Are you considering investing in a Japanese used car? Great choice! These beauties are the gems of the pre-loved vehicle market, offering reliable performance and a wide range of affordable models. However, you need to know what you’re looking for to fetch a truly great second-hand Japanese vehicle.
As Auckland’s primary dealership for high-quality pre-loved cars, we at MotorCo have put together this guide to help you pick the right car for your needs. Discover how Japanese imports are vetted for their quality, what you should be looking for, and why MotorCo is the place to go for a Japanese model!
How Japanese Used Cars are Inspected and Chosen
The primary concern for most buyers is the quality of the car they’re purchasing, so it pays to know how that quality is assessed.
New Zealand addressed those concerns by inspecting all Japanese used cars coming into the country. Any cars that needed repairs are thoroughly documented and the repairs must be resolved before the cars can be sold. This policy differs from Australia, where you still cannot import Japanese used cars, thus leading to elevated prices in the Japanese import market. Luckily, MotorCo customers can take advantage of this opportunity to purchase excellent Japanese import cars in Auckland at significant savings.
Here at MotorCo, cars are purchased from Japan and inspected using something called a “Japanese auction sheet”. In short, these sheets break down any issues the cars have and grade them for their quality. This gives the importers (us) and the buyers (you) a clear understanding of the car’s potential value. So, it pays to know what that auction sheet looks like, and how your car made it onto the lot.
What to Look for In a Japanese Import Vehicle
You may not always have access to the auction sheet with which the car was sold, so it pays to know what to look for when shopping around.
Japanese vehicles are typically manufactured using a “lean manufacturing method”, meaning large parts of the car are stamped as one piece. This reduces the likelihood of a mechanical or structural malfunction, thus increasing the car’s reliability. So, your primary concern when shopping in this arena is any existing faults with the car, not faults that may come to pass.
Keep an eye out for moulding, water damage, rusting, or structural damage. These are difficult and expensive to resolve and may end up costing you more than the initial purchase to repair. Luckily, New Zealand law protects people buying from dealerships. MotorCo and other dealers must repair any significant damage before selling a car onward, as we are liable for the vehicle. Thus, you can be sure you’re purchasing a quality car when you buy from us.
Choosing the Right Japanese Car Brand
Choosing the right brand is all about knowing what you want. Are you searching for style over reliability, or is fuel efficiency more important to you? If you’re not sure, feel free to reach out to us and we’ll help you make your decision.
We import the largest number of Japanese and European vehicles to our Auckland yards, with over 500 cars in stock. Our fleet of Japanese import cars for sale includes popular brands such as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Honda used cars. We also offer Mazda, Lexus, Subaru, and Isuzu used cars, so we know Japanese cars like the backs of our hands!
Whether you’re looking for sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, sports wagons, station wagons, or other body styles, we have what you’re seeking. You’ll enjoy a huge selection to choose from at competitive prices and our own pre-approved car finance.
Browse our huge selection of Japanese imports for sale in a wide range of makes, models, and colours, and you can speak to our knowledgeable and friendly staff, who take a no-pressure sales approach.
Why Buy Japanese Used Cars from MotorCo?
There are hundreds of Auckland car dealers, so why should you choose us for your vehicle purchase?
First, we have full-service programs that make your buying experience easy. People all over New Zealand love shopping with us because we are your complete car sales, finance, and car care provider. At MotorCo, we offer trade-ins of your existing Japanese import cars, pre-approved financing, appraisals, insurance, warranties, and full vehicle servicing.
Second, we can make the car of your dreams a reality with instant pre-approval for qualified buyers. We also offer special programs such as no deposit and easy qualifications for your car loan approval.
Third, we welcome out-of-town buyers who know they can buy confidently with us. We don’t believe that you should be restricted in your choice of vehicle by where you live, so we make it easy for Kiwis all over the country to buy from us.
Finally, we offer care beyond the moment you sign on the dotted line. If there are ever any issues with your vehicle, we have mechanics on staff at our service and vehicle care centre, ready to serve.
Talk to MotorCo about purchasing the perfect Japanese used car today.
At MOTOR CO, we work together with you to select from our range of imported Japanese cars for sale that fit your budget and that suit your lifestyle. We don’t just care about the sale, but about your ongoing experience with the car of your choice. We service every car we sell and offer paint protection, gap insurance, PPI, and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Reach out to us today or visit us at either one of our Auckland car dealerships. We’ll see you there!