rory

That would be perfect for me. Paperwork wise, what exactly would I need? Apart from insurance and my driving license do I need anything else? Do I need any form of temporary number plates? Thanks.

Hi. Thanks. That was the answer I was looking for. I'll try to get the fog light conversion done here before leaving Japan. I'd be easier for me to just drive it from the port. Are there MOT testing facitiies port side so that this can be done? By the way, how long did the shipping take, and how much did it cost you?

The last of the 300ZX sell for 6000 - 8000 pounds. This is the screen price you would have to pay considerably extra to actually buy the car here in Japan. Taxes etc. Again, as before, auctions will be cheaper, but in japan, auctions are not open to the public so you have to have a company do the bidding for you!

So I'd be OK to drive it from the port to my house before getting an MOT done? How do number plates work? I have to de-register the car here before it leaves so it won't even have any Japanese number plates. I'd assumed you couldn't register a car without an MOT certificate. As I told my friends, I can bring anything back, just no pretty girls or fast cars (they're just for me ;) ), I just wish I could pack all my own stuff into the car. The cost of shipping is going to be higher for my personal belongings than for the car - crazy stuff. Thanks for your help.

Very good question! Yes, every two years all cars over three years old must have 'shakken'. However, the reason it is so expensive it that although it primarily is a safety check, it also includes, the legal minimum level of insurance, and two types of road tax. Therefore, even if your car doesn't require any work to be done, it's still going to cost you at least 600 pounds. Any work required is on top of that. Additionally, the safety check is also a slightly mis-leading name, it's possible for a car to pass with dodgy seatbelts, but to fail for cosmetic reasons. There have been calls to change it but the current situation keeps everyone happy, from the tax man, to the car dealers, to the places which perform the shakken. Everyone except the driver that is!! Also, changing the owner of a car is an expensive task. You can do it yourself but it'll normally take you four working days running around different government buildings with different pieces of paper. The offices are only open weekdays during office hours so most people pay a car dealer to do the 'name change' for them. This costs another 2-300 pounds. But still cheaper than taking four days off work! Needless to say, this is not required for a new car. Combine this with, low consumption tax (VAT) of only 5 percent and a very low interest rate, makes new car purchase tempting for many people. Hence there are many older, but very healthy cars on the used market, in fact, more supply than demand, hence the exporting. But, I'll add, it's not the japanese market pushing it's used cars onto foreign markets, it's the pull factor of the foreign markets wanting the used japanese cars that is driving the export market here. Anyway, hope this makes it a little clearer!

Hi. Well, all the new ones are now 350Zs of course. The last of the old ones still command quite a high price, I'll look into and get back to you. That end of the market is way out of my reach so I've never paid much attention :cry: Even the older ones here are normally still in good condition, but unfortunately, the are also mostly automatics. You can pick the old ones up quite cheaply, prices starting at about 2000 uk pounds. That's from car dealers, I'm sure from auctions they're even cheaper. Anyway, keep firing away with the Japan questions, all welcome!

Just re-read your post properly. Unfortunately I'm not allowed to store anything in the car during shipping. If it's something small you're after I might be able to fit it in my suitcase!! :D

Great - thanks. Do these need to be done before the car can leave the port?

Hi, I'm coming back to the UK this summer having spent the last three years in Japan. I will be bringing my car back with me - a 1990 TT 2+2 automatic. Because the car is more than 10 years old I believe it only has to pass a basic MOT upon arrival in the UK. Right? My questions are: 1/ Where does the MOT have to be done? Before the car leaves the port, or somewhere of my choosing within a specific time frame? 2/ What modification do I have to make to the Japanese car to pass the MOT. So far, my understanding is that the following need to be changed; please correct me if i'm wrong: Speedo Rear fog lights Fuel filler size adapter Also, because I've owned the car here in japan for more than six months I believe I can import it free of tax. Anyone know anything about this? I'll be back in the UK sometime during August based around Oxford / Birmingham area. Hope to meet up with some of you around then! Thanks a lot! - Rory