Jap Import Auctions

[hadyn]

Hi all,

 

I've heard a lot about auctions for jap cars 'fresh off the boat' in the UK in docks such as Liverpool and Southampton.

 

Does anyone have any links/details of the main auction places for jap import cars in the UK? Can you buy good cars this way and what kind of costs do you have to put on top of the purchase price in regards to MOT, Registration and SVA (if required?)

 

Cheers,,,,

[RobSheffield]

I asked about this 4 years back and was told not to waste my time. The cars fresh off the boat mean that no UK importer wanted it, basically its the crap leftovers!

[hadyn]

That bad eh???

[RobSheffield]

If ya think about it, the only way they will be stuffed on a boat with no buyer is if nobody bought it, which means it wasnt worth it.

 

You may be able to get a wreck, but it depends what you want to use it for.

 

Things may have changed but i doubt it

[Jurgen-Jm-Imports]

liverpool is closed now..

 

only southampton but not much choice

 

http://www.lpa-live.co.uk/

[hadyn]

 

only southampton but not much choice

 

http://www.lpa-live.co.uk/

 

Is that place any good?

 

Also - its only for traders, joe public like me cant buy can they?

[Jurgen-Jm-Imports]

Is that place any good?

i have never bought from there but am sure some stuff might be ok if your prepared to swap parts and use some tools..

 

but there is not much there, a local guy got a lancer evo cheap with excellent body but the crank went few days later

[hoff]

I know people that bought from Liverpool and went myself a couple of times. There were a few very tidy cars there, not neccesarilly performance cars though, a few decant cars and a lot of dogs.

[Chris Wilson]

Anyone can sign up for on line or present on the day auction access to LPA. I have seen loads of excellent cars come out of there at very handy money. Like any auction they have good and bad days, good and bad stock levels, and good and bad cars IN stock. You need to go regularly with an open mind, auctions are pretty useless if you ONLY want a black manual MKIV with a certain body kit with certain wheels. If you just want a cheap imported car they are fantastic.

[ozz]

Newport auctions in South wales used to have an import evening, lots of Jap cars there.

[SupraAyf]

Is that place any good?

 

Also - its only for traders, joe public like me cant buy can they?

I have a trading number for the auctions in Southampton;) and yes, you do need to be trade affiliated for this one.

 

Basically, you pay the hammer price which is all-inclusive, plus the auction fee which is normally between 150-250 quid. You can then take the car away from the docks.

 

As an example but if the hammer price is 3k then the auctioneer’s accountants will work it so the cost of the car; import costs and UK VAT etc will all combine to 3k only, so you pay the hammer price and that's it (plus the house fee as mentioned above).

 

You will need to be careful that the car does not need an SVA/ESVA as that can cost circa 750-1000 quid depending on model. You also have transportation costs on top of this too (unless you have trade plates) so the figure can soon mount up if you're not careful.

 

As Rob said below, there can be some right duffers but you will be pleasantly surprised just what great bargains exist. To avoid the dogs, you need to either know your cars or take a guy along with you who knows his stuff.