Japan Motoring Question

[GEO]

OK, I heard theres a law where people in japan can't drive their car more then 60,000km. After they reach the limit they have to get rid fo teh car? Is this true? Any more infomation on this?

[nismofly]

i dont think its true, you really think everyone over there with r32s and older silvias and supras and mazdas and the like have less than 60k kms on their cars?

[GEO]

New engines.

[574-240sx]

Driving a older car in japan is expensive. Inspection is japan is expensive to get through. Sometime its more than the cost of the car. If the car is in poor condition or in a minor accident it will be driven until the inspection sticker runs out then sent to the junkyard. I'm pretty sure thats how it works. Thats how my friend explained. He was there for 7 years.

[bcar240]

I was under the impression that Japan's vehicle fee system was the opposite of what they are here, i.e. as a car's mileage goes up, it costs more and more to keep it legal. It gets to a point where it is more cost effective to buy a new car rather than to pay the fees on it, even if the car is running perfect. That is what creates the surplus of used engines that Japan exports, it is like recycling old stuff for them.

[nismofly]

aahh i thought you were talking about the car in general, but just the engine?

i have heard about the cost of owning going up rather than down though as mentioned, maybe its not a law but just this?

[NSR_s30]

Yeah I do believe if they vehicle is in bad condition or the up keep is too much they send them to junk yards. Thats what I've heard like how 574-240sx explained it. I'm not sure though, if it is the case that really does suck.

[nsrZ32]

Yeah I've heard about the cost going up with age as well, hopefully c33laurelracer will get in on this as he lives over there and has a somewhat older nissan.

[Kr0n1k]

Owning and operating a car in Japan is very expensive- gasoline costs 4 times more; highway tolls, parking permits, registration, and insurance all add to severely limited mileage and/or multi-car ownership. Mileage per year is usually less than half of what we are used to. In Japan it is not uncommon to spend $150/day to use a car. The owner cannot just park a car either, a permit where to park is also required. An average parking space may cost $700/month, more in urban areas. Public parking is also very expensive. Cars are used mostly only on weekends or daily to get to a train station. Also, cars with any body damage may not be used- the authorities consider this unsafe. Labor is very expensive and so… many cars with superficial body damage and perfect low-mileage engines are also recycled.

Cars registered in Japan must meet very strict and comprehensive tests, initially after 3 years and then every 2 years. The cost of complying with these test standards can run as much as 30% of the vehicle value. There are almost no cars over 6 years old running! Cars are recycled early, over 4 years old, the owner has to pay the yard to recycle! Compound these costs with the Japanese consumers’ propensity to drive only the latest models and the result is a lot of good engines being recycled or retired prematurely.

Thats from Toysport.com... who knows how accuarte it is, but it seems about right...

[Gold Digger]

Driving a older car in japan is expensive. Inspection is japan is expensive to get through. Sometime its more than the cost of the car. If the car is in poor condition or in a minor accident it will be driven until the inspection sticker runs out then sent to the junkyard. I'm pretty sure thats how it works. Thats how my friend explained. He was there for 7 years.

Correct.

Owning and operating a car in Japan is very expensive- gasoline costs 4 times more; highway tolls, parking permits, registration, and insurance all add to severely limited mileage and/or multi-car ownership. Mileage per year is usually less than half of what we are used to. In Japan it is not uncommon to spend $150/day to use a car. The owner cannot just park a car either, a permit where to park is also required. An average parking space may cost $700/month, more in urban areas. Public parking is also very expensive. Cars are used mostly only on weekends or daily to get to a train station. Also, cars with any body damage may not be used- the authorities consider this unsafe. Labor is very expensive and so… many cars with superficial body damage and perfect low-mileage engines are also recycled.

Cars registered in Japan must meet very strict and comprehensive tests, initially after 3 years and then every 2 years. The cost of complying with these test standards can run as much as 30% of the vehicle value. There are almost no cars over 6 years old running! Cars are recycled early, over 4 years old, the owner has to pay the yard to recycle! Compound these costs with the Japanese consumers’ propensity to drive only the latest models and the result is a lot of good engines being recycled or retired prematurely.

Thats from Toysport.com... who knows how accuarte it is, but it seems about right...

Yes and No.Cars are expensive in a lot of ways, yes gas is high...125 yen, or $1.20 US, for one liter of high octane gas, but the quality is far better than the states.Parking is no where near $700 per month. I live in an apartmen, and pay $50 a month for my space. And my car is 15 years old, and still running. How do you explain all the S13, R32's, old Fairladys, Supras, and others that fall into that category. I use my car every day. It has passed the Shaken inspection every time, through three different owner, with never any problems. But you are correct on the fact that if it is in poor condition or would cost more than the car is worth to keep it registered, it goes bye-bye.

OK, I heard theres a law where people in japan can't drive their car more then 60,000km. After they reach the limit they have to get rid fo teh car? Is this true? Any more infomation on this?

I have 103,000Km on my car, and it is the original engine. When ever you do an engine swap, or in my case, auto to manual swap, you have to change the title. to reflect the change on the car.

All in all, if you have an old car, keep it in good condition. When your Shaken come due, you can pass through it with flying colors. It will still cost a little bit of money, but hell, why get rid of a car that you have done a lot to even if it costs some change from your wallet.

[RBpoweredSileighty]

Driving a older car in japan is expensive. Inspection is japan is expensive to get through. Sometime its more than the cost of the car. If the car is in poor condition or in a minor accident it will be driven until the inspection sticker runs out then sent to the junkyard. I'm pretty sure thats how it works. Thats how my friend explained. He was there for 7 years.

you are exactly right.

[Rex]

Here's an interesting article about registering a vehicle in Japan.

[nismofly]

yes gas is high...125 yen, or $1.20 US, for one liter of high octane gas, but the quality is far better than the states

well that would be about $4.55 for a gallon, yes expensive, but at the same time as you mentioned its much better gas.

[Gold Digger]

good article...where did you find that. I can use that information myself...ha ha

[Rex]

good article...where did you find that. I can use that information myself...ha ha

Googled "japanese auto registration laws", one of the first articles/links.

I have a knack for finding things. Let me know if you need something found .

[D1SR240]

isn't this whole vechicle inspection thing really good for Japan's economy, i mean with all the taxes, and people buying new cars?