They can, however, fall between the cracks of things like emissions zones because they’re not on the databases, so what you save on one hand you may end up paying for with the other. Strangely, this can mean cheaper VED than near-identical UK market models. If you’re importing a car yourself, or through a specialist, and it’s over 10 years old it only has to pass a British MoT and emissions test to drive on UK roads. In the face of customer demand some of these – like the Nissan and Suzuki – were subsequently officially imported by their manufacturers into the UK.ĭepending on the age of the car there are certain rules and regulations to consider before buying a freshly imported JDM car and having it registered. Meanwhile others still are cars never originally seen in UK showrooms, ranging from icons like the Nissan Skyline to quirkier models like the Suzuki Cappuccino or Mazda Bongo Friendee camper. The classic Subaru Impreza is a good example of this, with high-performance WRX and STI models highly sought after by enthusiasts for their extra performance over the Turbo versions sold here. Other JDM cars may be variants of cars we knew here that simply weren’t available on the UK market. The first-generation Mazda MX-5 was known as the Eunos Roadster in Japan, for instance, but they were pretty much identical, and many on British roads were imported as used cars at some point in their lives. A JDM car can be more-or-less identical to versions sold here, even if it was sold under a different name. Here are some of our favourites.Ī Japanese Domestic Market car is one built for and originally delivered new in Japan, and then subsequently exported as a used vehicle to another country. While performance models dominate some of the quirkier and less conventional JDM cars built for Japanese tastes have also found homes and an enthusiastic fanbase here in the UK. Through the late 90s and into the early 2000s this went hand in hand with modding culture but, as owners have matured, collectors are increasingly chasing the few remaining cars that survive in original condition. Fuelled by games like the original Gran Turismo (first launched in 1997) and movies like Fast and Furious, awareness of high-performance models from Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Honda and Mitsubishi grew to cult status, and drove what were known as ‘grey imports’ of desirable cars enthusiasts craved from Japan. Traditionally, though, the JDM scene tends to focus on specialist cars that weren’t originally sold here. For collectors chasing dwindling supplies of classic Porsches, Ferraris and other European exotica this is obviously attractive, along with the fact cars from Japan tend to be well maintained and less rusty than ones that have lived on our salty roads. But why go to the bother?įirstly, there’s the convenience of Japanese cars also being right-hand drive vehicles, so unlike importing from Europe or America the car is geared up for driving on UK roads. Searches for JDM cars are up on Auto Trader but what exactly are they and why is there such a fanbase? In simple terms ‘JDM’ stands for Japanese Domestic Market, and refers to cars originally sold in Japan but since imported to the UK for a second life on the other side of the world.
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