Imported car myth buster......

[Mazda Mender]

Are imported cars undersealed to the same standard?


Yes. Any all MX5s/Eunos's/Roadsters/Miatas are undersealed to exactly the same standard at the factory, Which to be honest was a flash over and not the best, what is applied over time and with the MX5/Eunos/Roadster/Miata being a low sports car this underseal can be scraped and chipped off. Problems with salted roads and bare metal are accentuated in the UK (in Japan they use snow tyres and chains and don't salt the roads, hence generally rust-free vehicles) so we recommend you get your car undersealed and box sections done if you intend to keep it for a considerable time.


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Are 'UK' MX5s built in the UK?


No. All MX5s/Eunoss/Roadsters/Miatas are built in Hiroshima, Japan. That's right, even 'UK' cars are built in Japan. They too are imported over to this country.

Don't believe us? Phone your local Mazda dealer and ask them!


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How do I know the MX5 wasn't stolen in Japan?


There was a short period a good few years ago where a number of imports were being stolen from Japan, processed in Dubai and then imported into the UK via Ireland. These cars still rightfully belong to their owners in Japan and there were some cases of cars being recovered and the UK owner being completely out of pocket with no recompense.

Thankfully this was only true of the more high end value marques ,it was primarily the Honda NSX and Skyline GTR. . There was no money to be made from cheap sports cars so the thieves didn't bother with them.

There is a Police check at the dockside in Japan before the car is allowed to be exported. When registering the car in the UK the DVLA check with Interpol that the car is not recorded as being stolen.

At this time we do not know of and have never ever heard of a stolen (imported) Eunos,s/Roadsters ending up in the UK, from ANY source?.( if you have a story , then lets hear it)

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Aren't all Japanese MX5s left-hand drive?


No. The Japanese drive on the same side of the road as the UK, the steering wheel is on the right.


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Aren't import MX5 parts hard to find?


No. Contrary to what Mazda would have you believe 99% of the parts are exactly the same as on 'English spec' Mx5s. They all rolled off the same production line in Hiroshima, Japan. The sheer quantity of imports in this country has led to a growing market of specialist importers of car parts. Meaning We never need to order parts from Japan. Ever since I imported my first Eunos/Roadster I didn't once have any problems getting parts here in the UK.
Mazda dealerships were funny about dealing with a import here at the beginning but have since seen sense and released they were losing out on our hard earned , so even if you go to a dealership i am sure they will help.

Both new and second hand, parts and a very wide selection of accessories are available from many outlets and are very easy to source, including from our sponsors Autolinmx5 and Jass performance.... even to the fact that Mazda Japan are still having 80% of the parts still made for the MK 1 because of just how they are still popular and stood the test of time.



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Importing a car from Japan into the UK(2019)

Importing a car for yourself:- The price varies with exchange rates of course from the Japanese Yen to the British Pound, but at current rates (Jan-2019), if you bought a car for £1000 at auction in Japan, with an agent like Autolink ( http://www.autolinkuk.co.uk ) to do all the paperwork, it would cost you approximately £3750 landed in the UK and customs cleared. You'd then need to wire up a rear fog light, MPH speedo face conversion, MOT and register it,or Autolink can do it all for you which makes it all hassle free, now that is for a 10 year old car and older...

If it is a younger car than 10 years old then the cost will be higher as it will also need a IVA test and a Model report (if there is one available for the car in question), this can be very costly and time consuming, so we wouldn't recommend it.

M-m

[Mazda Mender]

Andrew can you check this over please....