Why we love Japanese imports (and why you might too)

Let’s talk about Japanese imports. Not the noodles (although we love those too) — we’re talking cars. And not just any cars, but some of the best looked-after, best-spec’d and best-value used cars money can buy.

At Clever Car Collection, we’ve become a bit obsessed. And here’s why...

First up: they’re unbelievably well looked after.

In Japan, owning a car is a big deal. Especially in cities like Tokyo, where you literally can’t have a car unless you’ve got somewhere to garage it. That means from day one, the cars are cherished – garaged, cleaned, pampered. Servicing? That’s done usually at main dealers, even for stuff like new wipers. No backstreet bodges here.

When we visited Japan, the condition of cars on the road blew us away. Ten-year-old superminis looked like they’d just rolled off the production line. It’s a different world – and it shows.

No salt = no rust

This one’s huge. Unlike the UK, where we salt our roads to bits every winter, Japan doesn’t bother. Different climate, different approach. So their cars don’t end up with rusty sills and crusty subframes. Pop your head under one of our imports and it’s like looking at a car that's five years younger.

We saw ten-year-old hatchbacks out there with zero corrosion. It was crazy. And that’s exactly the sort of quality we’ve brought back to the UK.

Their MOT test is savage (which is great for us)

Japan’s equivalent of the MOT is called the shaken – and it’s intense. People over there often describe it as being 10 times more rigorous than our MOT. The result? It gets to a point where it's too costly to keep a perfectly good car on the road – so they sell them instead.

But here in the UK? That same car is still in its prime. We’re basically picking up their unwanted gems – and they’re in miles-better condition than many UK equivalents.

Cars go to auction, not private sales

Another difference? Japan doesn’t really do private car sales like we do. Instead, most cars head to massive auctions. We visited one where 18,000 cars were sold in a single day. Yes, really.

We made a video about it (it’s on the Car Dealer YouTube channel – watch it below) and you can see for yourself the quality of the stock. The standard is seriously impressive.

Lower mileages, better specs, and right-hand drive

Public transport in Japan is so good that people just don’t use their cars as much. That means low mileage is the norm, not the exception. Plus, Japan is a right-hand-drive market like the UK – so everything fits. No funny dashboards or gearsticks in the wrong place.

Oh, and a lot of these cars are automatics – even tiny city cars like Volkswagen Ups. If you’re tired of clutch juggling in traffic, that’s a big bonus.

What to watch out for (and how we handle it)

Okay, so it’s not all sunshine and sushi.

Service history isn’t always documented the same way as here. But honestly, the condition of the cars speaks for itself – and before we sell anything, we give it a major service. Filters, plugs, serviceable items – all checked, all sorted.

Sometimes the odometer is still in kilometres. No biggie – we recalibrate that as part of our pre-delivery checks. And if the radio doesn’t pick up your favourite station? We sort that too, either by fitting a new unit or adjusting the frequency band.

Want to try one?

Honestly, the best way to know if a Japanese import is for you is to come and take a look. Compare it to a UK car of the same age and you’ll spot the difference instantly – cleaner engine bays, unmarked interiors, shiny sills, quiet gearboxes.

And they’re all here, ready to view at Clever Car Collection.

We hand-picked these cars ourselves while we were on the ground in Japan, working with trusted contacts we know and rely on. They’ve now been beautifully prepared here in the UK and are ready for new homes.

A quick insurance heads-up

Sometimes – not always, but sometimes – insurers might charge a smidge more for an import. It’s worth getting a quote in advance, just to be sure. Most mainstream insurers are fine, though, and we’re happy to point you in the right direction if needed.

In short? Don’t write off a Japanese import.

Come and see one in the metal. Open the bonnet. Look underneath. You’ll see exactly why we love them – and why they’re one of the smartest ways to buy used.

Got a question? Give us a shout. Or better yet, come see them for yourself – you’ll be blown away. 

James Baggott, founder, Clever Car Collection