Buying an Import for the UK
An imported or 'Grey' vehicle is one that has been built for use outside of the UK. It is quite probable that both models will have been made on the same production line.
This means a car may even have been built in the UK but destined for use outside of the UK. A car becomes classed as an import once it has been brought into the UK.
When buying a new car here in Britain we have to pay significantly more than people in other parts of Europe, Japan, USA, etc. So much more in fact that it can be cheaper to re-import a car like a brand new Rover MGF (a British made car) back into the UK and still save thousands on the UK list price.
Engines, Servicing, Parts and Inspections
All the mainstream car manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Ford, Rover, Subaru, etc. these days are building 'World Cars'. In other words cars designed to be used and sold in all regions of the world. The MR2 is a world car.
Cars which are not designed to be used in Europe may not meet standards required by UK law for use on our roads - thankfully these types of cars are as rare as hens teeth.
Its only really cars with unique engines, body parts and glass panels you have to watch out for as getting parts for these can take weeks and be pretty expensive too.
In order to satisfy the legal requirements and tastes of the destination country, imports may have been built to different specifications than normal UK cars.
This too can sometimes lead to difficulties in obtaining spares. For popular cars like the MR2 however, problems in locating parts are pretty minimal.
This is really because models such as this have always been available to the UK market and so basics like interior switches, body panels and servicing parts are easily available via the normal channels such as dealers or motor factors.
Are Japanese imports any good?
It is not true to say an imported vehicle will be of a lower quality standard either. Indeed it is usually the case that cars destined for use outside of the UK tend to have higher specifications.
For instance in Japan and America for years now virtually every car built has come with air conditioning or climate control as standard. In the UK air con is normally offered as an option.
Japanese secondhand cars generally have higher 'standard' specifications, lower mileage, good main dealer service records and better bodywork.
The Japanese have an excellent public transport network and the many road tolls and parking costs (which can exceed £20,000 per year) discourage use of cars for daily commuting.
Most cars therefore have very low mileage and are mainly used for leisure purposes. Japanese emissions laws are much stricter than in the UK, this coupled with ‘Shaken’ regulations mean cars de-value very quickly after three years. (Shaken loosely compared to our system is the equivalent of insurance, tax and MOT paid in one lump sum for a three year period, ouch!).
There is virtually no second hand car market in Japan and manufacturers encourage and promote regular trade ups to next years models through lucrative deals.
Converting an import for UK use
Conversion of a Japanese car to pass UK MOT regulations is quite simple and pretty cheap to do.
Normally this consists of adding a rear fog light (£25), changing the speedometer dial faces to MPH from KM and getting it re-calibrated (about £100).
Also adding a radio band extender (£25 or simply replacing the stereo), and if really needed (not essential) removing the speed restriction limits which is usually 125mph or higher (£150).
Some cars have side lights that need to be changed to light up yellow instead of orange - most MOT stations don’t really care for the last point.
Finally, if the car is less than 3 years old it will need to pass an SVA test - I believe this costs about £130 and at the end of the day is really just a two hours, more comprehensive version of a MOT test which needs to be booked via DVLA.