Radio, tyres and what to fix when a Japanese import arrives

A car built for the Japanese home market arrives set up for Japan. Some of that needs changing before the car suits Irish roads. None of it is unusual, but it all costs money, so it belongs in the landed cost from the start.

The radio

Japanese radios work on a different FM band from the one used here. A radio conversion is commonly needed.

There are two ways to do it:

• A band expander, which is added to the existing radio.
• A replacement unit, which takes the place of the original.

Which suits your car depends on the car. Ask the fitter what each option involves for your model and get the price in writing before work starts. If the original screen also runs other functions in the car, ask what happens to those if the unit is replaced.

Sat-nav and menus

Sat-nav and infotainment menus are often in Japanese. Do not assume the language can be changed. Ask the exporter before you buy, or ask a fitter who knows the model.

If you are replacing the radio anyway, ask whether the replacement deals with the menus as well. It may be one job and not two.

Tyres

EU-marked tyres cost about €300 to €600 a set. The price depends on the size, so get a quote for the exact size on your car.

Check what the car is wearing when it arrives. Ask NCTS what it expects of the tyres before your appointment, so that you are not sent away to fit a set and come back.

Immobiliser and underbody protection

These are the other two items that commonly come up.

Camber does not publish prices for either, because it does not have figures it can stand over. Get quotes. For the immobiliser, ask your insurer whether it requires one and whether it needs to be a particular type. See insurance for Japanese imports.

What to budget

Camber's worked examples allow €700 for tyres and a radio conversion together. That is a planning assumption. Your car may cost less or more, and an immobiliser or underbody protection would be on top.

To see what that does to the total, take the 2019 Toyota Aqua in Camber's worked example. Its landed cost is €11,136, of which €700 is preparation. That is €3,864 below an Irish asking price of €15,000, so there is room if the preparation runs over.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf is a different story. Its landed cost of €18,353.50 is only €646.50 below an Irish asking price of €19,000. If preparation costs €1,300 and not €700, the saving is down to €46.50.

Before you bid

Preparation costs are easiest to control before you own the car.

• Ask the exporter what language the menus are in.
• Ask what tyres are fitted and what condition they are in.
• Get a rough price for a radio conversion for that model.
• Ask your insurer what it requires.

Then use your own preparation figure when you work out the landed cost. Camber's calculator shows preparation as a separate line, so you can see its effect on the total.

After the work is done

Keep the receipts with the car's paperwork. Camber's import file has a document checklist where they can be recorded. Tell your insurer about the work if it asked to be told.

A note on partners

Camber is independent and is not affiliated with Revenue, NCTS or any government body. Where a fitter or supplier appears on this site, using it is your choice. None is required for an import and none is endorsed by Revenue. See the partners page.