Importing Cars from Japan

A Japanese used car exporter should be on your list if you are shopping for a second hand car. You could narrow down your list of Japanese used car exporter companies by looking for those who refurbish instead of sell used cars as-is. The difference between the two is that a refurbished car has been fixed up and gone through some work to make it more roadworthy. The refurbished used cars are sold at a higher price so this may be something that may change your mind if you are buying on a tight budget.

Buying used cars as-is should not be dismissed completely. It would really be a big savings for you provided you find the right importer. As in any industry, there are the scalawags and the legitimate. It’s not going to take a full blown investigation to find the reliable importer. The important thing is not to be tempted by cheaper than market prices on used cars.
There are some buyers who don’t want to buy a car that looks like a second-hand unit, and so automatically they should only buy refurbished. Other buyers are more concerned about mechanical soundness and making sure engine-wise, there are no problems.  They relax more on the exterior requirements because they know that over time, the car can be fixed up and spruced to look better under their terms and budget limitations. In some cases, they would even know someone who could fix up the car for a big discount thereby increasing their savings on any modifications they would want done to the car.
The truth is, it’s far better to buy a car that will run perfectly than one that looks perfect. Here are other guidelines for buying from an importer:
  • Know the market value of the car you want to buy
  • Research on resale value in case you want to unload the car after a few years
  • Know where to buy spare parts
  • Have the car inspected by a trusted mechanic
  • Check the history of the car
  • Ask for the import tax receipts and car registration papers. These should be in English
  • Find out the process for having an imported car transferred to your name as new owner and how much it would cost
Reference:

How do Japanese Take care of their cars

The second largest domestic automobile market in the world is in Japan with the five major manufacturers namely Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi and Mazda challenging furiously for sales through bulky and wide-ranging new and used car networks. If you are thinking to buy Japanese used cars, it’ s a very good option. All the companies in Japan provide a three-year “shaken” warrant of fitness which must be renewed after expiration by paying a certain amount of money. A renewed “shaken” then remains good for 2 years, but consistently must be renewed every two years for the life of the vehicle. So, when you buy a Japanese used car, you are very much in a good situation.

Japanese cars are famous for their superior engineering, good worth and consistency. Japanese drivers give personal attention to maintain their cars cosmetically and mechanically. Most of the visitors in Japan are surprised by the way the cars are maintained by the owners. The reason behind these well maintained cars is because of the Japanese people who take such pride in their work, have such dignity to drive cars that only look like new, etc.

Another expensive reason behind this is that the cars more than 3 years old need to have a mandatory maintenance check every other year, broken or not. The expenses involved in this process vary according to the size and area of the car. Japanese cars are usually equipped with many options like auto air conditioning, power steering, power windows, air bags, ABS, and more, come with the car, all which needs are proper maintenance. Japanese drivers generally keep their cars in immaculate condition and well serviced.

Japanese cars are admired in the world for less engine troubles. In the event of an accident; cars are always replaced with new parts in the exterior as well as the interior. The Japanese used cars shows good fuel efficiency. Automatic transmission is better in Japanese used cars than the others.

It is assumed that Japan is the best place to buy used cars mainly because of the kind the care that is taken by the car owners in maintaining their cars. Considering these facts, one can safely believe and appreciate the popularity of Japanese used cars as they are economical and an obvious value for money and high quality.The Japanese Government has a very strict car safety system which increases the cost of ownership over time. So drivers prefer to buy new cars and put the old one up for auction.

The average Drivers’ age in Japan

In Japan, a driving license is necessary while driving or operating an automobile, motorcycle or moped on public roads. prefectural governments’ public safety commissions issues the driving licenses and are checked and examined by the National Police Agency on a nationwide basis.

Japan’s large metropolitan areas in the region of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are served by extremely well-organized public transportation systems. Consequently, many residents do not own a car or even a driver’s license. Outside the big cities, however, public transportation tends to be inconvenient, and most people rely on a car.The typical speed limits are 80 to 100 km/h on expressways, 40 km/h in urban areas, 30 km/h in side streets and 50 to 60 km/h elsewhere. Drivers usually exceed the speed limits by about 10 km/h.

Drivers generally tend to be well mannered and caring. Some dangers on Japanese roads comprise drivers speeding over intersections despite the traffic light turning red, people stopping their vehicles at the edge of the street in a way in which they block traffic, and cyclists driving on the wrong side of the road.

Road crashes are the solitary major killer of 15-24 year-olds in industrial countries. Young drivers are not just a danger to themselves; they also cause a greater risk to their passengers and other road users.  Crash death rates for drivers under 25 are roughly double those of older drivers. The answer lies in a lethal mixture of age, inexperience and gender. Lack of experience is noticed in all new drivers, irrespective of their age. But physical and emotional immaturity and the lifestyles associated with youth also increase risk. And young men are particularly both the source of, and victims of traffic safety risk.

The average age of a taxi driver in Japan is 57.5, which is a good number. This fidgure ensures that the passengers are safely carried from one place to another when their lives are in the hands of experienced drivers.

It is important to look at the road safety aspects of public policy decisions that are not directly related to road safety in areas such as availability and cost of public transport, the costs of operating a vehicle, the availability of parking at schools and other areas frequented by young people, the availability of alcohol to young people, and the locations of bars and discos.