Used Car Reimports: Why Japan is the Ideal Market

As a car importer based in Japan and Germany, we at Beyond Cars know from experience that reimporting used cars from Japan is the best option for many customers in Germany. These are vehicles that originally came from Germany and were later resold in Japan.

This article answers the following questions:

• Why are used cars from Japan so popular?
• What condition are used cars in Japan?
• What are the differences between Japanese and German used cars?
• Which used cars should you import from Japan?
• Which used cars from Japan should you avoid?

Low mileage but high potential

A huge advantage of importing used cars from Japan is the vehicle's mileage.

While in Germany, vehicles with 150,000 kilometers or more are considered "high-mileage," such mileage is the exception rather than the rule in Japan. One reason for the low mileage is that public transportation, such as the Shinkansen (Japan's equivalent of the ICE), is faster over long distances.

Japanese car owners treat their vehicles with great care to keep them in top condition for as long as possible. Heavy loads and extreme driving maneuvers are uncommon. Instead, the cars are driven gently, quietly, and evenly – this protects the components considerably and extends their service life.

Ironically, the Japanese are wary of buying used cars with high mileage. Their confident, cautious personality also means they don't want to take risks with used cars. As a result, 50,000 kilometers are just as popular in Japan as 150,000 kilometers in Germany. For us, that means a great price!

Age: Japanese used cars are usually much younger

Here, too, Japanese reimported vehicles have the edge, because in Japan it is common practice to resell cars after a relatively short period of time, usually after 3-5 years.

The reasons for this are varied: Firstly, many Japanese people always want to stay up to date with the latest technology and regularly invest in a newer vehicle model. Secondly, left-hand drive vehicles are also a status symbol in Japan, meaning a five-year-old car no longer serves its purpose.

For re-importers, this means that even "used" vehicles from Japan are usually significantly younger than comparable models on the German market. This not only reduces the depreciation for us Germans, but also significantly increases the expected remaining lifespan.

Well-maintained condition: Japanese used items are temples

Another key advantage of Japanese reimports is their excellent condition. Unlike some used cars from the US or Dubai, which often show heavy signs of wear and tear, cars from Japan are generally in very good condition.

In addition to regular maintenance, the driving style of the Japanese also plays a major role. Heavy loads and extreme driving maneuvers are rather uncommon there. Instead, the vehicles are driven carefully, quietly, and smoothly – this leaves significantly fewer marks on the car.

Accident damage is also significantly less common in Japanese used cars. This is partly due to the Japanese's high level of discipline and proactive driving. Second, Japanese roads are comparatively accident-free, as traffic volumes are significantly lower than in densely populated regions of Europe or the USA.

All of this combined ensures that reimported vehicles from Japan are generally in excellent condition. Scratches, dents, or other cosmetic defects are rare. The technology and equipment are also generally impeccable, as the previous owners invested heavily in their maintenance.

Conclusion & which used cars from Japan are worth it?

In summary, reimporting used cars from Japan represents a true win-win situation for customers in Germany. Thanks to the careful driving style, intensive maintenance, and short holding periods typical in Japan, reimported vehicles generally have significantly higher mileage, are younger, and are in excellent condition—especially compared to used cars from other markets.

Here are 3 examples of used cars we have already delivered to happy customers:

car	Mileage	Year of construction	Price including import
Porsche 911 (997.1)	80,000km	2007	25,499€
Mercedes CLS 500	78,000km	2012	16,299€
Audi RS4 B7	120,000km	2007	16,799€

Contact us without obligation so we can offer you suitable re-imported vehicles from Japan. We will be happy to advise you in detail on all the advantages and disadvantages and work together to find your dream car at the best possible conditions.