Another question - grey Japanese import? Bad idea?

413x

413x

413x

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I've seen a couple of VW tourans I've liked. But it looks like at the 6k price point they are either high milage (ie 100k.2.0 Tdi) or low milage jap import (50k 1.4 Tsi)

Initially I didn't think this was too much of an issue. But then I thought I might not keep this car long.
Obviously they are already discounted, but with no checkable history are these impossible to sell?

Even at a discount?

I note that we buy any car etc don't offer a price. Again. Understandable.

School me OCUK!
 
Have a read through this

JDM Import guide/walk through

Hi guys I thought Id share my experience as it happens while importing another car from Japan. Quite a few people ask me about the process and Ive had a few offers from people to take some cash and do it for them. So for this, I thought it would be a good thread to just update as it happens...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk

Its an awesome thread and I will venture down the import path at some point.
 
Very basic check for import is a car vx report (bassicly a car fax) and like all cars i recommend an inspection. It's not so common to get a service book with imports so be cautious if they have one it maybe legit or complete nonsense.
 
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Yeah that thread above has lots of good info.

I've had 2 jap imports myself and unless it was something very special i wouldn't bother again as i found it quite a headache.

There's nothing massive but there'll be lots of little things which are more of a pain compared to a UK car, depends if you're ok and got the time to deal with the extra stuff really.

Just for example spec is usually different and things like the fuse box diagram will be in Japanese, so you need to think ahead and get a print out before you're stuck on the side of the road trying to google which one is your wipers etc.

Also if you phone anywhere to get any parts a lot of the time your car wont show on their system so you have to manually check stuff, also lots of things can be different so you'll spend a lot of time on forums cross referencing part numbers etc then having to insist that the motor factor sells you this specific part number even though it 'doesn't match' your car.

Also insurance isn't necessarily much more expensive but you do need to declare it as an import, quite often they'll have different security systems so worth checking for that.

Also you can't trust any history, could have be wrapped around a lamp post and badly repaired and you'd never know, an HPI check won't do you any good there. Same goes for milage and service history, complete gamble.

If you're wanting a Nissan GTR then yeah sure it's fine as you know what you're getting into but for regular stuff it can just be a right old pain. Mine were a Subaru Impreza and a Honda Integra type R, so there were always special weekend type cars and 'cool' so i put up with all the faff when i was young to score the JDM scene points but even on popular cars like them it was still something i'd not want to do again personally as i didn't find the extra effort worth the trade off for a slightly cooler car vs something i could have got in the UK.
 
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As above. I looked in to this quite extensively and the faff is painful. The OP reads as though the car is already imported though, is it registered and ready to drive away?

If so that's a different kettle of fish. I know the Japs didn't have corrosion protection years ago as they don't salt their roads, no idea if that's still the case though.
 
Anyone can open a British Car Auctions account these days, get one and have a browse of auction prices before committing to the Japanese import option.
There are will be loads of VW Tourans of all ages and conditions going through BCA, all available for members of the public to bid on who hold an account.
 
Yes. It's already importanted.
And yes most of the points here are what I've been thinking about.

Is it worth it?
There's no history?
Whats resale value like?

Its not a special car no. It's more because many imports look in better condition and have much lower declared milage.

Lack of. Service history is a bit of a concern. But then, this is probably factored into the price.

Insurance/tax isn't an. Issue as i have checked both.
 
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Honestly, with examples like my link above, it would be things like Japanese language infotainment system, dials still in kph etc. that's I couldn't be bothered with the hassle of unless it was massively cheaper, before even worrying about sourcing parts or understanding fuse layouts
 
  1. Getting the sat nav to work
  2. FM bands are different and it might not have DAB
  3. Botched clocks KM to MPH or having to look at a KM and a secondary MPH one (VAG cars)
Satnav and DAB can be fixed with Carplay
 
david25 said:
  1. Getting the sat nav to work
  2. FM bands are different and it might not have DAB
  3. Botched clocks KM to MPH or having to look at a KM and a secondary MPH one (VAG cars)
Satnav and DAB can be fixed with Carplay
Click to expand...

For me I'd probably just replace the entire head unit.
The analogue speedo is only KM.. So would have to rely on the digital display.
I suppose it's not a deal breaker.
 
I don't get why someone would bother to import something mundane. Something you can only get in Japan, or is rare ok, but a VW?
 
There’s been an influx of European cars imported from Japan into the Uk in the last few years. Specs can be better in some cases but it does seem a bit of a ball ache, insurance is higher aswell.

That said a friend got a nice Up GTI and a 5 series, cars were excellent inside and out.
 
Nasher said:
I don't get why someone would bother to import something mundane. Something you can only get in Japan, or is rare ok, but a VW?
Click to expand...


Yes agreed, I suppose it is pricing but on a moderately priced car are the savings worth the downside?
 
Nasher said:
I don't get why someone would bother to import something mundane. Something you can only get in Japan, or is rare ok, but a VW?
Click to expand...

I bought a Jap VW Sharan from a UK dealer.

It's a twin charged 1.4 TSI CTH.

Top spec of everything. The head unit is an upgraded Android Auto, tinted rear windows, electric sliding doors, which you can operate from the key fob, cornering headlights and it parks itself. I was looking for was a comfortable seven seater and that the dials had been done / changed to MPH. Everything else, I just got lucky. It's been great. I really love driving it. But, it's had some expensive things done. The only thing I would love in addition is active cruise control.

At my age, insurance doesn't seem excessive. I can get 36 MPG on motorway run. It's a little engine pulling a big car.

Tyres were replaced straight away as the old ones were branded and cracked. The air conditioning compressor was replaced under warranty.

One headlight control unit needed replacing after the last MOT. The water pump stared making noises and needed replacement. The electric tail gate boot struts were replaced.

The headlining is sagging a little in places, but that's an expense for another day.

I'm happy with it and that's the main thing. The kids love it. With Android Auto, we can all ask for the songs we love and the audio sounds fantastic.

I'm on top of all other service items.

Would I do it again, maybe.
 
413x said:
For me I'd probably just replace the entire head unit.
The analogue speedo is only KM.. So would have to rely on the digital display.
I suppose it's not a deal breaker.
Click to expand...

Yes, just do your research on the headunits, VAG cars in from the Golf MK7 era seemly impossible to swap.
 
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