Japanese car imports

[chumley]

I am interested in getting an import but do I have to go and collect it with a speedo in my hand so as to get an MOT whats the score with MPH/KPH can anyone help me?????
Scared of worthing!

[Yann]

Hi Chumley,
I haven't imported yet, still in the process, but I have done a wee bit of research into this.

With the model I'm importing all that's needed to convert kph to mph is a delimiter,around ?60 for the one i saw. very, very simple to install and aswell as removing the speed limiter it converts kph to mph, so for example, if on the speedo it reads 40kph you are actually doing 40mph, only thing is you don't necessarily need to change the dials (looks better though) but you would have to rename the KPH to MPH with a label or something and it may not be very precise. Some people i've spoken to have found their MPH to be around 5-10 mph higher,
As for having to go down with all the parts, that's not really necessary.Book the car in for an M.O.T on the day you collect, then take a detour past your home, by then it'll be too late to make your appointment and you then have plenty of time to make all the necessary changes, at which point you officially M.O.T it.
I hope I explained that properly, I'm pretty sure there are plenty of other posts about this if you have a look.

I'm sure someone will verify or correct my findings

[Guest]

Hi Thank you so much I totally hear what you are saying that is the only thing I couldn't seem to sort in my head, but like everything 'it's easy when you have the experiance!'
Thank you again for taking the time to respond so quickly and easing my mind
Kind regards
Chumley

[darkblue]

hi chumley,
your spedo will not have to be converted for the mot and is only required for an esva.If you just require a mot you will only need to fit a fog light,but as the speedo is a simple mod so you may as well fit it,as mentioned a sticker is available to change it to mph,however if your car requires a esva you will not be able to use the sticker as it will not light up when your lights are on

[masong]

I was convinced that I had to change my dials. It was only until I saw someone import a car with already installed Nismo 320kmh dials and MOT it that i realised I had mis-spent ?40 on a converter! It would have been a waste, but until Mr Policeman stops my car and asks to see proof of it reading MPH, i will call it a mis-spend...

I am currently running my in KMH without converter, with a MPH sticker... confusing?! Just remember what 45/65/80/112 return as in MPH!

[Yann]

Thanks for clearing that up Masong and Dark Blue, you just saved me ?60 for a converter!!I was positive I needed to change the dials aswell so thats another few quid on top.

[chumley]

Knowledge IS Power thanx guys!!!!

[glanma]

Couple of things here - 10 years old or more won't need a dial change or even the face to read in mph, under 10 years though requires an SVA or ESVA in which case you will need the dial to read in mph - but the letters 'mph' I don't think need to be lit up. Mine passed the ESVA without the need to change the dials, after I put the convertor on and the lttle mph sticker over the kph letters and there is no light showing through it. I think the speed markings on the dial do have to light up though (obviously!). And secondly, the [b][i]electric chip[/i][/b] style convertors are very accurate - again speaking from my own experience. The ESVA tester took my Estima up to 80 mph according to his rolling road (he let me watch it with him!) and said that the speedo read to withn 1 mph across the range!!! And yes they do often also mean that the power restriction on the engine is removed.

[gavinjacques]

doesnt the dial say kmph ......black tape over k! thats normal way or black pen on reverse of dial

[darkblue]

small piece off black tape over the k is the norm for me

[masong]

I have the rest of the sticker set if anyone wants! (peanuts to buy new)
White on black or vice versa, caps or lowercase (I've pinched the caps white on black )