Import - What's Different

[Catweazle]

Finally found a RAV4 for sale that meets my criteria but is is described as an import. Is there any difference between an import and a non-import and am I likely to have any problems buying one?

[three5]

Finally found a RAV4 for sale that meets my criteria but is is described as an import. Is there any difference between an import and a non-import and am I likely to have any problems buying one?

The specifications of vehicles in the UK are different in detail from those sold in Europe ( RHD for a start! ) generally. Robert and one or two other members have cars speced for Eire which are different again. Basically, Toyota produce the same chassis with variations in the level of trim and equipment dependent on the market in which they are sold. There may be differences based on the law in different countries as well ( do scandanavian vehicles have their lights on whenever the engine is running?) I suppose most of the variations are based on market research, say for instance, the Italians like little wheels mounted on the roof rails so that they can drive in sewer pipes etc ;)

[Davrav]

Finally found a RAV4 for sale that meets my criteria but is is described as an import. Is there any difference between an import and a non-import and am I likely to have any problems buying one?

Where is it imported from? Many imports have different parts e.g. brake components exhaust etc. and it can be difficult to get bits. There are specialist parts companies I understand but I have a mate who worked for a motor factors and he told me it can be a bit of a minefield.

[Plutus]

I don't much about this but understand that in Japan vehicles are changed frequently and because they are RHD and often low mileage quite a few end up here. These are called Jap Imports and they are ususlly cheaper than comparable used cars here.

Specs are a bit different and not sure about warranty etc.

There was something on the Honest John website in Daily Telegraph recently but sorry I can't find the link for you.

Hope this helps

[jedi134]

No underseal, rear fog lights, probably a lot more, but in general the major one will be the steering wheel on the wrong side, other that that trim levels, but major mechanical parts, engine, chassi, etc will be the same, I would not be frightened of buying an import as long as you buy it from a repituble dealer, so its past can be traced.

[Catweazle]

Thanks for the info and advice everyone. I think I might pass on this one in case it's more trouble than it's worth.

[bothwell_buyer]

tend to find high performing cars being imported - the Jap cars are often higher spec; low mileage; RHD; less corrosion; and a good price. I've seen loads of Skylines etc as imports and bought 3 imported MR2s.

And remember a lot of Jap cars are imported from Japan when new??!!

What you might find is the dealer getting confused. Not a problem as I only ever use Jap car specialists.

If a car has manufacturers warranty, then it travels with the car.

[halfpastsix]

Don't forget it may alter your insurance, usually in the upward direction. I bought a Ford Ka once that had 'this car is an import' or words to that effect on the log book, and that made the insurance higher, but I couldn't find a single thing on it that was different to the UK spec model.

[07xtr]

Before I got my Rav4 I had a japanese import mitsubishi and although it looked identical to the version sold in england almost everything was different,

I needed a new rear box for the exhaust but it had a three bolt fitting to the rest of the exhaust - the english one had a two bolt fitting so i had to get one ordered.

I needed a new key, the mitsubishi dealer couldn't program it to the alarm.

I needed a replacement windscreen - autoglass made me wait 3 weeks while they sourced one.

The insurance was (as someone's already said) more for a smaller engined, older, less valuable car than the Rav4 I've got now.

My opinion - don't go for a jap import

[Catweazle]

Thanks everyone for the advice - I'm steering well clear of imports now. Out of interest, is there a quick way to tell an import if the seller doesn't advertise it as one? Is there a clear reference to it in the V5/log book?

[HEMI]

One of our customers has an imported Rav4 (4.1) and we service it regularly and we've also changed its brakes,as far as I know the parts are exactly the same as a UK model

[Dippy]

Nobody's answered the question "imported from where?"

If it's from the EU, it should be EU-homologated so generally OK. Not many in the UK would import from the EU except Cyprus and Malta, but they only joined the EU in 2004, so if the car is older than that it wouldn't be EU homologated.

Most likely it's a Jap import in which case see above - usually higher spec for lower price, but maybe lacking underseal and the suspension could be a little bit different.