In the video, Mat Watson, from Carwow, shares his experience of purchasing and importing a car from Japan with the help of Autocom Japan, a company specializing in exporting vehicles worldwide. Mat bought a Honda S660, a rare compact sports car, and documented the entire process, from bidding at auction to the eventual delivery in the UK.

The Purchase Process

Mat describes how he bought the Honda S660 at auction in Japan for approximately £6,358, which he initially found to be a great deal, given the limited availability of manual versions in the UK. However, the process involved several additional costs, such as shipping, import duties, and modifications necessary to make the car road-legal in the UK. He eventually paid around £10,837, including all these expenses​.

During his trip to Japan, Mat connected with Aman, a representative from Autocom Japan, who assisted in bidding on the car at auction. Mat explains that bidding on cars in Japan is quite different from typical UK auctions, as buyers rely on detailed inspection reports and trust the auction house’s assessment. Autocom Japan facilitated the entire transaction, including paperwork and shipping, without Mat having to travel back to Japan for the car​.

Importing and Modifications

Once the car arrived in the UK, Mat took it to My Car Import, the largest processor of privately imported vehicles in the UK. They handle around 3,000 vehicles annually and are responsible for modifying imported cars to comply with UK road regulations​.

The Honda S660 needed several modifications, such as adding a rear fog light, converting the speedometer from kilometers per hour to miles per hour, and ensuring the tires met UK standards. Mat emphasizes that Japanese cars are generally well-maintained, with meticulous attention to detail during servicing. This was evident in the condition of his S660, which looked almost new despite its age​.

Challenges and Costs

Although the process seemed straightforward, there were unexpected issues. For example, the car failed its initial MOT inspection because it lacked a UK-compliant fog light. Mat highlights how Japanese cars don’t always come with the same features required in Europe, such as rear fog lights, because Japan’s driving conditions don’t demand them. This meant additional work was needed to get the car road-legal​​.

In addition to the fog light, the tires posed another problem. While they were the correct brand and size, one of the tires didn’t have the required UK certification marking, which could have led to a failure during the Iva (Individual Vehicle Approval) test. Mat decided to swap the tires for UK-compliant versions to avoid any issues during inspection​.

Overall, the process was more complex and costly than initially anticipated, but Mat was satisfied with the result, particularly since importing allowed him to get a rare manual version of the car, which would have been difficult to find in the UK​.

Why Choose Autocom Japan?

A significant part of the video focuses on the ease of using Autocom Japan to import cars. Mat praises the company for handling all the paperwork and logistics, making the experience hassle-free. He emphasizes that importing a car from Japan through Autocom is a great option, especially for those looking for rare or unique models that might not be readily available in their local market.

Autocom Japan has an established reputation, having shipped more than 940,000 cars globally. Mat mentions that the company’s large scale allows them to offer competitive shipping rates, which contributed to the relatively low cost of importing his small car​​.

Post-Import Experience

Once the Honda passed the necessary tests and was registered, Mat had the opportunity to drive it. He was thrilled with the condition of the car, which looked nearly new, thanks to the high level of care Japanese owners typically give their vehicles. He also discovered that the previous owner had regularly serviced the car at a Honda dealership, which further ensured its excellent condition​​.

In the UK, Mat added personal touches, including a custom number plate that fit the car’s unique Japanese styling. He also made plans to tune the car and release a more in-depth review video focusing on its performance.

Conclusion

Mat’s experience demonstrates the benefits and challenges of importing a car from Japan. With the help of Autocom Japan, the process was made significantly easier, and Mat was able to find a rare, well-maintained vehicle that met his specific needs. Although there were unforeseen costs and minor complications, the overall experience was positive, and Mat expresses excitement about the possibility of importing more cars in the future.

For those interested in importing a car, Mat suggests considering Autocom Japan for their reliability, transparency, and expertise in handling the complex process of international vehicle shipping.