Importing your first car directly from Japan can be a daunting task, here are some tips to help you get through it.
1) Find a good agent!
Most agents/brokers in Japan work out of an office and may never see the car they buy for you on your behalf. Ask your agent, “Will you come to the auction to see my car for yourself before we buy it?” Only the best will do this. When buying a used car and importing it, it is imperative that this be done to ensure the quality of what you are buying. Not all used cars are spotless!
2) Know what you want.
While this may be their first time to import, they will not be your agents in Japan. Make sure you know exactly what you want, Make, Model, Year, Ks, Condition, VIN if possible. This will build trust with your agent and they will work harder for you. It will also reduce the time it takes for me to send you accurate quotes that fit your order exactly.
3) Be sure to get a copy of the bid sheet.
Auction houses provide the auction sheet/report and are the third party between the seller of the car and his agent. Individual auction houses have independent professional inspectors who review the car, write a report, and also rate the car. They are an excellent indication of the condition of the car and are difficult to counterfeit (reference the chassis number on your invoice if you already bought it). The most basic details on the auction sheet will be the Grade of the auction, for example Grade R, this represents a car that has been in an accident and has been repaired. Ask your agent about the details, are you comfortable with a wrecked and repaired car? A basic rating to aim for would be around 3.5 to 4. A rating of 4 because it would indicate above average condition for that make and model with very little panel damage and no history of failure.
4) Price
It is not always wise to look up the price when buying a used car. Sometimes a 10% increase in budget can get you much more. If your agent in Japan is good, he will explain the difference on a particular unit. Most of the time, a cheaper price means higher ks and a lower quality car. Consider what you really want first and listen to the quotes, it’s a much better way to shop than price first.