Why should you consider buying a Japanese car online?
Generally, Japanese cars are kept at a high-quality standard, and many of these second-hand vehicles don't even have a lot of miles on them. Plus, buying online gives you access to a wide array of options. And the best part: most of the time, these vehicles tend to be on the affordable side.
How do you get started with buying a Japanese used car?
Usually, you will be able to access online platforms where you can see these cars, register with an account, and place your bid. These Japanese car auctions are very useful, and sometimes you can find some exceptional deals. If you want, you can also use Japanese exporter websites that will list cars for international buyers, and not just the local market.
If you choose to work with a car exporter, always check their reputation and reviews. See what services they provide, if they offer support in English or your local language, but also how transparent they are. Having all that info helps, and it shows the reliability of the dealer to begin with.
Selecting the best vehicle
Now that you know where to buy the Japanese car you want, it's crucial to figure out how to narrow down the right vehicle for you. Everyone has their own requirements, but in general, you want to focus on:
- “What kind of car do you need? Are you looking for a sports car, minivan, hatchback, sedan, SUV, or what else, exactly?
- Pinpoint the budget that you want to work with. An important, overlooked detail here would be added costs, such as taxes and shipping costs. Those are definitely something you need to take into account.
- Assess the car's history and features. You want to have a good idea of what you are getting for the money. That way, you can take an informed decision when buying your Japanese car.
- When importing a car from Japan, it makes sense to see whether there are import restrictions in your country.
Check the Japanese car auction sheet
What's great when you buy a Japanese car online via an auction is that every car has its own sheet. These sheets are filled with crucial car details, like the mileage, chassis number, model, and grading for the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Usually, the Japanese car auction sheet will feature inspector notes and a damage map, too. Checking the sheet helps you understand how damaged the car is, whether it needs repairs, if the mileage was messed with, and other important details.
Perform an inspection of the vehicle
Once you buy the car, you do want to ensure that the car is in the same condition outlined by the auction sheet. Working closely with an inspection service is important, as they will check the car and provide you with a detailed report. Usually, these reports include info related to the engine, interior and any possible red flags. When you work with a Japanese dealer/exporter like us, we can do the service for you, and you’ll have a peace of mind knowing everything is ok with the car!
Shipping and customs
Most of the time, the online dealer will handle any of the shipping details and the process as a whole. It's important to check how much the shipping costs, if there are any importing fees involved, and anything of that nature. Sometimes, you may need to choose the shipping company, and then you can see the arrival estimate, documents, and other details related to this process.
If you import a car, you will need to pay import duties. Depending on the country, you will have a specific number of regulations. Learn the requirements when it comes to importing stuff to your country, and see what paperwork is required. A good rule of thumb is to try and work with an importing professional or a broker. They can help you figure out any importing-related costs or requirements that you need to deal with.
Optional features
We should also note that the Japanese auction sheet integrates other information, like any optional features that the vehicle includes. It’s a good idea to check this section, because you can see what extra benefits you get with the vehicle purchase. That being said, common features include a navigation system, leather interior, a sunroof, improved engines, special wheel types, etc.
Always understand the total expenses related to buying a Japanese car
For a lot of people, it's very easy to misunderstand how much it will cost them to acquire and ship a Japanese car. They think that they have to deal with the sticker price, but it's not always the case. Instead, you have to pay taxes, shipping, customs duties, not to mention that some modifications might be required for the vehicle to run in your country legally. It's a good idea to take all of these things into account, not just the sticker price.
It's also crucial to work with a professional dealer when buying a Japanese car. That's because the more serious dealers will always help you with importing, shipping the car, and other things. Otherwise, you will have to do all those things on your own, which is difficult and quite expensive.
Check the car's warranty
We always recommend checking and see whether there's a warranty or any after-sales support. Not everyone is going to offer that, but it's important to assess and check anyway. That way, you will know exactly what you're getting, whether there are issues or challenges to deal with, and other relevant details.
Mistakes you want to avoid when buying a Japanese car
- Not checking any of the import laws is an issue; you always want to be up to date with any import laws before acquiring any vehicle from Japan.
- Don't ignore the auction sheet details. That's where you can find a lot of crucial details related to the vehicle, so keep that in mind.
- Skipping the post-import inspection is another common mistake. Try to avoid doing that
- Picking a random exporter is a problem. If anything, you want to perform your due diligence and pick an excellent exporter with transparency and good communication.
- And, as we said earlier, don't underestimate the costs related to buying a car. Ignoring any taxes, shipping, and import duties is a problem because these costs will always add up.
Closing thoughts
We believe it's incredibly important to know the ins and outs of acquiring a used Japanese car online. That way, you will know what issues to avoid and how to prevent any possible problems. Checking the car details, shipping and importing costs, but also the car's current state and repair requirements, all those things matter, especially when buying online. Use that to your advantage, follow these tips, and you won't have a problem buying your Japanese car online!
