Importing a 1999 car from Japan

[garethj]

Mrs_garethj has a shiny new (2003 so at least made in this century) car to drive around in, if I can only increase my incoming cash by a factor of 2 I can have something new too.

So this question isn't much more than navel gazing at this stage, but how easy is it to import and legaly register a car from Japan that's about 12 years old? From what I remember of importing old cars you need to pay import duty of 10% then vat on the whole lot including shipping, is that still right?

These funny looking things won't stop giving me the eye, the Honda UM-4 which is a kei car with the engine under the rear seat and 4WD.


I had a Suzuki Cappuccino when it was newish and I've had 2 Suzuki Whizzkids, I've got a soft spot for tiny cars. It seems that non-turbo cars are £700 which is insanely attractive if your core values are "just a bit fucking odd"

[Leonard Hatred]

I like the one with steel wheels especially. The amount of weird and mechanically diverse niche cars in Japan is incredible.

[Hirst]

I think they did these up to the early 2000s, so make sure you get one over 10 years old to avoid the SVA test. Old non-sport Kei-cars are worth buttons in Japan as there's little demand there for used ones but they're not attractive as imports either. You could probably get a real minter for £500, but there's a surprising amount of fees. I think as a minimum you need to stick about a grand on whatever the purchase price is.

[Barrett]

I can't add anything constructive except to say that those things look mental and you MUST DO THIS

[garethj]

Thanks, chaps.

Why are they worth so little when second hand? Is there a good website to browse for them, or just the one on the link?

[Hirst]

Kei-cars are generally thought of as semi-disposable as they don't cost a great deal new, so the market for older ones is pretty limited, unless they're a particularly unusual sporting one or similar.

[garethj]

Do you reckon one of these should be reliable transport? I suppose the non-turbo is probably better

A handy youtube advert

And a road test here. Looks like some parts from a Honda promo video early on with the layout shown, and quality cornering action at 4:10 on those 80 profile tyres!

Recent auction prices here seem to say they go for a grand plus shipping, vat, import duty and faffing about. I make that just over £2k all in which is quite pricey

[Leonard Hatred]

SMALL SUPER MOVER.

Those videos make it look even more appealing to be honest.
Do you reckon it shares anything with the Beat? At least they're reasonably popular in the UK, so parts might not be a problem.

[garethj]

This magnificent specimen went for £300 last month


http://www.japan-partner.com/car-auction/HONDA/Z/aSUZE42BlacIO3/auction-car-stat.html
How is it possible to get something so bonkers for so little money? If kei-sized shipping is cheapish too, this idea might be too sensible* to turn down. I'm in Hong Kong right now, heading to Taiwan tomorrow so digging the far eastern vibe, errrr, man.

Link to more of the little cuties here
http://www.japan-partner.com/car-auction/list.html?ys=&ye=&ds=&de=&ms=&me=&ps=&pe=&gr=&t=&tr=&r=&ta=&mk=5&md=633&m=2m&l=0&ls=&le=&mg=&a=2,13,16,26,29,32,34,35,38,50,55,57,60,62,76,80,78,83,85,87,89,90,95,111,113&so=t&sd=d

[I.K.Brunel]

rather than Kei-sized shipping, think regular-sized shipping and fill it with kei-sized things!
I bet if you whipped up some interest on the blue channel you'd be able to sell on the ones you don't need and achieve a break-even situation...