Hi again, hope all are well !
Ok, so my hubby has now set his sights on a Nissan Terano 93 2.7L TDcI - it looks incredible and we've checked the "Whats good/Whats bad" etc.
The only thing is, its from a company that imports international vehicles - this one comes from Japan.
Should we be aware of anything regarding this? Its an "N" Reg - does this mean its actually older that this but has been in the country since "N", or do they backdate number plates?
Any comments/experiences would be gratefully received
xx
Patricia
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Hi,
I used to drive an "imported" Honda Prelude, there are certain factors that would make me wary of doing so again.
The first problem was registering it with Dvla, mine had Irish plates on (which I quite lihked as they were almost personalised) but for some reason, Dvla wanted to re-register it with English plates, and I had a heck of a job to persuade them otherwise.
Then I had exactly the same problem with the Insurance companies, plus (that was when I could find one to give me a quote) and my quotes were always dearer than my friends,(who also had a Prelude, but English Spec).
The other Problem was Parts, the "import" parts are very slightly different from the English parts, luckily i didn't need too many, but silly things like the brake pads were larger and twice as dear, and the exhaust front pipe was going to cost £200 and be brought from Belgium, where as my friends was £80 from "down the road". In the end i had a full s/s steel system fabricated and fitted for £50 more than the front pipe alone.
However on the plus side, my "import" Prelude was a far higher quality car than its european counterpart, and once I'd overcome the above teething problems, I never regretted owning it.
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I drive an imported Japanese car, and feel it is just as safe as UK equivulants.
you might have to check tyre speed ratings (often rated much lower), but this should be picked up by the SVA test that an import car has to go through.
Similarly, the car will need a rear fog light and white front side lights fitting - but I don't think these really compromises safety.
So I'm not too sure of the thrust of your question?
Eg
safe structurally: there will be no difference between a JDM vehicle and cars for other export markets. My import MR2 was built on exactly the same production line as UK MR2s - there's no way a Jap car would be any less safe.
safe to drive: in terms of the Terano itself - do you mean is this model unsafe in terms of centre of gravity or road holding? I doubt it.
A safe buy in terms of it's legal ownership: as long as it is UKregistered, matching V5 and the necessary documentation you should be fine. Insurance might be sligthly higher though.
safe in terms of maintenance: a lot of JDM and UK parts are interchangable - it depends on the model though. Also, some manufacturers have done badge motoring, so the Isuzu Tf is a Vauxhall Brava etc. Have a nose round some 4x4 forums to see what else shares the Terano engine and chassis (fords?)
I hope this helps - people who write off imports as too risky just make them a better deal for everyone else!
Ian
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Why bother with a Jap import Terrano when there are so many genuine UK cars around at very reasonable prices and without the silly wing mirror.
With this car, look out for uneven tyre wear on fronts due to steering geometry faults, worn front wheel bearings due to their not being adjusted/lubricated properly, leaking back door causing wet load area carpet. Remember, this car can and does corrode, the chassis is tough but the body is not and will be a bit rough after 14 years even in Japan.
Good luck, buy a good'un and you will have a lot of fun.
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Forgot to mention, if its imported from Japan it will be fitted with a rev-limiter, with mine being an automatic I had to have mine re-chipped to make it more suitable to our road/driving styles.
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don't forget the original radio won't work here - you'll need a converter at least or even a whole new radio. Also it may not be undersealed so if you don't do it it'll rust quicker than a 70's Lancia.
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Yes, they are safe.
They are registered according to the date of manufacture declared on the Japanese de-registration document, so a '95 car would be an M-reg.
Vehicles built over 10 years ago do not need an SVA test, just an MoT. Newer than 10 years needs SVA (fuel tank restrictor, back fog lamp, MPH speedo dial, plus various alterations to lighting, exhaust, emissions check etc according to particular vehicle. You may need a Model Report).
Japanese tyres should be replaced with Euro-spec tyres.
Radio can be fitted with a 'band expander' (£10) or buy a new unit.
Car made before Aug.95 for which there is no UK equivalent have to meet only lower emissions spec (3.5% CO).
Generally Jap-market stuff newly imported will be in much much better condition than something thats been in the UK for years. Some 12 year old Jap vehciles look good as new. Its not always the case though - there is still a fair amount of tat being brought in and tarted up, so as ever its buyer beware.
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I believe I am right in saying that some Jap imports have poorer or non-existent rust treatment/underseal, and so you may like to Waxoyl (or similar) the car if you do buy it.
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Japan has a very severe MOT test and,having failed,cars are often exported rather than repaired or scrapped-also a lot of secondhand parts for Japanese cars come from the ones that are scrapped.
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In New Zealand, the vehicle market has been almost completely converted from expensive locally assembled to imported used examples. That goes for cars, commercials, SUVs, motorcycles, agricultural. This started over twenty years ago, and it has brought the average vehicle age down considerably.
In the early days some tat was imported, but the cars are now generally younger, in very good condition, and highly specified. Our vehicle inspection regulators have imposed increasingly stringent conditions, such as frontal impact protection standards, that are linked to more recent Japanese Domestic Market standards.
Overall, Japanese imports have proven to be reliable, safe and long-lasting. Salt is not used on the roads here, but corrosion is very heavily monitored and policed at the NZ six-monthly equivalent of the MOT.
There are a couple of things that do bear thinking about, however. Diesel engines apparently wear out just as quickly at idle as during running. JDM vehicles can be expected to have been subjected to a lot of time in traffic, so for diesels, the mileage may be much less than the wear on the engine suggests.
Nowadays the odometer clocking is much less of a problem, but it is good to sight some supporting original Japanese documentation such as a service book to confirm that the stated mileage is genuine. A number of Japanese agencies carry out this work as a service to importers, so look for something along these lines.
Lastly, it is often easier and cheaper to source parts for Japanese imports from New Zealand suppliers than from Japan. We (sort of ) speak the same language and NZ has much more experience than the UK with these vehicles.
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Must admit I've never seen a Nissan Terrano that 'looks incredible'
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Weren't European Terrano(and Ford Maverick)built in Spain?
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