Considering purchasing Jap import Gti advice

[Tomi9870]

Hi all

New to the forum and looking to purchase my first golf mk5 gti :)

I've found this golf which is mint, very low mileage at 23k but it's a Jap import. The owner has advised the clocks are in KM

https://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/vw-golf-mk5-gti-dsg-/1373874768

The owner has had it since Feb this year

What would be the insurance/tax implications?
What will be missing spec wise if anything on an import vs a UK spec vehicle?

Should i consider or avoid?

Any advice and guidance would be appreciated

[Tomi9870]

The engine is AAX is this a weaker engine compared to the BWA engine?

[titchy]

Jap cars tend not to have a lot of rust protection Ins can be problematic due to type approval

[Adrian 200bhp]

Not worth the hassle mate. If youve got 5grand + to spend theres a lot of decent ones out there for that money.

[LC5F]

Clocks are an easy fix, either change the backing foils for MPH ones and tweak settings in VCDS or swap the whole cluster

You will constantly get asked by insurance “is your car an import to the UK” - unsure if that is a big issue, but suspect it may be more monies

Non domestic cars in Japan get hammered for import tax, so tend to get looked after well. Already mentioned rustproofing can be an issue, but this can be sorted for a few hundred pounds.

[Tomi9870]

Went to view the car, couple of minor dings on the doors, front bumper is slightly scuffed

The headlining has come away from the roof, it's  been stapled to the roof which was a put off as the adhesive has failed

Service is due including the dsg oil service

Had a brief look underneath the car, no signs of rust whatsoever, arches are fine too

[Tonksy]

Have you asked the seller how the car was purchased/sold in Japan? 

I had a car imported from Japan which was purchased through auction, Integra DC5, not a VW.  If the car was sold through auction, ask to see the auction sheet as this will tell you how the car was graded.  Although it may not be 100% accurate, it should give an indication if it had bodywork damage, mileage, etc.

Insurance shouldn't be an issue. Mine was garaged and a weekend car, and I was paying less than £400.  The garage and being the wrong side of 30 probably helped with that premium though.

Tax, check what the owner is currently paying and what is on the V5.  When importing it is down to DVLA to enter the details correctly which can affect how much tax is paid.  On DVLA's first attempt they put down that my car was a pickup 

Rust, my car was undersealed on arrival.  Not that expensive but something to factor-in.

Clocks, there are a few companies out there who can do the conversion.  Some will give you a BIMTA certificate, some don't.

There are also companies who can provide you with the cars history from Japan.

[pudding]

Importing a DC5 is well worth the hassle since they were never available here, but as others have said, importing a GTI really isn't.  They are in abundance in the UK and Europe so it's not worth it.  With the dings and dropped headlining, it sounds like you can do better anyway.

Looked after UK MK5s should have none, to a bear minimum of rust, so a Japanese spec one is of no advantage really.  Northern Japan gets snow and lots of rain anyway, so no different to the UK's climate.

[Tomi9870]

I think I'll pass on this one, given that it needs both a dsg oil change and service, cambelt needs changing, dents on the doors and roof lining sorting and also i  would want to sort the speedo out all this i suspect will cost 1k plus and for peace of mind underseal the car.

It's also got the earlier AXX engine :(

It's a shame as its only done 23k!