Importing a Toyota Vitz direct

Barr

Hi All

Just wondering if this it would be worth buying one of these directly from Japan . I’m after a small auto around 2014 /15 16 and the Vitz looks a decent option.


Could anyone recommend a company / contact that will source the car and arrange the import into Ireland. Looking for somewhere to start the process.

Is there any advantage /drawback being a Jap import - would parts be the same as a Yaris etc.



Thanks

colm_mcm

JDM Auction Watch or WKD Imports.

Problems you may encounter include the computer radio etc being in Japanese and not changeable to English, slightly different lights so harder to get parts new and used, insurance may or may not be loaded or refused, car will need an NCT on arrival and may need a set of tyres etc.

The auto gearbox won’t be the same as an Irish model, that’s a good thing though.


Price a hybrid Yaris here first, they’re the one to go for.

Barr

Thanks Colm , what about engine parts . Are they the same as the Irish version.

Tr_18

Try Jim Carey Car Sales in Cahir. He imports most if not all of his stock from Japan. He advertises on Donedeal, well worth a phone call as he should be able to source one for you to your desired spec/budget

colm_mcm

Barr wrote: »

Thanks Colm , what about engine parts . Are they the same as the Irish version.

Yes I believe so.

For gods sake don’t get the 1.0 though. It’s a horrid little thing in a car that’s trying to be grown up.

1.33 minimum.

Barr

colm_mcm wrote: »

Yes I believe so.

For gods sake don’t get the 1.0 though. It’s a horrid little thing in a car that’s trying to be grown up.

1.33 minimum.

They are mostly all 1.0 on done deal in auto so it seems a far more popular import with this engine (for some reason)


Probably is a cheaper option - something I'll need to check into further .

colm_mcm

Drive one first. They’re probably 70:30 in Japan in favour of the 1.0

Have a look on tradecarview www.tc-v.com and it will give you an idea about the different spec and trim levels on the Vitz.

Barr

colm_mcm wrote: »

Drive one first. They’re probably 70:30 in Japan in favour of the 1.0

Have a look on tradecarview www.tc-v.com and it will give you an idea about the different spec and trim levels on the Vitz.

Some interesting looking cars there !

This looks well specced , under 5 k before any negioation for a 2016 auto

https://www.tc-v.com/used_car/toyota/vitz/25976058/?isNew=1

I always thought a Fit/Jazz would be a better import than a Yaris/Vitz due to its greater flexibility but if you must it is hard to fault a Toyota Vitz.

colm_mcm

Barr wrote: »

Some interesting looking cars there !

This looks well specced , under 5 k before any negioation for a 2016 auto

https://www.tc-v.com/used_car/toyota/vitz/25976058/?isNew=1

You have to factor in shipping and insurance (which you have in that figure) , broker costs, import duty, VAT, VRT and Nox.

Import duty will be €500
VAT will be around €1k
Nox may well be €600 unless you have documentation showing Nox (you may only have Co2)
VRT might be another €1500
Broker on Irish side to handle customs another €200?

You could be up in €9k-€10k easily enough.

Barr

colm_mcm wrote: »

You have to factor in shipping and insurance (which you have in that figure) , broker costs, import duty, VAT, VRT and Nox.

Import duty will be €500
VAT will be around €1k
Nox may well be €600 unless you have documentation showing Nox (you may only have Co2)
VRT might be another €1500
Broker on Irish side to handle customs another €200?

You could be up in €9k-€10k easily enough.

The cheapest 2016 auto Yaris on done deal currently is 10,900 so not a huge saving after all .

Probably not worth the hassle

colm_mcm

I’m sure there are cheaper examples going through the Japanese auctions. I would suggest that the ones that make it to Ireland aren’t always the cream of the crop.

You are probably right about it not being worth the bother, but it’s also not worth buying an Irish/uk spec one either as the gearbox is horrendous.

There are better options out there IMO

Barr

Is there a way to see what they are making through the auctions ?

register on integrityexports.com

Barr

Deleted User wrote: »

register on integrityexports.com

They seem to be aimed at car dealers as opposed to one off purchases.

hoodie6029

Barr wrote: »

Is there a way to see what they are making through the auctions ?

JDM auction watch will give you an estimate of what you can expect to pay for one imported.

chazb

Problems you may encounter include the computer radio etc being in Japanese and not changeable to English,

hi colm

i recently bought one from a dublin dealer , had no problem switching it over to english .one problem i have encountered though (because i can't read Japanese)is the manual is in Japanese so could anyone help and let me know where i can get one in english pls

cheers