A used car in Japan typically costs roughly £1,000 to £3,000 for an older kei car or small hatchback, £3,000 to £8,000 for a mainstream family car, and £15,000 or far more for sought-after performance models. Those are Japanese purchase prices. If you plan to bring the car to the UK, the final bill is usually much higher once fees, shipping, duty, VAT and registration costs are added.
Exchange rates move, so check the live yen rate before you budget. In recent years it has often been somewhere around 190 to 210 yen to the pound.
Typical used car prices in Japan
Japan has a huge used market, fed by auctions, dealers and strict roadworthiness testing (known as shaken). Rough price bands for cars you might see exported:
- Kei cars and small hatchbacks: often 200,000 to 800,000 yen (about £1,000 to £4,000).
- Mainstream saloons, estates and MPVs: commonly 500,000 to 1,500,000 yen (about £2,500 to £8,000).
- Newer hybrids and SUVs: often 1,500,000 yen and upwards, depending on age and mileage.
- Enthusiast cars (for example 1990s sports and performance models): can run well into five or six figures in pounds, and prices have risen sharply because demand is global.
These are guides only. Condition, grade, mileage and trim make a big difference.
The extra costs of importing to the UK
The purchase price is only part of the story. Budget for these:
- Auction and exporter fees: agents usually charge a fee, plus auction and inspection costs.
- Inland transport and shipping: moving the car to port and shipping it to the UK often adds several hundred to over a thousand pounds.
- Import duty: a rate of 10% on cars has applied to many imports, though trade deals can reduce it for qualifying Japanese-origin vehicles. Check the current rules with HMRC.
- VAT: 20% is normally charged on the car's value plus shipping and any duty.
- Port, customs clearance and delivery charges within the UK.
- Registration, testing and compliance: you must notify HMRC of the import and register the car with the DVLA. Depending on age, the car may need an MOT or an individual approval (IVA) first. Check the current gov.uk guidance for your vehicle.
As a rough rule, many buyers find the landed, road-ready cost is 40% to 60% higher than the Japanese purchase price, and sometimes more. Treat that as a ballpark, not a quote.
Other costs people forget
- Modifications to meet UK requirements, such as a speedometer showing miles per hour, rear fog lamp or headlight changes.
- Insurance, which can be harder to arrange for imports. Get quotes before you buy.
- Parts and servicing, since some Japanese-market models use components that are harder to source in the UK.
- Initial servicing, tyres and fluids after a long sea voyage.
What history can you check on a Japanese import?
Be realistic about what UK checks can show. A UK vehicle history check draws on UK records, so a car that has only just arrived will usually have little or no UK history before its registration date. Typically that means:
- MOT history: only starts once the car has had a UK MOT.
- Previous keepers: UK keepers only, so Japanese owners will not appear.
- Mileage: Japanese cars show kilometres, and the conversion to miles is done on import. Odometer tampering has been reported on some exports, so the auction sheet and any service records matter.
- Write-off status: the UK insurance write-off register (MIAFTR, categories A, B, S and N) covers UK insurance losses. Accident or repair history in Japan will not necessarily appear, so read the auction grade and inspection sheet carefully and consider an independent inspection.
- Stolen and finance markers: the Police National Computer (PNC) and finance records cover UK data, so they are less informative for a car that has just landed.
Buying a Japanese import that is already in the UK
Many buyers skip the shipping and buy a car that has already been imported. That can save hassle, but it is worth checking the vehicle's registration on motorpeek.com before you pay. You can see MOT history, mileage readings, previous UK keepers and any UK markers, and spot gaps, such as a long period with no MOT, that deserve questions. Also ask the seller for the import paperwork, auction sheet, and proof the VAT and duty were paid.
Tips before you buy
- Get a total landed cost in writing from any exporter or importer.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and translate it yourself or through an independent service.
- Check the chassis or VIN against the paperwork and the car itself.
- Look for rust, previous accident repair and underbody condition, particularly on older cars.
- Keep some budget aside for unexpected compliance or repair costs.
Done carefully, importing from Japan or buying an existing import can be rewarding, but the cheap headline price rarely reflects what you will actually pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a used car cost in Japan?
Older kei cars and small hatchbacks can cost around £1,000 to £3,000, while mainstream used cars are often £3,000 to £8,000. Rare or enthusiast models can cost much more. Prices vary with age, mileage, grade and the yen exchange rate.
How much extra does it cost to import a used car from Japan to the UK?
Expect to add auction and exporter fees, shipping, customs clearance, 20% VAT, possibly 10% import duty, and UK registration and testing costs. Many buyers find the landed cost is roughly 40% to 60% above the Japanese price, though it varies, so get a written total before committing.
Can I check the history of a Japanese import in the UK?
You can check UK records such as MOT history, mileage readings, UK keepers and UK markers once the car is registered here. Japanese ownership, accident history and pre-import mileage may not appear, so ask for the auction sheet and import paperwork and consider an independent inspection.