Bonsaicars Frequently Asked Questions
Before I Bid. 2
What's this all about?. 2
When do I have to pay for the car and any other payments?. 2
Costs Involved. 2
How do the auctions work?. 3
Can you find cars to suit my specs for me?. 4
Can you ship cars anywhere other than the UK?. 4
What assurances do I get?. 4
What is the cost to make a bid?. 5
Why should I buy my car through Bonsaicars?. 5
How long does the purchasing process take?. 5
What is IVA and will my car need it?. 5
What is Japanese stock?. 5
What is UK Stock?. 5
Do you have any client references. 5
Do you offer Part Exchange?. 5
Are there any insurance problems with imported cars?. 6
Will the car come with a Warranty?. 6
Do I have to pay a deposit?. 6
What Assurances do I get?. 6
Can I view / test drive from your UK Stock?. 6
Bidding on a car 7
What’s included / excluded in my bid?. 7
What is the difference between option 1, 2 and 3?. 7
What’s an auction report and why do I need an auction specialist to talk me through it before I bid? 7
What are all the codes on the auction report?. 7
Between Bidding and Collection. 8
I want to speak to someone on the telephone! But you’re engaged! 8
How will I know what’s happening with my car?. 8
I’ve changed my mind, can I cancel?. 8
Once the car has arrived into the UK. 9
Can you register my car with DVLA?. 9
Can you deliver my car once ready?. 9
What happens if the car is not as per the auction report?. 9
I purchased using Option 1, how do I register my car?. 9
Bonsaicars offer a unique system to the UK buyer whereby clients can view from 120,000 + cars per week and see full details including photographs and a report - with the ultimate option of bidding for and potentially buying at great savings when compared to UK prices.
Once we notify you by email that you have won the auction, we send you various documents and information straight away. You need to organise the payment for the car itself and to pay Bonsaicars Sourcing Fee within 7 days.
The Japan payment for the car is made via Telegraphic Transfer from your bank and all the details will be included within the email we send you. Bonsai’s sourcing fee can be paid either by Direct Transfer or by cheque.
Once the car arrives at Southampton Dock (or another dock if previously agreed), Shipping, Import Duty and VAT bills will be created and we will mail this to you. Once that bill has been paid, HM Customs will release the car to us.
Option 3 clients’ cars will then be collected and taken to the IVA testing garages and prepared, then tested. Once the test is completed, an invoice will be mailed to us and we will forward this to you for direct payment.
The final payment will occur when we request your documents for DVLA registration. For cars under 10 years old, the fee is £277.75 which includes the initial registration fee and up to 6 months Road Tax. For cars over 10 years, the fee is £159.50 and this includes the initial registration fee and up to 6 months Road Tax.
Option 1 - £500 + VAT: Bonsaicars arrange shipping & customs clear the car. You will be responsible for ensuring the car has an IVA and MOT Test (if required) and register the car with DVLA.
Option 2 - £695 + VAT: Bonsaicars arrange shipping & customs clear the car. We will then MOT Test your car, register with DVLA and add number plates. Other costs associated with Option 2 are:
- Registration – If engine cc not over 1549cc £121, if over 1549cc £159.50 (includes up to 6 months road tax)
- MOT Test £58 + VAT
- MOT Preparation & Pass Service £50 + VAT
- MOT Preparation Kit (incl full MPH converter / derestrictor & complete fog light kit) £100 + VAT
- Full Valet £59.95 + VAT
- License Plates £25 +VAT
- Transport from Southampton Docks to Bonsaicars Yard £45
Option 3 - £695 + VAT: Bonsaicars arrange shipping & customs clear the car. We will then IVA / MOT Test your car, register with DVLA and add number plates. Other costs associated with Option 3 are:
- Registration £277.75 (includes up to 6 months road tax)
- MOT (if required) £58 + VAT
- MOT Preparation & Pass Service £50 + VAT
- MOT Prep Kit (including full MPH converter / derestrictor & complete fog light kit) £100 + VAT
- Full Valet £59.95 + VAT
- License Plates £25 + VAT
- Transport from Southampton Docks to Bonsaicars Yard £45
The way we work, is that you would look through the auctions
www.bonsaicars.com 4pm-9pm Tuesdays to Fridays.
When you see a car you like the look of, email sales(at)bonsiacars.com or call 0870 020 3600 (our auction line) and we’ll up load the report for the car. The report is very important because it will tell us the condition of the vehicle.
When you bid, you will bid your maximum prices – i.e. I bid £5000 with option 1 (2 or 3 depending on the service you want). We will take off all extras costs (shipping, our fee, vat, customs duty) and that will leave us an amount to bid up to in Japanese Yen. This way, we will never go above your budget of £5000; there are no hidden costs and often clients will get the car for less than they bid for, so they come in safely under their budget.
Grading
The grading scale starts 7 – for a brand new car with no miles
Grade 6 – less than 1000km
Grade 5 – very good condition – like new
Grade 4.5 – good clean condition
Grade 4 – good condition may have hairline scratches
Grade 3.5 is average for Japan (still quite clean)
We don’t tend to buy cars below Grade 3.5
R or RA or 0 means the car has had an accident. Again, we don’t tend to buy those cars.
Interior Grade is A-F scale. A is very clean, C is average, F is very dirty. The lowest we would recommend buying is 3.5
Bonsaicars offers potential clients a service where we will search through the auction listings for you and will send you a daily mail with any cars we think will be of interest to you using the specifications you provide.
To take advantage of this service, we require a fully refundable deposit of £250, along with a detailed specification list to work with.
If your circumstances change and you no longer want a new car, simply confirm in writing and our accounts department will fully refund you the £250 no quibble.
Bonsaicars can ship cars anywhere within the world as long as there is an international port available.
Shipping to America is possible, but can be very tricky.* European ports are regularly used and cause no problems, however, if you decide to ship your car direct to any country outside the UK, you will need to check importation regulations and also check VAT, Import Duty within the country of shipping.
* Please see the following websites for more information about shipping to America.
Vehicle Importation Regulations: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
Registered Importer Procedures and Requirements:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/maninfo/ripkg2002.pdf
Imports of Vehicles, Engines and Equipment: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/
Bonsaicars is the UK's leading importer for individual client imports. We are one of the largest players on the Japanese import scene and as such have formed long term relationships with numerous long established companies. These include:
- Auto Terminal UK Ltd (02380 667619)
- YA Logistics (02380 339611) (the UK’s largest shipping company for Japan to UK routes)
- JC Shipping Services (02380 682016) – our customs agents in Southampton
All funds are sent to Japan by telegraphic transfer. No funds have been lost or misplaced in anyway in our many years in the business. All cars are bought from the main auction groups in Japan, thorough checks are performed in Japan and all cars are Interpol checked to assure legitimacy. Further we have an ever-growing pool of happy clients - many of whom return to buy with us again.
There is no cost to make a bid; however for purposes of verification of identity, a credit card is needed to safeguard us against bogus bidders.
No funds will be taken from card, however if after 15 days we cannot reach you, either by telephone email or mail, and we believe you have no intention of buying, we will re-auction the car and any loss or expenses will be claimed from the bidder.
We offer an honest, transparent system - backed by the Japanese Auction Houses Grading Systems and a very competitive sourcing package. Bonsaicars offer the widest choice of Japanese used cars at the best prices and clients know exactly what they are buying. Further by embracing technology and the internet, our system is available from the comfort of your own home.
Generally speaking, you should allow up to 3 months from start to finish. A typical time line is available by clicking About Bonsaicars – Importing Timeline.
Please note however, from time to time, there are circumstances beyond our control that can cause a slightly longer time for collection. Bonsai will always endeavour to complete your transaction so you can collect your car at the very earliest opportunity.
IVA is Individual Vehicle Approval Scheme set up by the UK government to ensure all vehicles imported into the UK that are newer than 10 years conform to European Safety standards.
From 29 July 2009, the current Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme will undergo some significant changes. This is as a result of the introduction of a new EC Directive. SVA will be replaced by Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA), a revised approval scheme which will be the route of choice for vehicles that are 'one-offs' or produced in very small numbers. The approval process for affected passenger cars comes into effect from 29 July 2009. Light goods vehicles (vans) will not be affected until 29 October 2011. Currently all vehicles going through SVA examinations are taken to DVA test stations and this will still be the case for IVA testing.
For some vehicle categories the SVA scheme will cease on 28 July 2009, and the IVA scheme will start the following day on 29 July 2009. SVA certificates will remain valid until 31 December 2009 for registering the vehicle with DVA Licensing.
Japanese stock is a car that Bonsaicars has purchased but chosen not to ship to the UK until a client is found. As the car has been purchased, we are able to list the car with an On The Road (OTR) price so know how much it will cost to physically have the car on the road in the UK.
UK Stock is a car that Bonsaicars have purchased, shipped to the UK and made available to clients via the Bonsaicars.com website. These cars will be IVA tested (if under 10 years old), MOT (if required) and DVLA registered in to your name.
Yes they are being added to our sight shortly.
We could only consider part exchange against a car from our UK stock. If the car you are looking for is in Japan, either Stock or Auction, we are unable to consider a part exchange.
You should have no difficulties in arranging insurance for any of the cars available through the bonsaicars.com website. In the unlikely event that you are struggling to find a competitive quote, simply send an email to info(at)bonsaicars.com or call the General Stock & Enquires line to discuss and we can supply details of companies that many of our previous clients have advised have helped them with better quotes.
As the cars are coming from a different continent, unfortunately, manufacturer’s warranties are void once transported into the UK. Bonsaicars can arrange a warranty for you for 6 months, 1, 2 or 3 years. Please contact the General Stock & Enquires line to discuss your requirements.
There is no deposit required, however we will take credit card details from you to verify your identity but no money will be taken from your card.
Bonsaicars is the UK's leading importer for individual client imports. We are one of the largest players on the Japanese import scene and as such have formed long term relationships with numerous long established companies. These include:
- Auto Terminal UK Ltd (02380 667619)
- YA Logistics (02380 339611) (the UK’s largest shipping company for Japan to UK routes)
- JC Shipping Services (02380 682016) – our customs agents in Southampton
All funds are sent to Japan by telegraphic transfer. No funds have been lost or misplaced in anyway in our many years in the business.
All cars are bought from the main auction groups in Japan, thorough checks are performed in Japan and all cars are Interpol checked to assure legitimacy. Further we have an ever-growing pool of happy clients - many of whom return to buy with us again.
All cars in our UK stock are available for viewing by appointment. This is to ensure that one of our Sales Managers is available to show you around the car, provide you with useful information about the car and of course to arrange a test drive with you if you would like one. If you like the car, then they will also be able to discuss any potential sale while you are there, speeding up the process from the beginning.