The Toyota Estima Owners Club - Buying Tips Pt 2
is very important to the Toyota Estima Owners Club that your first buy of a Toyota Estima is successful and pleasant experience. We know from personal and independent experience that if you get it right then you should have a long and happy motoring life with these great vehicles.
Making sure the documentation is in order
Part 2 of the Toyota Estima Owners Club Guide to buying an Estima considers the need to checking documentation of a prospective MPV.Hopefully you have managed to find an Estima that you like the look of. Thanks to Bob's mechanical tips in The TEOC Buying Tips Part 1 you may feel more confident in the mechanical quality of the MPV, so now let's take a look at the important issue of documents
Forum member, TAPAJEN.MARK a.k.a. Mark Allen of Tapajencars, has kindly produced some useful advice on the subject.
Mark's Comments:
" So you have found your nicely clean, polished Estima. Do not yet be seduced, that is the easy part as many imported Japanese cars have very good bodywork because of the climate in Japan and the fact that no salt is used on the roads and 40% less in average annual mileage. Anyone can get a car to look good, but is the car what it appears to be, let's find out!!!Earlier in this buying guide, it was recommended that you check and ask for all the available documentation that is afforded to 98% of the imported vehicles from Japan. (The other 2% leave well alone, they haven't gone to the heavily regulated auction houses for a reason).
Each vehicle will have three vital pieces of documentation upon import, a further one when it is registered, and then of course culminating with the issue of the V5 logbook about 10 days after registration.
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1. The auction inspection report from Japan (the most important to confirm grade, mileage and age) In this document, all cars have their mileage verified, if the mileage can't be verified a highlighted bold question mark is put on the report next to the mileage. Each car receives a grade indicating its current condition. The grades for second hand imports are generally 3 - 4.5, 3 being average, to 4.5 being all but pristine for a second hand car. Grades O, A, R, ** or RA are all forms of accident repair, a grade one can be a car with major aftermarket modification.
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2. The Japanese deregistration document also known as the export certificate. This document stays with DVLA upon registration.
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3. The official English translation of this document is issued at the same time as the Japanese version. This stays with the importer/dealer/owner upon registration for good, to stay with the car.
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4. Upon completion of registration with DVLA a stamped certificate is issued for the registration mark in this country. (This should come with the car).
All reputable dealers using best practice will have these reports available and on display, however very very few offer them, so please do not be afraid to ask for them it's what dictates the value of the car you are considering buying.
Finally if all else fails and there is no paperwork on offer and you really like the Estima, then you can run what's known as a BIMTA check. BIMTA is the British Industry Motor Trade Association which promotes best practice for all involved in the motor trade.
In truth the very best way is with the auction report and the deregistration documents to confirm the quality and authenticity."
Other Buying Tips To Note.
" Please check the tyres, some cars have snow or non speed rated tyres left on. These tyres will pass an MOT if they have a deep enough tread but will not pass an SVA but are regularly left on the imported cars by people selling them. These tyres are not safe for normal driving conditions and should be changed. It has also been known for insurance companies not to pay out if these tyres are found on your car after an accident. "Mark Allen
The Toyota Estima Owners Club is very grateful to TAPAJEN.MARK for those helpful hints and tips.
This is essentially a précis of more detailed information available on his website, Tapajencars.
You are encouraged to visit his site to view the full text.
The Toyota Estima Owners Club is pleased to offer this information to guests and prospective owners of an Estima
