Importing from Japan
 

Okay, I've gone down the route of importing a car on my own (yeah pretty stupid I know, had nothing but problems all the way), and now the car is finally on UK soil. It's a 1995 Mitsubishi Cyborg ZR (first registered in Japan on Nov 95'), I've got ALL the documents De-registration (& translation), Bill of Landing, Customs CE386, Original Receipts, MOT but I still can't get it registered without an SVA (though it being around 10 years old it would be exempt - oh well).

The DVLA handed me a copy of the SVA Scheme booklet and I'm sure I've read on the net, that cars made before 01/01/97 don't need a model report to go with it. But there is nowhere in the July 2004 Revision of the booklet that states this.
Am I completely screwed and have to get a Model Report for the ESVA (SVA whatever) or haven't I noticed it in the booklet?

Prep isnt too difficult; youll need at its simplest a new speedometer facia that reads up to 112Mph; a rear foglight if one isnt fitted as standard; and fit tyres as domestic tyres are ****e. What is a 'Cyborg'? Ive never heard of one and I cant find it on my reference list.....I reckon to know my JDM models too. The biggest problem that youre likely to come across; apart from braking performance and emissions (if its a diesel) are De-Reg related. Its not that uncommon to have your 'Designated Model Number' & 'Classification Number' pulled (missing from the certificate) but this isnt the end of the world; its usually because a non standard exhaust or somesuch has been fitted and its usually referred to in the translation. If the worst comes to the worst, dont register it until the 10th anniversary of its registration/construction.

Simon

Thanks for your response simon,
Sorry I should have said its a Mirage Cyborg ZR. more info here:-
http://www.j-garage.com/mitsubishi/mirage/5410.htm

I've read a hell of a lot into the process of importing a vehicle from Japan but naturally there are some gray area's I'm sure of. I've had a rear fog, speedo coverter fitted and the car came with some very nice Bridgestone Potenza RE540S Semi Slicks but due to wear on them I've swapped em out for some more "suitable" ones.
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~cczcp1/images/tyre.JPG

As for the De-Registration, I already have the document and translation with both the Type Cert & Classfication No's on - so I'm pretty sure that wont be a problem. But my biggest fear is that I'd be forced to take it for a Model Report, can anyone confirm this?

I can confirm that you wont; that only applies to vehicles registered after 311296. The link doesnt work; I assume as its a Mirage/Lancer that its a CM5a (4G93T 4WD)?

Simon

I see what it is now; its a Mirage hatch.....

With a 1600cc 170Bhp 4G92 MIVEC. If you dont mind my asking what did you pay, wheres it from etc?

Simon

thats the one,
about 3k inc shipping, from Kansai/Chugoku region of Japan

I was going to tell you how much they sell for at auction but theyre not common and I cant see one thats sold in the last three months... ¥500,000 is a lot to pay for a ten year old car though...

Simon

Its usually internal transport that ups the FOB price rather than the port itself; Kansai is close to Osaka (Sakai) which is a massive port; but RORO freight is charged at $68 per M3 at all ports.

Simon

It was actually ¥420000 plus ¥100000 for shipping (so not too bad) - mainly due to the low milage and it being in great nick.

RORO for this car (9.00M3) should be ¥645,000 - ¥650,000 depending on whether it was Ya (better) or Hual / K-Line.

Simon

Confused !!!

645,000 - 650,000 yen is £3,225 - £3,250 ???

I was tired and I was converting 9M3 x US$68 = US$612 / 105 (¥:$ exchange rate) as all prices were quoted in ¥en. So, it should say ¥64,500 - ¥65,000 which is about £325 at todays rate.

Edited to add: The car was very expensive btw; it should have come to about £2,000 landed ex all duty, £2,600 duty-paid.

Simon