Many people assume importing a car from Japan is always the cheaper option, but I'm curious whether that's still true once every expense is added up. Exchange rates, shipping charges, taxes, and registration fees all seem to have changed over the last few years, so I wonder if the savings are as significant as they used to be.
From what I've seen, the answer really depends on the vehicle you're buying and how carefully you calculate the total cost. Looking at Japanese car exports to UK can be worthwhile, but only if you compare the complete landed price with similar cars already available in the local market.
A few things that seem worth considering are:

• Purchase price at auction or through a dealer.
• Shipping and insurance costs.
• Import duty, VAT, and other customs charges.
• Registration, MOT, and any compliance work.
• Currency exchange rates, which can change the final cost.
• The vehicle's condition, mileage, and service history.

In some cases, importing still appears to offer better value, especially for well-maintained, low-mileage models that are difficult to find locally. On the other hand, if shipping costs or taxes are high, the price difference may become much smaller than expected.
I also think buyers should factor in long-term ownership costs rather than focusing only on the purchase price. A reliable car with a solid maintenance record could save money over time, even if the upfront import costs are slightly higher.
Has anyone here imported a car recently? Did the final cost end up lower than buying the same model in the UK, or were the extra fees enough to cancel out the savings? I'd be interested to hear some real-world experiences.