Japanese car imports

[Guest]

what happens if i buy a vehicle but there is no model report available?

[darkblue]

you would have to wait until it is ten years old!!
you could pay to have a independant noise and emissions test done but this could prove costly and you might not be able to to get these down to an acceptable level without spending a lot of money

[gavinjacques]

where is the best place to contact to find a model report anyone know.

[msdunn]

check this out


http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/publications/model%20reports%20list.pdf

[hardic]

was thinkin in importing the latest toyota yaris.

[hardic]

but will any car be registered in the uk, even if there was no uk model of a particular vehicle?

[msdunn]

to register a car like the latest model yaris you will need a model report

if one doesnt exist then you won't be able to.

people commission model reports on popular vehicles - because although it can cost a few thousand - they will make that back and more by renting the reports out at 3 to ?500 (ish) to importers.

or a dealer importing large volumes might have a model report done to save hiring one every time he tests a car.

[Tez]

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/publications/model%20reports%20list.pdf is a good and complete list. It is updated when new ones come out.

New reports are being made all the time.

I think it is quite a good investment idea to make reports. Once done you just ask to be added to the model report list above.

[msdunn]

i agree - i would be interested in finding out exactly what is involved with commissioning model reports.
i looked into it once, but didn't get very far, and then was too busy.
i noticed that a guy in the south from dandy cars who imports a vast number of mx5's had a set of reports made for 1.8, 1.6, manual and automatic.
i tried to contact him but got no reply.
i assume there will be little help from those who have had reports made as it is a threat to their future income.

as far as i can gather the reports are only a few thousand pounds - but then once on the list they become a nice earner.

[stracyznski]

Hi. I've been looking to import a 1999 Nissan Primera G-V , but have been stopped due to the lack of model report. Does anyone know if I need one or where I can get one from...?

[hardic]

what items need to be covered in the model report in order for it to go for sva testing?

[stracyznski]

Everything including the kitchen sink from what I've heard. And they will ony be done on completely standard models....

[Al-Stracyznski]

Just been browsing through the VOSA site again and read this...

[color=darkblue]Where vehicles have been imported from Japan, evidence that the vehicle was approved there will be taken to confirm that the vehicle meets some of the requirements (Comparable Standards). For a used vehicle, an original de-registration document that demonstrates the vehicle has been allocated a "type designation number" and "variant number" will serve this purpose providing the vehicle has not been modified since manufacture in respect of any of the SVA relevant items in a way that is likely to have a detrimental effect on the original approval .
Where a vehicle from Japan has a date of manufacture on or after 1st January 1997, additional evidence will be needed to demonstrate that the vehicle is capable of meeting the emissions and noise standards, and additionally in the case of a forward control vehicle having a date of manufacture on or after 1st October 1997, the protective steering requirements. Evidence will be required from an authorised test laboratory that the vehicle has been tested in accordance with the requirements of the relevant emissions and noise Directives. This is because the standards in Europe are more demanding than they are in Japan. It is possible that some modifications will be needed to achieve the European standards.[/color]

When read in conjunction with Gavinjacques e-mail from VOSA (10 year rule), which states 'Model reports are required for vehicle requiring the ESVA (Enhanced Single Vehicle Approval) test not the basic SVA test' It suggestes that providing the for a car that has an equivalent model availble in the UK, only the emissions and noise testing needs to be done.

Is this correct...?

[gavinjacques]

thats the way i see it but emmisions and noise can be a right 'pia' fro what i have heard.
by the way what is a forward control vehicle anyone know?

[Al-Stracyznski]

Forward control is where more then half the engine length is behind the front edge of the windscreen. Typically this relates to commucial vehicles where the engine is below the cab, but also includes the old Toyota Privia.

Interestingly, how does this relate to rear or mid engined cars...?

[Al-Stracyznski]

Does anyone know what sort of costs we're looking at to get a noise and emmission test...?

[gavinjacques]

thousands have heard up to 10k and thats if vehicle will pass!

[Al-Stracyznski]

[quote="gavinjacques"]thousands have heard up to 10k and thats if vehicle will pass![/quote]

[Al-Stracyznski]

Just got a reply from modelreports.com.

[color=darkblue]The approx cost will be ?3500-?5000. You will need to contact an Independent Test House. The two we use are Emissions Laboratory (UK) in Southampton (023 8063 1550) or Millbrook in Bedfordshire (01525 408253)

Regards[/color]

Which makes it completely unviable unless your importing on bulk...

[gavinjacques]

not as bad as i thaught lol but still expensive. but at ?300-?500 a go ish will soon make back if you pick something useful with a market