I’ve been looking into Japanese imports recently and wondering whether they’re still good value in the UK after shipping, VAT, import duty, registration fees, and insurance are all taken into account.
My budget is around £10k-£12k, and I’ve been comparing a few options like the Toyota Harrier, Honda Freed, and Subaru Forester. The low mileage and overall condition of many imports seem much better than similar UK-used examples, which is definitely appealing.
What I’m struggling to work out is whether the savings are still there once everything is added up. Some people say importing directly can still be worthwhile, while others think the extra costs have reduced the advantage quite a bit.
During my research, I came across a few Japanese used stock car listings and noticed that some importers have a much wider selection than what's available locally. I was browsing https://nobukojapan.com and it got me thinking about whether buying directly from Japan makes more sense than buying an import that’s already registered in the UK.
For those who have imported a car recently, how was the process? Was DVLA registration straightforward? Any issues with MOT testing, insurance, or sourcing parts?
I'd be interested to hear some real-world experiences, especially from anyone who has gone through the process in the last year or two. Was it worth it in the end, or would you do things differently next time?