Importing from Japan (1 Viewer)

[Tiff]

Hi there, I would like to import a motorhome from a vehicle auction in Japan but would like some advice before taking the plunge.

Has anybody done this before? My understanding is that I need to contact a Japan based agent that will bid on my behalf and take care of everything until it reaches a UK port and then it is up to me to sort out the registration and other legalities.

If anyone could offer any advice on the process I would be very grateful!

 

[maz]

Hi and welcome to the Fun! :welcome:

I know nothing about importing from Japan but I'm really curious ............ What's so special about the van you're interested in in Japan? Especially if it's your first motorhome? :Confused:

 

[Snowbird]

Have noticed a few Japanese motorhomes coming onto the UK market recently. I think its something like the glut of 4 X 4s we had here a few years ago. Some of the ones I have seen seem quite well finished and with all the toys as standard.

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[pappajohn]

What's so special about the van you're interested in in Japan?

recent year, comparatively cheap and low mileage.

MOT in Japan costs £1200, takes up to 3 days and, after the first 3 years (same as us), is bi-annual until the car is 7 years old then annual.
and ythats just one of the annual expenses.

running an older car/motorhome in Japan is cost prohibitive so they get exported while relatively new.

only thing, most of the exports are small PVC's...mazda bongo type vans.

 

[tofo]

Hi there, I would like to import a motorhome from a vehicle auction in Japan but would like some advice before taking the plunge.

Has anybody done this before? My understanding is that I need to contact a Japan based agent that will bid on my behalf and take care of everything until it reaches a UK port and then it is up to me to sort out the registration and other legalities.

If anyone could offer any advice on the process I would be very grateful!

Here is a starter list

.


If you have sky mike brewer of wheeler dealer bought at auction
In Japan to sell on in Japan he had to use a agent for the process

Can't remember the name of the program sorry
:thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[Tiff]

Hi there, I'm Kevin, Tiffany is my better half. I meant to make a joint account with both our names as both of us will be posting.

Reasons for wanting a Japanese motorhome are many: as John said, their mot equivalent tests are much stricter than ours, which usually means they take better care of their vehicles and are very well maintained. They're ultra reliable, usually fully equipped and always rust free due to the Japanese not using salt on their roads. As we are keen snowboarders, it will also be used to drive to the Alpes and other far away snow covered lands, and a lot of them have 4wd and low ratio gearboxes for snow covered mountain roads. I'm a firm believer in Japanese engineering, and as I'm sure anybody who has experience with them will agree, efficiency and reliability is something they do very well. Plus I like the look of them, many of their vehicles come with personal touches and 'cool' add-ons.

Hah, reading that back makes me sound like I'm trying to sell a jdm motorhome, not buy one!

Also, I've been through the land of google looking for answers, but there isn't anything quite like first hand experience, this forum looks active and lively so it makes sense asking questions here. Hopefully when all's said and done, this will be a nice resource for the next person googling for answers.

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[vwalan]

have a look here and see other items .there are all sorts of m,homes being built in japan and have been for years .Link Removed
i saw some nissan ones about twelve years ago in wales in a garage . nearly bought one .

 

[greyman1]

it sounds like the vehicles you are looking at are more of the 4wd bongo campervan variety rather than actual motorhomes .if that is the case and you are not going to purchase a new one, then there is absolutely no need to have to buy at auction in japan ,just go to one of the "grey import" auctions that are held here in the uk ! that way you do not need to put your faith in a agent or get involved in the shipping ! what you do need to be careful of is , "type approval" status and the compatability and availability of spares [esp electronic 4wd systems ] another thing to bear in mind, is that a lot of these vehicles are not converted into campervans untill they get here anyway, so you might still have to allow for some conversion costs in your budget ! hope this info helps. regards garry

 

[vwalan]

lots are identical chassis to what we have here in uk .
have a look at the link i put up above you may not realise just whats happening .
there is awhole marketr of japanese m,homes there will be lots more coming this way soon . aus etc already have them .

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[Tiff]

That ELF is exactly what we're after, but over priced in my opinion. I've been down to look at one of that sellers vehicles, and was less than impressed to say the least. He refuses to answer simple questions like date of import, or year of manufacture, it just makes me not want to trust him to be honest.

I would rather do more leg work, save myself their profit margin, know more info about the motorhome, and be able to choose a particular vehicle from the auctions.

 

[Tiff]

The ELF, Dyna, Camroad and Hiace all share chassis and parts with UK vehicles.

 

[vwalan]

i dont know him .saw some in wales once on the long way back from malvern via wales to cornwall . there was someone sussex way a few years ago bringing them in . i looked at a 4x4 mitsubishi up that way . i agree it may be cheaper doing it yourself .
i,m not exactl took by the layouts but i believe this is the start of a big japanese or chinese invasion of vehicles . its been growing over the years . toyota dyna,s are being made in portugal along with mitsubishi trucks . mine was built in portugal . most mitsubishi canters here were . jap or chinese is the way forward these days forget european companies they will be closing soon .
i have visited the mitsubishi and the toyota plant in portugal . they do a lovely 4x4 dyna . we had a play in it . dynas in portugal go up to 7.5 tonners . i have a catalogue here .
they are built in olho marinho not far from peniche on the west coast .
friendly crowd made us very welcome . do a nice triple cab chassis and cab .make a great mini artic .

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[TheBig1]

be careful importing unseen as apparently there are thousands of vehicles damaged in the tsunami a couple of years ago being sold for parts. unscrupulous dealers clean them up and sell them on hiding the evidence to make huge profits

 

[Terry]

Hi and welcome :thumb: afraid you will have to pay the tenner and become a full member Best money you will spend
As already been said you can buy from grey import auction in this country held near Liverpool, I think you can also get a agent there who will buy and import direct from Japan :thumb: but you have to wait for shipping.
You can always ask at Wellhouse leisure, not sure how informative they will be though
Terry

 

[vwalan]

my bongo came in via southampton . the chap that i bought it off buys loads at the docks .not sure how .but he was selling several a week a few years ago.

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[Terry]

THESE GUYS LOOK HELPFUL
Link Removed
terry

 

[TheDogMan]

I had a Nissan Figaro few years ago, straight from Japan via dealer in Sussex, low miles great condition, he had an agent there and checked the auction listings in the part of Japan that has better weather and then the agent did the hands on check and bid on them sometimes with the UK dealer on the mobile at the same time, The Figaro trade was very strong so all the auction ones that were unsold were sent to auction over here, I saw them at the Southampton auction, some of them were pretty rough and went dirt cheap which is why they did not sell in Japan, the bodge & fill dealer brigade bought them here !!
You need a reliable agent and you need to trawl the auction listings, BUT, you will have to pay unseen and risk being defrauded oh: or buy a ticket go ypourself and work with the agent there who will arrange the shipping. It is quite correct about the cost of ownership of older vehicles plus the pride of the Japanese people means they like to have newer vehicles, Australia has been the traditional dumping ground including some nice motorhomes there are quite a few specialists in OZ who convert 28 seat bus's and they are very smart

good luck
Dave