars were manufactured to meet EEA/UN as well as Japan type approval regulations, their factory-fitted lights satisfy UK road laws. Formed 20 years ago as part of a campaign to allow more imports of cars into the UK, the organisation is today recognised by government agencies.Ĭars that satisfy its checks are awarded a BIMTA certificate and a guarantee that the mileage is correct. The cars he imports have their mileages and provenance checked by the British Independent Motor Trade Association (BIMTA). “Full service histories – being digital means they’re easy to verify – are common, even on low-mileage cars, and many replacement parts are original equipment, fitted by main dealers.” “The typical ex-Japan car is in much better condition than a UK vehicle and has a lower mileage,” he says. He visits the country every couple of months to view cars and meet the agents who source them for his retail business, Winterstoke Motor Company near Bristol, and for other UK dealers he supplies. Neil Howe has been importing European cars from Japan since 2016. They have triggered a demand for family cars costing around £9000 that can enter the zones without attracting a charge. These penalise diesel cars below the Euro 6 emissions standard introduced in 2014 and petrol cars below Euro 4 (from 2005). ![]() It took off, though, with the creation of the UK’s low-emission zones in city centres. Gradually, a few used cars began to trickle back to the UK. The origins of the trade go back to 2008, when Japan’s and Europe’s type approval regulations became more closely aligned and European car makers began exporting their vehicles to Japan with features such as rear fog lights and headlight washers. The remaining 70% were Japanese cars: hybrids, MPVs, SUVs and some performance cars. Around 30% of them were European models, the majority Volksawgens but also BMWs, Mercedes, Audis, Volvos and Minis. In the first three months of this year, the UK imported almost 5000 used cars from Japan. However, they must have Japanese type approval. Most are petrol automatics and older than 10 years because Japan imports of this age are not required to be tested under the UK’s complex Individual Vehicle Approval scheme.
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