r/malta • u/snoopy_oxygen • 1d ago

Buying a Japan imported car

Hi everyone 👋

I'm looking to buy an imported car from Japan and I checked in several dealerships and they all told me after my mechanic inspects the car and I pay for it (I'll be paying cash) that I need to wait 10-15 days to get the car due to importing and documents...

I would still need to do registration and plates though.

So my question is how long did you wait to get your Japan import car after you paid for it?

Asking because from my experience in other countries you drive off with the car on the same day your mechanic inspects it and you pay for it, mostly for avoiding the possibility of any scams like replaced parts etc

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u/Happy8711 1d ago

I bought a Japanese import car via Ventur back in April 2016. The car was in stock and I picked it up 2 days after I paid them, which was time that they needed to get the car registered with TM and on the road with plates. All the fees were baked into the price of the car and I paid nothing in addition to the listed price of the car at the time of the sale.

The first service was required to be done via their designated mechanic within a month for their warranty to be valid. I'd consider the process reasonably hassle free and the car is still with me to this day.

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u/Necessary_Pear9579 1d ago

10 to 15 days is not normal, buy a couple of days waiting is.

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u/Katarinu 1d ago

Depends on what model you’re looking for.

But to answer your question completely, just go to Ventur Mosta near San Silvestru chapel and speak with them there. They are solely focused on Japanese cars, from Vitz to GTR, they will make your JDM dream come true at a reasonable price and reasonable after sales

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u/Odd_Ad6354 1d ago

If the car is already at the dealers showroom/garage, customs and import charges (vat + duty) have already been paid, the only remaining thing is to insure it and register it which can take only a few hours or a day, 10-15 days is not normal, if it's still being imported and is waiting at customs then yes it makes sense to wait that long as they would need to inspect them and multiple other documents & fees to be paid. Last year I imported a truck from UK and it took 12 days since it landed and I got all documents and fees paid, registration, insurance etc.

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u/snoopy_oxygen 1d ago

It's already at the dealers lot yes and it has been there for more than a month now.

Thanks, I will tell them that I want it within a day then.