A Japanese car auction could be the best place to source the exotic or unique vehicle you‘ve wanted for so long. The cars sell for trade prices, so you‘re effectively becoming a car dealer (and making the savings, too). The trade-off is that you need assistance- the logistical difficulties and general pitfalls involved with importation are exacerbated by inexperience.

Put yourself in the shoes of the seller. Once the car is sold at auction that is the last they see or hear of it. There are cars at auction that should be avoided. There are agents and importers that should be avoided, too.  

In the bad old days of auctions, and it still might happen in some countries, it was common for car dealers to use auctions to get rid of lemons. Someone buying from an auction might get a dud with bad tyres, battery that only works a few times, crappy stereo and starter motor. In a worse situation it could be an engine or transmission that are beyond repair.

There are sharks that go with auctions- you know the types that are bidding on their own cars to drive up the prices. They look for cleanskins or public bidders who have no knowledge of the auction scene. It is better to use an agent with ten years experience like Autoadvan so you can avoid these lowlifes.

While the Japanese car auction scene is a buyers market, you still need to be wary. However, the tough grading systems in place ensure almost everything you need to look out for is available in the auction report. The auction inspectors list small scratches, all the way up to serious modifications. However, there is the chance something still might slip through and that is why it pays to use an independent mechanical consultant like one of Autoadvan’s many inspectors.

Bidding at any auction can be a huge adrenaline rush, but the buyer needs to have a cool head. It is easy to become addicted when the bidding starts to gain momentum. Therefore, if you are bidding yourself be careful. Autoadvan can bid for you and with up to 150,000 cars a week going through Japanese car auctions you’ll get plenty of bites of the cherry.  

So many professional collectors and dealers use independent, professional bidders because they know the best deals and how to play the auction game. This has long been the case for antiques, artworks, houses, etc. That’s why so many people use Autoadvan when sourcing a vehicle from Japanese car auctions- their results have been impressive.

Some things to be careful of with Japanese cars incude the soft ride (there suspensions are set up for very flat roads). Steering and tyre quality can sometimes be an issue, too. Japanese drivers rarely travel over 55mph, so the car will be set up for those driving conditions.

In addition, because Japanese drivers trade their cars in every couple of years, there are suggestions that servicing may not be as regular as it should by some owners. This is where you need quality inspectors and agents to help guide your purchase and sort the trash from the treasure.

Japan has a tough legislation to encourage Japanese car owners to buy new vehicles every three, five or seven years. Japanese car auctions have real bargains on vehicles from three years old and vehicles that are seven years old are at giveaway prices.

Most Japanese car owners look after their vehicles extremely well. Japan is one of, if not the most, proactive country in the world with regard to environmental care. To the Japanese it is seen as duty to ensure low impact on the environment through emission and waste control. Therefore, the cars are usually well looked after and serviced regularly.  

There is some doubt over diesel engines and there tolerance to Japanese conditions. As a result, a person wishing to purchase a diesel powered vehicle from a Japanese car auction should consult with a quality importer or agent to get factual and objective information.  
 
Shipping from Japan can be a real issue if you aren’t using an agent with buying power. Space is limited and the wait could be many months longer if you choose to buy independently or use a backyard or part-time agent.

There are many positives and negatives associated with buying a car through a Japanese car auction. Obviously, the major positives are price and the vast selection available. The significant savings in price bring new breeds of agents and dealers- the backyard or part-time dealers are the ones to beware. These dealers are commission driven and most likely to source you a wreck at premium prices. Worse still, they may just disappear with your money. Imagine yourself suddenly unable to find your agent and no way of tracking your car’s whereabouts- the car you have already paid money for.

The best advice anyone can offer is use the experts who have been established for a long time. An organisation like Autoadvan has ten years experience in car importation. Their knowledge of the Japanese car auction scene is invaluable to any person wishing to make a purchase using this dynamic auction system.

The biggest disadvantage to purchasing from a Japanese car auction is the one you can cause yourself by taking it on alone or by using amateurs to assist you. If something goes wrong there is the potential for it to be very costly.

Use an expert with years of experience like Autoadvan .