There is a lot of blogs and advice online about how and why to bring a car across from Japan rather than purchasing locally in New Zealand. But, one thing that lacks is how much can you expect to save when buying directly?

Searching the last 1 month sales (as of 7th October 2019) within the same parameters, you can see there were some great deals in Grade 4 , non accident condition. Look at the savings, look at the profit!

IMPORTANT: Not every car is going to be as cheap as you think. One thing we notice with first time buyers from New Zealand is that the expectation is that all cars will be cheaper than pricing in NZ. 

We work on a 10% success rate at auction. This means that out of 10 cars you bid on, we will win one. But we aim for the one car to be a great deal for you or your dealership.

Why the pricing is cheap in Japan compared to NZ.

1. Automobile Tax System in Japan - As vehicles get older in Japan, the tax increases. Thus, especially when a vehicle hits about 10 years old, it can sometimes make more economical sense to trade the vehicle or dispose of the vehicle and get a new vehicle.
2. Interest Rates - are extremely low in Japan so it makes sense to get a new car every few years and pay low monthly payments rather than paying for a car outright. This high turnover of vehicles means a large oversupply of used vehicles for the Japanese domestic market. Dealers will put these trade in vehicles through the auction for the world to bid on.
3. Japanese “Shaken” (Warrant of Fitness/WOF) - comes up every 2 years. It is extremely expensive in comparison to New Zealand WOF, so once the Shaken expires, most people are unlikely to spend around $2000 getting a new shaken. This does not particularly mean there is anything wrong with the car, and these “shaken-less” cars are where you can buy some great deals at auction here.
4. Auctions - this is the cheapest and most transparent way of buying a car directly from Japan. Because there are SO many cars going through auction every week there is a lot of times where the competition at auction is low and reserve prices are generally low. This is where the best deals can be found.

So, once you have access to the auctions you will be able to see up to 120,000 cars per week going through auctions in Japan. 

You will also be able to see previous sales stats on what cars sold for. 
If you want to get some great deals directly from auction, talk to Nikkyo Cars. You can see all of our costs to NZ here.

Once every six months, once a month? Every wonder how often you should wax your car? Besides giving your car that head-turning shine; waxing helps create a protective layer, shielding your car against pollution and the destructive effects of the elements. Lets look into the steps and tools needed to help protect your precious four-wheel investment.

Preparation. Before we begin waxing, the very first step is to give your car a clean rinse. Use a good clay bar to help remove any build-up of grime and other unwanted matter. Keep in mind that washing should be done at a moderate frequency. Too often and the minerals from the water can build up in areas hand-drying won't reach. Trace salts may also cause corrosion in areas you may not be aware of. Car specialists recommend washing once a week at most or when the car is in a grimy state. And for example it would be waste of time and money to wash too often during the monsoon season when you know it would be raining in the next few days. A through wiping or detailing is the way to go. Which brings up our next point; detailing.

Waxing. Once the car is dry and dust-free, we are ready for waxing. When waxing it is preferably best to wax in doors to avoid direct sunlight and dust. High temperatures accelerate drying of the wax making it harder to buff. If you don't have a garage find a spot in the shade, pick a overcast day or wax in the evening.

Depending on the types of wax applied, usually a car is recommended to be waxed four times a year or every three months to protect the vehicle's finish. Easiest way to tell if your car needs to be waxed is by splashing a bit of water on it. If the water does not bead up and drip down immediately your car is very likely in need of waxing.

Different Types of Wax. There are two main kinds of wax: natural and synthetic.

Natural car wax is made of natural ingredients mostly found in plants. The most common natural wax comes from the palm trees of Brazil known as carnauba. It is much harder than synthetic wax so it takes much longer and may need specialized tools to buff. But natural wax provides a high level of protection and a deep shine enhancing the hue of cars, particularly dark-colored cars. Because it can wear off fairly quickly so your car may need frequent applications every 4 months.

Synthetic car wax on the other hand is a combination of chemicals that can clean and bond with the paint. It gives your car shine and protection that can last up to a year. It is also less time consuming to apply and more affordable compared to natural wax, making it the preferred choice among everyday drivers.

The key to a good waxing is taking your time. It is all in the detail. When waxing, wax in a vertical or horizontal method to prevent swirls and apply evenly to all areas. Be careful of getting the wax into cracks and crevices. Afterwards buff off the wax gently with a microfiber towel. The whole process should take about an hour.

In the end, choosing the right car wax and how often to wax your car depends on how much time and money you are willing to invest. There are synthetic wax that offer affordable, longer-lasting protection but lack in shine. While there's the more expensive option of deeper shine and quality protection but more frequent re-applications. The choice is up to you!

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To wash your own car by hand, you’ll need a flat space, shady patch of concrete, and access to plenty of water and a hose like the photo as follows. You’ll need to wash your entire car in one session, which usually takes an hour or two depending on the size of your vehicle and how dirty it is.

To be Continued...

BY KRISTEN HALL-GEISLER JAN 23, 2018

Your car is a major investment and you spend a ton of money maintaining it — oil changes, tire rotations, brake pads. But have you ever considered something as simple as washing your car as an investment, too? Just how often do you need to do it and how important is it?

Sometimes it's obvious when your car needs a wash. After a long day of driving down a dusty, gravel road, for example. Or when that flock of birds takes aim at your car's hood while you're parked under what you think is an ideal shade tree.

But what about washing your car as part of its general maintenance schedule? Whether you do it to protect the paint and minimize rust so you can drive it forever, or to keep the car in pristine condition for higher resale value later, there are several reasons to wash your car regularly.

How Often Is Enough?

Most experts recommend washing your car every two weeks or so throughout the year as a general rule. If you live in an area with a lot of salt — either from a nearby ocean or from salt trucks on the winter roads — you probably should wash it more, as salt can corrode the metal and cause rust.

Those who spend a lot of time driving through the backcountry should give their car a little more TLC, as well. The aforementioned bird business is acidic enough to eat through your car's paint job if it's left too long. Same goes for dead bugs and tree sap, so they should be washed off as necessary.

Your car can go longer between washes depending if you don't drive it every day, or you keep it in a garage and out of the elements.

And while we might think of car washes as a summertime chore, you actually need to wash your car more often in the winter. Salt from the roads is one of the worst offenders, and it can cake onto the body of your car and wreak havoc. More frequent trips to the car wash, particularly those with hand-held pressure wands, will help protect your car from salt buildup.

Of course, the interior of your car is exposed to less salt and fewer dead bugs, but it still needs to be cleaned. Use a vacuum hose to get any particles (dog hair, dry cereal, bits of dried leaves) out of the seat crevices and off the floor mats. If you find any stains during the vacuuming process, you can use an upholstery spot cleaner to remove them. Dingy seats can be cleaned with a simple solution of warm water and mild detergent.

Leather seats, though, need to be cleaned and conditioned to keep the leather from cracking and aging, at least every three months or so. If you drive a lot (say for a living) or the interior of your car is exposed to the sun, condition the leather every two months.

Waxing and Detailing

Most cars need a good application of wax at least twice a year. You can test whether you need a new coat by splashing a bit of water on your car. If it beads up, you're good. If it doesn't, your car need a good waxing.

Wax does more than make your vehicle shiny and pretty. It also helps those corrosive substances we've discussed — salt, sap, bugs, bird business and more — slide right off your paint. If they don't, the wax at least provides and extra layer of protection between the offending dirt and junk and the paint job.

Finally, one of the best things you can do for yourself (and your car) is get it detailed. Think of it like a meticulous spring cleaning for your car, inside and out. Most detailing jobs cover everything from vacuuming every last inch of the interior to cleaning your car's grille with a toothbrush. Tons of businesses offer this service, and the prices vary, but can range upwards of $100 or more, though you can do much the same process yourself in an afternoon.

While your car might feel and smell clean after a good detailing, it isn't something you have to do very often. A simple wash every two weeks, a wax at least every six months and a basic interior clean-out every few months should keep your car (and investment) in top-notch shape.

NOW THAT'S CLEVERThe most eco-friendly way to wash your car is at a car wash, where the runoff will be captured and treated rather than entering storm drains and eventually nearby streams and rivers. But if you're going to wash your car at home, pull onto the lawn. As long as you're using mild, biodegradable soap — which is gentle on your car's paint anyway — you can give your grass a drink on a dry summer day.