Owning a Japanese import in the UK: servicing, parts and oil specs.

Japanese imports, often called JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, are popular for good reasons: engines and models that were never sold in the UK, interesting specifications, and often well-equipped cars for the money. They are also a little different to own. This guide covers the practical side, and it is deliberately general, because each model has its own quirks.

What is different about an import

A car built for Japan was designed for Japanese conditions and rules. In practice that can mean:

• Right-hand drive (Japan drives on the left, as we do), which is a plus for UK owners.
• Different engine and gearbox options from UK-market versions of the same model, often with more power or specifications we never received.
• Metric and market-specific details, such as a speedometer in km/h on some cars, which may have been converted or have a mph overlay.
• Equipment designed for Japan, such as satellite navigation maps, TV tuners and radios, that may not work as intended in the UK.
• Different part numbers and chassis codes. A model with the same name as a UK car may have different parts underneath.

None of this is a problem in itself, but it affects how you buy parts and what you ask a garage.

Servicing: the basics still apply

Most imports are mechanically conventional, and sensible maintenance is much like any other car: regular oil and filter changes, brake fluid, coolant, gearbox and differential oil, and attention to belts, hoses and rust.

A few points are worth knowing:

• Service history. Imports often come with an auction sheet and Japanese service records. Ask for them, and if possible get them translated. A fresh baseline service after purchase is sensible, since you rarely know exactly what was done and when.
• Timing belt or chain. Know which your engine has and when it was last done. If there is no proof, many owners treat it as due.
• Cooling system and ancillaries. Imports can be older than they look, so check hoses, water pump and rubber components.
• Rust. Underbody and sill rust are worth checking, particularly on cars that spent time in snowy areas of Japan where roads are salted.
• Gearbox and differential oil. Often neglected and often worth attention, especially on performance models, automatics and CVTs. See our guide to CVT fluid and our article on Honda Type R servicing for examples.

Oil: use the right specification

Engine oil is where imports are most often mishandled. A few principles:

• Follow the manufacturer's specification for your engine, not just the viscosity. Your handbook, if you have it, is the best guide. Japanese-market manuals use different formats, so confirm the grade for your engine.
• Low-viscosity oils such as 0W-20 or 5W-30 are common on many Japanese engines, but some performance and older engines call for something different. Do not assume.
• Turbocharged and high-performance engines are usually less forgiving of the wrong oil or a missed change.
• Do not swap grades on a whim. If the car has been run on a particular oil for years, changing the specification without a reason is not a good idea.
• Fuel: some high-compression imports expect premium unleaded. Check what your engine was designed for.

If you are not sure, ask. A quick conversation before the service is better than finding out later.

Parts: what to expect

Parts availability varies a lot by model:

• Common models (those sold widely in Japan and also in the UK or Europe) often have good aftermarket support.
• Rarer models may need parts ordered from Japan, which takes time. Lead times vary, so plan for a car being off the road for longer than a UK-market equivalent.
• Some parts are shared with UK-market cars, and some are not. The correct part depends on the chassis code and VIN.
• Quality varies. Cheap parts are not always a saving, particularly on engine, brake and suspension components.

A good habit is to discuss parts before a job starts, so you know what is being fitted and how long it will take.

Warning lights and diagnostics

Some imports have different engine management and diagnostic systems, and a generic code reader may not read every module. Cars with Japanese-only features can show messages or lights that do not match UK expectations. If a light comes on, our guide to dashboard warning lights is a useful starting point.

Before you buy

If you are thinking of buying an import, a pre-purchase inspection is worth considering. Ask about:

• Auction grade and mileage evidence
• Import documentation and UK registration status
• Signs of rust, accident repair and previous modifications
• Whether the car has had a recent service
• Insurance: some imports are in unusual groups, so get a quote before you commit

Motorcycles too

Japanese bikes are an obvious fit for the same approach: correct oil for the engine and clutch, attention to chain and brake fluid, and knowing which parts are shared and which are not. Motorcycles are welcome at the workshop.

The short version

A Japanese import is usually straightforward to look after when you know what it has and what it needs. The things to get right are the oil specification, the service basics, the timing drive and rust. If you would like a second pair of eyes on a car you own or are thinking of buying, talk to us.

Talk to us

For servicing and repairs on Japanese imports, see our import specialist page or call us on 07746 922 273.