Dear Members,

I'm a Newbie and joined your forum today as my ZX has just arrived today from Japan.

Can anyone advise me on making my vehicle legal for the UK roads.

 

I've been told that it just needs a Foglight with indicated switch and I can then insure the car, send the paperwork to DVLA with £38 for plates and the money for either 6/12 months road tax.

 

Is this correct?

 

Help please!! I'm in the North East, Teeside area.

 

Kind regards

Wayfarer

yes basically m8

(as long as the car is over 10 years old, and doesnt need an sva?)

you also need to send the mot to register it, so mot will have number not displayed (usually chasis)

and make sure you send the docs special delivery, and money to cover them returning the same way, better still if the local office is close??

take all the paperwork to them, and 72 hours later you can pick them up

yes basically m8

(as long as the car is over 10 years old, and doesnt need an sva?)

you also need to send the mot to register it, so mot will have number not displayed (usually chasis)

and make sure you send the docs special delivery, and money to cover them returning the same way, better still if the local office is close??

take all the paperwork to them, and 72 hours later you can pick them up

 

Thank you for your help.

The car is a 1992 N/A so should not need a sva, I'll try my local MOT station after I work out my foglight requirement!

 

Thanks again for the help.

You got a mate now...billynomates!!

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer

Almost.... you also need to send evidence that duty and VAT have been paid, this is on the form from customs. Also you should be displaying your speed in MPH but often MOT centres do not check this.

Almost.... you also need to send evidence that duty and VAT have been paid, this is on the form from customs. Also you should be displaying your speed in MPH but often MOT centres do not check this.

 

iv never had a problem with speedo reading in kph,either at mot or police,im sure for an SVA test this is required.

I know quite a few cars still in KPH and they passed MOTs

For SVA the speedo is required to display in mph and to fulfill an accuracy test on the rolling road.

The mph face is not included in the MOT manual, however, some people maintain that if your speedo does not show mph you are committing an offence as normally vehicles are required to display mph so they can accurately determine their speed. I don't know of any cases where someone has been pulled up for speeding where the police have raised it as an issue, but for £10 for a face or £40 for a chip it does not seem worth the risk

:duffer: Confuse the hell out of the posty office when you tax a new import :smash: they keep asking why hasnt your insurance and m.o.t got vehicle registration number just smile and tell them look at the chasis number as car was registered after m.o.t and insurance was issued took me 30 mins trying to explain.Hope your local dvla office is quieter than mine took all day :xxx:

Hi matey, welcome to the forum. bit of a newbie myself. can i ask a couple of questions about your car?

 

was the importing process fairly simple and was it worth the money you saved?

 

i'm desperate for a manual twin turbo (not red or white) but they're like gold dust here. contemplating bringing one over.......

 

any feedback would be great,

 

tom.

 

enjoy your new ride! ;)

not RED ..are you mad ..............everyone knows red zeds are the fastest :)))

not RED ..are you mad ..............everyone knows red zeds are the fastest :)))

 

 

to true steve to true :bow:

Hi matey, welcome to the forum. bit of a newbie myself. can i ask a couple of questions about your car?

 

was the importing process fairly simple and was it worth the money you saved?

 

i'm desperate for a manual twin turbo (not red or white) but they're like gold dust here. contemplating bringing one over.......

any feedback would be great,

tom.

 

enjoy your new ride! ;)

 

 

Importing is not that simple because you first have to find the right car at the right price in the Japanese auctions. Out of approx. 100,000 cars per week that are auctioned only one or two who fit the spec you are after, assuming you want low mileage and good condition.

Then the Japaenese paperwork and transport to the japanese docks needs to be arranged, followed by shipping, insurance, UK customs, UK transport and if under 10 years old SVA.

As you won't have access to buy from Japanese auctions, like I do, you will be in the hands of dealers who may or may not give you a good deal or possibly misrepresent the car.

Have just had a look, only cars in the next couple of days that are manual TT have either got a low auction grade, poor condition, or are the wrong colour. As I said they do come up, but not very often.

auto tt's are just as good mate believe me!!!

Hi matey, welcome to the forum. bit of a newbie myself. can i ask a couple of questions about your car?

 

was the importing process fairly simple and was it worth the money you saved?

 

i'm desperate for a manual twin turbo (not red or white) but they're like gold dust here. contemplating bringing one over.......

 

any feedback would be great,

 

tom.

 

enjoy your new ride! ;)

 

Hi Tommy109,

I bought a wine red N/A from an auction in Japan, the company I went through was www. Autoadvan .co.uk (Sorry Forum if I can't put this here??)I'm not way affiliated with these guys and make nothing from them!

 

The guy who did everything for me was called Raymond Wu and I used their shipping contact which was BSL Shipping.

I can't praise them enough!

 

The car is in excellent condition for a 1992 model, all right it's not spotless, but hey! it's as old as my daughter...LOL

 

This company did everything for me and were very reassuring when I was having doubts.

 

Points on the bad side are:

1) No guarantee of the closest port, I tried for Newcastle but got Southampton and had to pay an additional £285 for transporter delivery, which I found quite reasonable as I had much higher Quotes.

 

2) The length of time it takes for your vehicle to get here!

I bought my vehicle in November and it arrived in the third week of December, this is the exception, normally takes slightly longer.

The shipping agents informed me that it would cost £4 a day for each day it was in their compound if you don't pay the import taxes etc.They give around 2 weeks grace!!!

 

I paid for the vehicle using Paypal and they added I think 4% charges for using it.

My costs were as follows:

 

£2178.00 for my ZX300 Fairlady...... Wayhooo!! :nana2:

£285 for Transporting from Southampton to Teesside

£1004.27 for import taxes and shipping (There was about 4/5 days @ £4 perday added onto my shipping costs for storage)

 

Total: £3467.27

 

I still need to Tax =£160

MOT Test= £25

Insure= Any help here would be welcome...LOL

 

I still would do this again as I believe that my vehicle is worth £4,500

It's got 18 inch low profile mags

Decat exhaust, New Cam belt fitted and The engine is immaculate.

 

I do need an "ashtray" :hyper: if anyone has got a spare or can give me one for a reasonable price I'd be a very happy chappy! :D

 

I'm really chuffed with myself for doing this and all I can say is if you've got a big pair of Ba**s go for it. :nana2:

Find your vehicle and get as much info as you can and take a chance.

 

Oh I almost forgot, if anyone is interested in doing what I've done I will be more than willing to assist you guys, just PM me and I will do my best, It really isn't difficult once you've made your choice etc.

 

Also make sure the company you are dealing with is sound, I've heard about people being ripped off big style and not being able to trace or get their money back! :nono:

 

Hope this info helps you and once I get sorted out will be applying for my ZX membership and go to some of the meets, so look forward to seeing all of you!

 

Kind regards Wayfarer

 

PS thanks for all the advice everyone has given me it is really appreciated, I've got all the paperwork and will hope for the best with regards the speedo, I think I might go down the replacement route but will wait a couple of weeks to make a final decision.

For SVA the speedo is required to display in mph and to fulfill an accuracy test on the rolling road.

The mph face is not included in the MOT manual, however, some people maintain that if your speedo does not show mph you are committing an offence as normally vehicles are required to display mph so they can accurately determine their speed. I don't know of any cases where someone has been pulled up for speeding where the police have raised it as an issue, but for £10 for a face or £40 for a chip it does not seem worth the risk

 

Hi Ronflat,

Can you give me some moe info regarding the face and about the chip you are referring to?

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer

Hi Ronflat,

Can you give me some moe info regarding the face and about the chip you are referring to?

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer

 

Wayfarer,

Your price for a non turbo was a bit high, they are making approx 300,000yen inc delivery to the port in Japan for one with approx 50,000 miles and no damage, you may have a lower mileage one but if you paid at least £500 too much, but not too bad I suppose.

Its not true about what they said about shipping, you can get a vehicle shipped to any UK port for the same cost, all have sailings every 4 weeks or so.

As for the speedo face or the chip, you are better buying a speedo chip, there are posts with how to fit on here. Once fitted you only need to paint out the K on KMPH with matt black paint and it will read in MPH. If you simply change to a MPH face this will work but will only read to approx 110mph.

But what I don't understand is why are you doing this?

You should expect a good importer to convert the speedo, fit a radio band expander, and rear foglight. Also to supply it with am MOT if they are as I estimate charging you approx £700 for getting the car.

There are dealers on this site who sell the coverters. If you do a search on google you can find other cheaper suppliers.

Hi Ronflat,

Thanks for the heads up!

This is the first time I've actally imported a vehicle so didn't know all the ins and outs...suppose now I can't work for you as I would of made a loss and you would of sacked me on my first day.... :mac1:

 

I will know doubt buy again at a later date so will remember what you have told me.

 

I've got a great guy helpping me out with the MOT, he's just at the end of the road so the foglight shouldn't be to major.

 

Just need to get the info on the chip and installation procedures.

 

I'm a little peeved now that I've lost out on £500 nicker. :shock:

 

Could of used that to do some more mods!.. you live and learn. :hurl:

 

Question's for you.

Is it a major headache to paint out the K in the clocks and to install the chip?

 

Any idea of costs involved, just a ballpark figure will keep me on track.

 

Thanks again for your help,

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer

Is it a major headache to paint out the K in the clocks and to install the chip?

 

Zcentre do a speed convertor and delimiter kit which has been used by a number of members. Details and price here

 

It's fairly easy to get to the clocks and make a cosmetic change (about 6 screws). You just have to have a steady hand!

 

Steve :)

Thanks Cybernet,

I've been checking out the speed convertors etc and will go your route once I've got the car through it's MOT.

 

I've arranged for it to go in tomorrow at 2pm.

I know I need the foglight etc but want to make sure there is no other concerns.

 

Here's keeping fingers crossed ;)

 

I'll keep everyone posted with the progress.

 

All being well I should have the car legal February.

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer

Hi Guys,

Just to let you know my car has passed it's MOT! :dance:

 

Converted the two center brake lights into fogs and fit the illuminated switch near the headlight controls on the right handside of the dash.

Looks pretty cool. :cool:

 

Just need the clutch sorting now and I'll be good to go! :headvswal

 

Thanks for all your help and advice! :bow:

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer

Hi Wayfarer, I used Autoadvan as well to get my 300, shipping took 3 months :( gorgeous car though and well worth the wait, good news she got through the MOT :hyper:

Hi Wayfarer, I used Autoadvan as well to get my 300, shipping took 3 months :( gorgeous car though and well worth the wait, good news she got through the MOT :hyper:

Excellent!

I was informed by another forum member called Ronflat that we have might of paid too much for our cars. :hurl:

 

He says that there are car import companies that will import the car and MOT. change the clocks etc for what we have paid to get ours out here.

I don't know how true it is so can't really give you the proof. All I know is I'm extremely happy with my Zed and I just need to sort out my clutch now, It's slipping and don't know if I can adjust it or not. :headvswal

Might need to replace it. :cry:

 

Good luck with your car and may you have many miles of enjoyment out of her!...or is it him?...Naw...must be her!...mines a her!....it's a beast!!....but it's a her! :rofl:

Maybe see you at a meet once I get the car on the road.

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer

Paid £1000 for the car and about £1200 all in for shipping taxes MOT, so on the road price was less that £2.5k, for the spec of the car that was bargain of the century.

Well that was a pretty good investment if I do say so myself!

There is bargains out there if we are prepared to look and be patient.

Have you done any major mods since you've got the Zed?

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer

I think I have spent about another £3k since I have had the car, replaced cam belt, series 2 ptu, pcvs, conzult, fuel line kit,ICE, private plates, uprated brakes, o2 sensors, HID lights, strut braces the list goes on and on, I dare not look as it may well be more than I think.

I think I have spent about another £3k since I have had the car, replaced cam belt, series 2 ptu, pcvs, conzult, fuel line kit,ICE, private plates, uprated brakes, o2 sensors, HID lights, strut braces the list goes on and on, I dare not look as it may well be more than I think.

 

You better not sit and work it out properly as you might just pass out!

The scarey thing is that in our own Zed reality....these cars must have these extras...he...he...he

 

I've just had a guy quote me nearly £300 for a clutch kit!...the fitting guy recons £300-£400 to put it in.

I've told him I'm not upping the BHP yet and just need one that will allow me to go!...he laughed and put the phone down on me!...what cheek!

These small time merchants..(not all mind) seem to think that if you got a Zed your made of money and push the bl**dy prices up!

Does my head in!

If I had the gear I'd do the job myself.

 

I've put the 18inch low profiles on and she looks sweet...kind of a b1tch in sheeps clothing now,

My car came with a 6 into 1 exhaust and I have absolutely no idea of the make.

New cam belt and other bits and bobs just to make me bash my head against the wall. :headvswal

 

Ah..but it makes the world go round. ;)

 

Kind regards,

Wayfarer