Japan Service
At Jitsu Motors, our goal is to help customers located in Japan find the perfect vehicle. Whether that’s an enthusiast sports car or a family van. We offer an all-inclusive service that covers vehicle sourcing, inspection, purchasing, and shipping nationwide.
Our Process
We offer a high-touch service, which includes our in-person inspection at the industry-only Japanese car auctions. In many cases, the service pays for itself, as we are able to help many of our customers avoid cars with obvious flaws, which can be expensive to repair.
Our process can be broken down into 4 steps:
1. Fill Out the Form
The first step is to fill out our form! You can include as much or as little info as you'd like. Once you fill it out, someone from our team will reach out to you with more information.
If scheduling allows, we are happy to arrange a time for a phone call or video chat to discuss details as well.
2. Place a Deposit to Begin the Search
We require a deposit of 50% of projected budget (¥200,000 of which is non-refundable) via wire transfer to begin a search. This deposit will enable us to bid for and purchase a car on your behalf.
Once a car is purchased, your deposit will be subtracted from the eventual total.
3. The Search
We will correspond via email, sending you photos and information of specific cars that will be available at the Auctions each week. We will work together with you to narrow down specific targets for inspection.
On Auction Day we will inspect the target car in person, taking detailed photos and videos for your consideration. If you would like to bid on a specific car, we only need your confirmation of a maximum bid.
*Note: the time from inspection to bidding can be very limited, so your prompt approval will be necessary.
If we are successful in winning the car at auction, the final all-inclusive price will be calculated, and an invoice will be emailed to you. Full payment is expected within one week of receipt of the invoice.
If we are unsuccessful in winning a car at Auction on a given week, the search process simply repeats until we are successful.
4. Shipment / Storage
Once your vehicle has been purchased, we will begin arranging shipment immediately. Delivery times vary depending on the customer’s location, but most vehicles arrive within 1–2 weeks after payment has been completed.
We also offer secure indoor and outdoor storage options if needed.
Our Pricing
Your total cost is comprised of three main components
Cost of Vehicle
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Amount equal to total auction house invoice
Our Fee
¥150,000
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Additional 5% charged for vehicles with a hammer price over ¥1 million (on just the amount above ¥1 million)
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Includes five in-person inspections
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¥10,000 for each additional inspection
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Shipping
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Flat rate quoted based on size, weight, and type of vehicle as well as destination
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I buy a car through Jitsu Motors instead of a traditional used car dealership?
Used car dealerships source their cars the same way we do, through the Japanese used car auctions. However, once they have the cars on their lot, they do not disclose what the auction inspectors found could be problem areas with the cars. Our in-person inspections check all the potential problem areas with the car so you have a clear picture of the target vehicle.
Used car dealerships charge a 25% - 30% markup on their vehicles. We simply charge our service fee as detailed above. This typically saves our customers thousands of dollars.
Am I allowed to come with you to the auction?
The auction houses are dealer-only, and credentials are required for entry. If we try to sneak you in, we risk losing our membership. Because of this, we are, unfortunately, not able to allow you to accompany us to the auction.
Could I pick up my car instead of having it shipped
Commercial shipping lead times are not entirely predictable and can vary by a number of factors including but not limited to destination, season, weather, etc. That said, in most cases it's reasonable to expect your car to arrive within 2-3 months after purchase.
Can you find me this rare and specific car?
Yes! However, the more uncommon the car and the more stringent your requirements, the longer it will likely take to source.
I know you said the Market Value is $10,000 for this car, but I’ve seen one for less.
We admit it’s entirely likely you will find cars for sale somewhere for a price below Market Value. However, we cannot vouch for the quality (or lack of quality) of such cars, and we would assert, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Can I buy a car through you guys and store it until it is available for import to my country?
Yes, we offer secure indoor storage for our customers. Please inquire about rates.
I live in Japan. Can you help me buy a car without exporting?
Absolutely. And, if/when the time comes to export it, we are happy to assist.
Do you participate in any kind of tax refund scheme?
Taxes are not applied to international sales. Any taxes incurred by our company during the procurement process are not eligible for refunds to overseas customers.
By what method will my car be shipped?
In most cases, roll-on-roll-off (RORO) shipping will be the best and most cost-effective method. However, in a minority of cases container shipping could be the better option. We are happy to discuss options with you and recommend the best plan of action for your specific case.
It seems you only deal in Japanese sports cars. Can you help me with a different type of vehicle?
Our passion is for Japanese sports cars of the 90's, but the vast majority of our customers are not buying these types of vehicles. In recent years, we are exporting everything from European luxury cars to Mini Trucks to Japanese SUV's as well as nearly-new vehicles of every imaginable make and model.