GR86 Importing a GR86 from Japan

[NEGr86]

With the sold out allocations. Is anyone looking into importing a gr86 from Japan or have any experience in importing cars in general?
Is there any major disadvantages of this?

 

[thaitanium]

The main disadvantages would be the additional costs in terms of shipping, taxes and fees. I believe you would also require an IVA with them being less than 10 years old. However the list price of a new GR86 from Japan is less than they are here, so you might not come out badly in the end, plus you'd have the added option of getting a special edition car that won't be sold in the UK if that was of interest.

Might be best to speak to a specialist such as Torque GT?

 

[AndyRC]

Welcome @Alistoke11 and @thaitanium, I’m sure a few folk will be seriously considering this option. No idea how this would affect Japanese cars built after the GR86 can no longer be legally sold in Europe due to being non compliant with EU requirements , eg a 2025 special edition GR86

 

[thaitanium]

I'm no expert by any means (I have previously imported a few cars that were all over 10 years old at the time) but I understand that the IVA requires the vehicle to meet either European or Comparable Standards.

They can do this by a direct comparison where the model was sold over here - so GR86s manufactured before the cut off date should be fine, but I imagine there'd be an issue with later models manufactured after our two year allocation over here ends and the new European standards come into force?

However as a personal import, you may be able to argue Comparable Standards - eg. since the vehicle meets Japanese standards they can be classed as compliant over here. That would potentially be a route to getting a later model year vehicle over here. Not sure how that would go down with the DVSA when the 2024 cutoff seems to be well known though.

If it was possible, I'm personally a big fan of the orange special editions and would love to own one... Might have to make some enquiries too!

 

[AndyRC]

I'm no expert by any means (I have previously imported a few cars that were all over 10 years old at the time) but I understand that the IVA requires the vehicle to meet either European or Comparable Standards.

They can do this by a direct comparison where the model was sold over here - so GR86s manufactured before the cut off date should be fine, but I imagine there'd be an issue with later models manufactured after our two year allocation over here ends and the new European standards come into force?

However as a personal import, you may be able to argue Comparable Standards - eg. since the vehicle meets Japanese standards they can be classed as compliant over here. That would potentially be a route to getting a later model year vehicle over here. Not sure how that would go down with the DVSA when the 2024 cutoff seems to be well known though.

If it was possible, I'm personally a big fan of the orange special editions and would love to own one... Might have to make some enquiries too!

@thaitanium sounds like an interesting project you have in mind, would be great to keep us posted on what you discover, personally I’d like the JDM red interior

 

[Grblue86]

I'm no expert by any means (I have previously imported a few cars that were all over 10 years old at the time) but I understand that the IVA requires the vehicle to meet either European or Comparable Standards.

They can do this by a direct comparison where the model was sold over here - so GR86s manufactured before the cut off date should be fine, but I imagine there'd be an issue with later models manufactured after our two year allocation over here ends and the new European standards come into force?

However as a personal import, you may be able to argue Comparable Standards - eg. since the vehicle meets Japanese standards they can be classed as compliant over here. That would potentially be a route to getting a later model year vehicle over here. Not sure how that would go down with the DVSA when the 2024 cutoff seems to be well known though.

If it was possible, I'm personally a big fan of the orange special editions and would love to own one... Might have to make some enquiries too!

There are a few people carriers around, Nissan elgrand I think that were never sold here and many other cars (kei cars) and that doesn't seem to stop the importers so I reckon you would be safe even post 2024