Bringing Sienta From Japan

[icottee]

Hi

I've been living in Nagoya, Japan for 6.5 years and appear to be moving back to the UK (Chester) in August. We have an 18 month old Sienta on a five year loan and rather than selling it, loosing a pack of money and buying a new car in the UK we are considering taking it with us.

Problem is Sientas are not sold in the UK. Problem two is a I know the square root of diddly squat about cars. So answers/thoughts/wisdom on any of the following much appreciated:

1) Anybody know reputable companies who will handle the shipping

2) At the UK end how the hell do I get a MOT for it?

3) Is there anything special I need to do (special cert I need) as the UK doesn't sell these cars. Some certificate or road worthiness or similar?

4) Is insurance a problem? It's about as sexy and sporty as Nora Batty in a bikini ... but we love it :). I guess it will have a rarity value however. Recommendations for good insurance companies welcomed.

5) Anything else we should worry about?

In fact - if anybody knows a company who could take care of all of these things for us at a fixed price I'd be interested.

for those interested the car in question can be seen at this page here. Er, the unusual second photo was my father in law blessing it. Maybe that will get a discount on insurance ;)

Many thanks for any help!

Ian

[Andy]

Ian

Contact Glen on this site, he lives in Japan and his brother has a garage in Sussex, they bring loads of vehicles to the Uk so should know what they are doing.

http://www.4wheelersjapan.com/ContactUs.html

[scionic]

Looks strangely familiar....

I drive a bB, if you know those.

Sold as a "Scion xB" in the states, but it's identical to the bB sold in Japan except we get a manual transmission option and the wheel is on the left side.

Very similar to your Sienta, in fact I'm certain they are both based on the Toyota FunCargo/Yaris Verso platform.

Lots to like about these little runabouts. I can completely understand how you could grow attached to yours as well!