Frequently Asked Questions

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Japan Car Direct (JCD) is a Limited Liability Company specializing in the sourcing and worldwide export of used JDM vehicles. JCD is a licensed dealer with over 10 years experience, and we are members of all the major used vehicle dealer auctions in Japan. Our relationships with specialty dealers across Japan allows us to acquire vehicles in excellent condition at wholesale prices. The services we offer for the price, including import guidance, beat the competition. We are a small, efficient family company, providing professional, personalized services to all our customers. Trust us to handle all of your needs!

JCD provides all of its customers with no frills professional service. We do our utmost to provide as much information about vehicles as possible thru accurate auction sheet translations and detailed pre-bidding third party inspections. It is this philosophy that separates us from the majority of our competitors. In the end, all of the dealer/exporters have equal access to the auctions, so it’s really about trust, and the level of service provided to each and every customer. Nobody works harder for customer satisfaction than JCD.

Yes, if you have Skype on your computer or cell phone you can use it to contact us. Please click on our Skype button at the bottom of the page. Alternatively you can call: +81 43 301 4997, fax: +81 43 206 1864 or email us: info@japancardirect.com. You can also fill in our email contact form here or check out our Facebook page.

Please see our Terms and Conditions.

If a customer is for some reason unable to complete payment in full, part of the deposit will be used to re-enter the vehicle into the auction. The remaining amount of the deposit will then be refunded when the auction is complete. When a customer wins at auction the deposit can be kept on account with us to allow for bidding on additional vehicles or can be subtracted from the total invoice value for a winning bid.

Of course JCD is happy to assist anybody interested in JDM cars. However, please be aware that some countries have restrictions in place which only allow for importation of vehicles by licensed dealers. Please check with your local government agencies and familiarize yourself with the import procedures and government/custom regulations in the country of destination, not limited to, but including regulations on emissions, age of vehicle, steering, aftermarket equipment, and any vehicle testing or certification necessary before importation.

The auction sheet below is an example from the USS auction network. Most of the auctions use slightly different sheets. Please contact us for a detailed explanation and translation of each particular report that you are interested in.
auction-sheet

S / 6 – The car is less than 12 months old from the first registration date. As good as new. The exterior and interior are in immaculate condition.
5 – A very difficult grade to obtain, the unit will be in near perfect condition with very minor imperfections.
4.5 – A very high grade that you can be confident in. The car may have some very slight imperfections in the body work. Mileage will be higher than a grade 5.
4 – The exterior may have some small scratches and dents. The car is in above average condition, and often has maintenance records. Will only need minor maintenance/repairs if any at all.
3.5 – This is the most common auction grade and the range of condition is very wide. We recommend getting a third party, professional pre bid inspection on all vehicles, but especially grades 3.5 and lower to confirm a vehicle’s condition. Will need standard maintenance and may need minor repairs.
RA – A car that has had MINOR accident damage and has been repaired well. Aside from the minor damage and repair the condition can be as good as grade 4.5. Definitely worth an inspection!
3 – The exterior has many noticeable large scratches/scrapes, paint blemishes, and/or large dents. They will require body work and/or painting. The interior will likely have some combination of tears, cigarette burn marks, and/or stains. These vehicles will require repairs inside and out to varying degrees.
R – The car has accident history and the damage may or may have not been repaired. Like grade 3.5, the range of condition is very wide. We recommend getting an inspection. The inspectors will be able to tell us where and how severe the damage is. This is a grade often associated with drift and rally cars.
2 – The car is in very poor condition and often denotes the presence of corrosion holes – PASS!

*** / 0 / 無効 / Blank Grade – Either of these marks indicate one or more of the following: 1. The vehicle has not been inspected by the auction house 2. The vehicle has been in a major accident 3. The vehicle is not running 4. No claim. We can still often get inspections on these grades.

Please send us any links you would like translated to info@japancardirect.com

Interior / Exterior Detail
These grades are often written below the auction grade on the sheets. The grades given are A through E and 1 through 5 with A and 1 being the best condition. They resemble the grading above

Auction Sheet Abbreviations
AC – Air conditioner
FA/AT – Automatic transmission
F5 – Manual (5-speed) transmission
PS – Power steering
SR – Sunroof
AW – Alloy wheels
AAC – Climate control air conditioner
CA – Column automatic transmission
F6 – Manual (6-speed) transmission
PW – Power windows
TV – Television
カワ・革 – Leather seats
エアB – Airbag

E3 – Some dents which are barely visible.
U1 – A dent which is the size of a thumb.
U2 – A dent which is the size of a palm.
U3 – A dent which is more than size U2.
Y1 – A tear which is the size of a thumb.
Y2 – A tear which is the size of a palm.
Y3 – A tear which is more than size Y2.
W1 – Repair Mark/Wave (hardly detectable).
W2 – Repair Mark/Wave.
W3 – Obvious Repair Mark/Wave (needs to be repainted).
S1 – Rust which is the size of a fist.
S2 – Rust which is more than size S1.
C1 – Major rust corrosion which is the size of a fist.
C2 – Major rust corrosion which is more than size C1.
X – A panel which needs to be replaced.
XX – A panel which has been replaced.

2

3

4

The inspectors call us from the car and we guide them through the vehicle. We have them check the engine for any leaks, vibrations or noises. Check for any maintenance stickers. Check the radiator for any leaks and coolant level. Check for any leaks and the operation of the power steering motor. Check the severity of an accident and quality of repair on an R-rated vehicle. Check for undercarriage rust and corrosion. Check the undercarriage for scuffs and dents. Check the drive shaft and suspension. Check for any leaks from transmission or differentials. Check acceleration and any exhaust leaks of smoke. Check the tires. Check for any brake dust and leaks. Check the trunk for rain water, rust, spare tires and tools. Check the exterior and condition of paint. Check the electrics, including sun roofs, power windows, headlights, wipers, air conditioning, radio, etc. Check for any check lamps. Check the clutch and gear shifts or the AT for time lag and shock. Check the condition of the interior, including nicotine stains, tobacco smell, rips, burns, stains, loose paneling, missing bits, wear and tear, etc., Check the windshield for chips. Check any modifications made to the car and quality of installation. And finally, we ask the inspectors honest opinion of the vehicle. We can also request for additional pictures to be taken at USS auction houses.

Yes. The yard staff can do a variety of simple maintenace jobs and we have trusted mechanics at each port for bigger jobs.

As well as bidding live there are several bidding terminals we use to enter our clients’ bids depending on the time, bid, vehicle, and auction house. In the event 2 or more competing dealers bid using the same terminal only the highest bid will automatically be entered. As always the highest bidder will win for only one bid increment above the second highest bidder so in some cases that can be less than the JCD bid. This works both ways so we always recommend to bid the absolute maximum you would be happy winning for and hope to win for much less.

If a vehicle does not sell at auction the reason it did not sell is because the seller`s reserve price was not met. This reserve price is known only by the auction house and the seller. If it doesn’t sell it goes to negotiation or direct purchase. Direct purchase is a set price, buy at that price and the vehicle is yours. Negotiation will often have some back and forth before a finial price is decided.

Negotiation prices can only go up at auction. There is a start price and that is the lowest you can potentially win it for. If we enter a bid of any amount in negotiation and the seller accepts at that amount the vehicle must be purchased. If the seller requests a higher amount we then have an opportunity to counter until we agree on a price. We will negotiate for the best possible price within your max bid amount. The fee for a successful negotiation is 10,000 yen, charged by the auction house.

For cars at dealers across Japan, we must first call to see that the car is still in stock and that they are willing to sell wholesale. We aim to purchase vehicles at wholesale prices because it is cheaper for the customer, requires less documentation for export and deals can be completed from our offices. Many dealers will not sell wholesale for several reasons. Some dealers simply want to keep the best cars in Japan, where others prefer to sell their cars with service and warranty packages to assure repeat business from a customer. This is retail and in Japan it is not as simple as paying a higher price. A retail purchase requires our staff to be present at the dealership, the vehicle needs to be reregistered in our name, taxes and insurance must be paid, the vehicle is required to pass Shaken road inspection, and proof of parking must be confirmed by the local authorities. Once these things are completed we would finally be able to deregister the vehicle for export. The extra time and costs associated with retail purchases make it prohibitively expensive for our customers and therefore, we do not offer such a service. If the dealer is willing to sell wholesale, we will get more information at your request. We hold dealers to a high standard by requesting additional photos, video if possible and confirmation of mileage via the title. If the dealer is cooperative it is a good car. The costs and process of buying a vehicle off a dealer lot is otherwise the same as buying at auction.

Yes, there are Mercedes, BMWs, Porsches, and other foreign vehicles with left hand steering. Unfortunately it is very rare to find a Japanese model vehicle with LHD in Japan.

When two or more JCD clients want to bid on the same vehicle we let each party involved know they have competition. JCD offers an open bidding system whereby each client has the opportunity to offer their maximum bid. We take only the highest bid offer and enter that amount on our bidding terminal. The highest bidder can always win for less than his max which could be lower than the competing bids from other companies. At all auction houses the highest bidder pays only 1 bid increment on top of the second highest bidder. By not entering the competing, lower bids from JCD clients we are not pushing up the base bid price. Bidding the absolute maximum you’d be happy to win for and hoping to win for less is always the best plan.

JCD has contracts and excellent working relationships with the oldest forwarder in Yokohama, The Keihin Co., Ltd., , Eastern Car Liner and Autohub giving us easy, fast access to ship bookings worldwide. We will get a container or RORO booking depending on scheduling, pricing and car condition to best fit our customer’s needs.

Yes. Storage is free for 60 days at the RORO yards. Additional long term storage can be arranged. Please inquire at info@japancardirect.com.

Yes, JCD handles a variety of buses, campers and construction equipment. Some of the auctions specialize in smaller sized forklifts, shovels, bulldozers, cranes and a good variety of large trucks, including mixers, fire trucks, car transporters, dump trucks etc.

Yes. JCD will be happy to provide you with whatever parts we are able to send in the post. We can purchase new, used, rebuilt, and OEM compliant parts. Shipping parts as inner cargo is no longer provided by the shipping lines.

Yes, we work with several breakers that cut vehicles to the exact specifications of our customers and have them loaded into containers. Vanning will be completed on site and the breaker yards are close to JCD so we can personally supervise the process.　For more information please inquire here.

Yes, please register on our Vehicle Search Engine. You will then be able to search for the vehicles you are looking for at your leisure, 24/7.

We are licensed broker and will bid on your behalf, only ever with your approval.

Using the auction search engine is easy.
1. Register at Vehicle Search Engine
2. Enter the Japanese Auctions section of the site
3. Select the maker and model of the vehicle and click Search.
4. Narrow your search by selecting the year(s), mileage, engine size, chassis code, auction grade, color, transmission etc., and all of the available vehicles at auction will be displayed.
5. You can view the auction report, a front, rear, and sometimes an interior photo. The auction location, car specs, mileage, color, chassis number, auction time and starting bid price are also displayed.
6. When you see a vehicle you are interested in, please copy and paste the internet address (URL) in an email or on skype, and send it to us. See our Vehicle Search Engine Video Tutorial.
7. We will then translate the auction sheet and inform you of the overall condition and history of the vehicle.
8. We can then discuss whether you want a third party professional vehicle evaluator to do an additional inspection for you, and what price range you are willing to pay for the vehicle depending on the finer points of the vehicle ‘s condition.
9. As the additional inspection will be performed on the day of the auction, it is sometimes difficult to communicate the results with you depending on what time zone you are in the world. Usually, if the vehicle meets your requirements for spec and condition, we will use your prior permission, to bid for you. Fingers crossed!!

That’s it, easy, fun and exciting. As well as very satisfying, when you win a vehicle that you really want, at a price you can afford.

The auctions are held from Monday to Saturday, pretty much every week of the year. They are not held for three weeks: “New Year’s” holiday in the first week of January, the “Golden Week” holiday in the first week of May, and “Obon,” a week in the middle of August from around the 13th – 18th. The number of vehicles varies from day to day with Monday and Saturday having the least number of active auctions, and the middle of the week Wednesday and Thursday having the biggest selection of vehicles. Also the largest number of vehicles comes to auction in the spring, as the government’s fiscal year, and the school year, finish March 31st, and most graduates start their new jobs at the start of April. Also a lot of leases finish at the same time, so there is a lot of movement of people and purchasing of new vehicles in the spring.

You may bid on as many vehicles as you wish, but the refundable 60,000 yen deposit only covers one successful purchase up to 1 million yen. If you wish to bid more than 1 million yen on a vehicle we require 8% of the intended max bid.
We will bid on the cars that you have selected in the order that they come to auction, until we have a winning bid. Once the first vehicle is paid for in full you are able to bid again.

The Japanese car auctions list information regarding the condition of all parts of the car on the Auction Sheet, including the condition of all the panels, members, pillars, radiator core support and whether the vehicle has experienced an accident (minor or major). All parts that have been replaced are also noted on the inspection report. We have a professional, 3rd party pre-bidding inspection done on every vehicle to confirm the information on the auction sheet and condition of the car.

FAQs car parts

Please see How to Buy.

We aim to deliver vehicles to you as quickly as possible. We have every incentive to do so, as the quicker you get the cars, the happier you are, and a happy customer tends to use our service again. To give you an idea of what happens from the time you buy a car at auction, to when our involvement ends, take a look at the following steps:
1. We win the car at auction.
2. After receiving your payment in full we pay for the car.
3. We have the car transported to the nearest domestic port.
4. The documents are sent from the seller to the auction. (The original seller will usually do this in a day or so, but the auction rules allow them up to two weeks).
5. The documents are sent from the auction to us.
6. We make a reservation on the next ship heading for your country. The availability of ships depends on the destination country, and the method of transportation, either Roll On/Roll Off, (RORO), or by container.
7. The registration of the vehicle for use on the Japanese roads is canceled, and the Export Certificate is made at the District Transport Bureau.
8. The Invoice, Shipping Instructions and Export Certificate are sent to the forwarder that handles both the ship bookings and Customs Clearance.
9. The car leaves on a ship bound for the country designated by the customer.
10. The Bill of Lading, unless surrendered in Japan, the original Export Certificate, and other necessary documents are couriered to JCD from the port.
11. We send the Bill of Lading, Invoice (Bill of Sale), Export Certificate, English Translation of the Export Certificate (where necessary), and any other required documents such as JAAI Certificates, or Certificates of Origin that are necessary to take procession of the vehicle.
12. The total time after a vehicle has been won at auction, until it is loaded on the ship, ranges on average between two weeks and a month. The two main factors to consider are how fast we get the documents from the auction house after purchase, and the timing of the ship leaving the port in Japan. Then of course there is the time on the ship between Japan and the destination port, which varies from a few days, to more than a month, depending on the destination port location.

Please see How to Buy.

All of the costs are listed in Japanese yen, unless otherwise specified. You can use the currency converter here to calculate an approximate price in your currency. Contact Us for a free, detailed estimate.

Freight is calculated based on the cubic meter (M3) size of a vehicle when shipped RORO (Roll On Roll Off). RORO M3 rates vary by shipping line and destination port. RORO is almost always the cheapest, safest and easiest option for shipping.

We can also arrange for container shipping to most ports worldwide. The cost is determined by shipping line, destination port, and container size. Vanning charges are dependent on the number of vehicles and style of vanning. Unloading charges at the destination port will generally be higher than that of RORO and all of the vehicles and parts in the container must be listed on the same Bill Of Lading.

Yes, in addition to Japanese yen, JCD accepts payment in US, Australian, New Zealand, British and Euro funds. Please see our bank information here.

PayPal – The safer, easier way to pay online!
We also accept deposits by PayPal to (pay@japancardirect.com)
Log into your account, and lets start working together today!

Yes you can, however you must be a resident of Japan to register and insure the vehicle. Our service fee for domestic sales is 69,000 yen. In addition, you will need to pay the full auction house invoice and inland transport to your desired location.

The identity of the buyer and seller at auction is kept private by the auction house. The vehicles being sold are being sold as-is, and the parties involved are non-consequential. Dealerships either buy from auctions themselves with the same understanding or accept trade ins, inspecting the vehicle before so. We recommend that our customers get pre bid inspections performed on all vehicles to confirm condition. JCD will not contact or help contact any past owners as it is against auction regulations, not to mention, very much against Japanese business practices. Checking any maintenance records that come with your vehicle or using a vehicle history record service is the best way to look into your vehicle’s past.

In the case where two or more people have requested an inspection, the highest bidder will pay for the inspection regardless of if they win or not.

Only clients who have requested the inspection can see the inspection report. However, if the inspection for a vehicle comes back with critical flaws (not running, heavy oil leak, white smoke), all clients that are interested in the vehicle, will be informed even if they did not request the inspection.

The Export Certificate is the acting title for all vehicles shipped from Japan. It is the most important document you will receive as the hard copy is required to register the vehicle in your home country. Take very close care of it as it is not possible to have another one made.
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  • It was my first time buying a car online, let alone overseas. These guys are legit!!!
    Yoshi has been very patient, transparent and prompt with all queries. The car was exactly...     read more

    Bobby Capa Avatar
    Bobby Capa
    11/22/2022

    FIRST TIME BUYER
    So…. I have just ordered my second car from Yoshiro Nakajima at Japan Car Direct. Keep in mind my first car has only just gotten to the port,...     read more

    Alpesh Patel Avatar
    Alpesh Patel
    9/11/2022

    Great service. This was my first time importing a car from Japan. Everything was well explained and the whole process went very smooth. Would highly recommend!! Thank you Yoshi!

    John Power Avatar
    John Power
    9/08/2022

  • Importing through Japan Car Direct has been a great experience through and through. Their assistance in the auction and bidding process and arranging shipping is top notch. More importantly their... read more

    Peter Hagemeyer Avatar
    Peter Hagemeyer
    9/07/2022

    Awesome experience working with Taylor, he was extremely helpful and patience. It was my first time exporting a vehicle and he walked me through step by step and didn't... read more

    Eric Southerland Avatar
    Eric Southerland
    9/06/2022

    Japan Car Direct made buying a car from Japan dangerously easy. 🙂 Yoshiro was a great help. He was responsive and supportive through the whole process. They have... read more

    Tim Meunier Avatar
    Tim Meunier
    9/04/2022

  • I had an excellent experience working with Matthew at Japan Car Direct. I was a first time auction buyer and importer to the United States. Mathew walked me through... read more

    Alex Spiegel Avatar
    Alex Spiegel
    8/11/2022

    A great experience for my first time importing a car from Japan. Mike’s customer service was second to none and all the paperwork was in order.

    Bobby Crumpley Avatar
    Bobby Crumpley
    8/03/2022

    Matthew at JCD is the man. I’ve now imported three of my own cars through him. JCD was able to accommodate my unique needs, everything from short turn around inspections,... read more

    Chan Shin Avatar
    Chan Shin
    7/29/2022

  • I highly recommend Japan Car Direct. They help you find exactly what you are looking for and are with you throughout the entire process. Import was seamless. Mike was great... read more

    Sir Selrahc Avatar
    Sir Selrahc
    7/14/2022

    Before this I have never imported any vehicles to NZ let alone one from Japan! I decided to give these guys a shot and bought a JDM Tesla into the... read more

    Edward Yuan Avatar
    Edward Yuan
    7/11/2022

    Great experience. Extremely easy process and Kept me well informed. Highly recommend them if looking to purchase a vehicle from Japan.

    Antonio Sevilla Avatar
    Antonio Sevilla
    7/08/2022

  • It's hard to say anything that hasn't been said from other reviewers! This was my first experience importing a vehicle. Mike Nguyen was super patient with me and my indecisiveness.... read more

    Law_of_the Za Avatar
    Law_of_the Za
    6/30/2022

    I used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.

    The...     read more

    matthew martin Avatar
    matthew martin
    6/24/2022

    Just picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my... read more

    TK Mad Avatar
    TK Mad
    6/18/2022
Japan Car Direct provides friendly, honest, efficient service. Get the vehicles you want today at a price you can afford!!

We accept refundable deposits by PayPal to (pay@japancardirect.com). Log into your account, and lets start working together today!
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