The Buying Process Explained

Once you have identified a vehicle type and given us your budget we can begin the process of aquiring the right car for you ~
Please remember that unless you are buying from stock that it can take anything up to 10 weeks for your vehicle to arrive at the port you have chosen ~

 

1. Place Your Order by

 

2. Deposit Payment
Pay a refundable deposit of £300 (or 10% whichever is greater). This shows a commitment to buy on your part.

 

3. We Begin Your Vehicle Search
Importal selects suitable vehicles to purchase on your behalf from our contacts at the auctions in Japan. We will then contact you by email, send you photos, descriptions and prices

 

If you change your mind or we do not find a suitable vehicle for you after many (6) attempts we will refund your deposit, minus £50 towards our costs incurred (car search, agents, phone calls to Japan, admin etc.).

 

4. Choosing Your Vehicle
The vehicle you wish to purchase will be inspected by our agents in Japan and if we are happy with the quality we will negotiate a price on your behalf, based on your budget requirements.

 

5. Auction Grades

The Japanese Auction Grading System is very thorough. More thorough than our own auction system, and each car or 4x4 is thoroughly inspected before auction.

 

Japanese emissions law is so strict that it is just cheaper for the Japanese to buy a new car after three years and let the old one go. This is why there are over 150,000 cars for sale every month in Japan and the East. And this is also why we are able to get such good deals on your behalf.

 

The Auction Grade is based on age, wear and tear, mileage and overall condition of the vehicle and is graded 1 to 5 (5 being the highest). We will usually look for a vehicle with at least a 3.5 or more grading. This should guarantee the best results.

 

6. Payment
Once we have secured and paid for your vehicle in Japan we will require the balance from you within 5 WORKING days. All necessary documentation for exporting will begin after confirmation of your payment. Once payment has been cleared we will arrange for your vehicle to be transported to a Japanese port and booked onto the next avaiable ship.

 

7. Shipment
All necessary documents for importing into the UK will be sent after the car has been loaded onto the vessel. We will send these documents on to you so that you can use them at the shipping agents to release your vehicle from customs. Upon Arrival (8-10 weeks) we will contact you to discuss any landed charges that are needed to release the vehicle from UK Port Authorities. Costs to be paid at this stage are ocean freight and shipping agent fee & any HMRC duties. We will factor these charges into your budget so that there will be no hidden costs.

 

8. Collect Yourself / Importal Delivery

The majority of our customers are so excited at the prospect of picking up their new car that they prefer to collect the vehicle themselves from the port. We are happy to do this for you, but as you may appreciate, there will be an extra charge for this service.

 

9. UK Preparation

  • Vehicles under 10 years old will require an IVA & MOT
  • Vehicles 10 years old or over only require an MOT

 You will also need to carry out the following;

  • Adding a rear fog light
  • Speedo conversion to MPH (not always required)

 

Once you have a valid MOT Test Certificate

You can apply to the DVLA to register the vehicle in the UK

 

10. Get Ready, Set -

Congratulations - Now you your car is legal and you are able to GO!


 

Please get in touch with us HERE to ask any questions