Myth: The quality of Japanese cars is inferior to those in the domestic market.
Truth: The vast majority of the cars sold on the Japanese domestic market roll off the same production lines and are produced by the same people and with the same materials as export models. The highly competitive Japanese domestic market ensures the highest quality standards are met.

Myth: The specifications of Japanese models are lower than those in the domestic market.
Truth: As such, standard specifications are far higher in Japanese vehicles. The highly competitive Japanese market forces high 'standard' specifications as companies compete on 'extras'. This misconception has been fueled by several factors. Japan is very hot and humid in the summer and therefore leather seats are uncomfortable. Hence leather seats are not standard on any cars (not even the Lexus or high spec 4x4's). Of course such requirements can be met and should you wish we can fit leather seats ourselves.

Myth: Insurance for imports is much higher than the for domestic models.
Truth: It was the case that insurance companies, seeking to profit from the booming import market, did use to charge higher premiums. However competition has made this practice rare and a vast majorit of insurance brokers and specialist companies do not discriminate in any way.

Myth: Japanese cars are not maintained very well.
Truth: Japan has the most stringent vehicle regulations and emission rules, quite possibly on the planet. Every vehicle must undergo a compulsory vehicle inspection every two years, at high cost (astronomical in fact) and must meet very high standards. Consequently people look after their vehicles very well in anticipation of this test. Avoiding a gross generalisation, the Japanese are very fond of their vehicles and invariably keep them in good condition.

Myth: The mileage on Japanese cars is so low that they must be 'clocked'.
Truth: It is mostly the case that the mileage on Japanese cars is much lower than a car of the same age would be in, for example, the UK. There are several reasons for this. The traffic in Japan can be terribly slow, there are no roundabouts and a great amount of traffic lights making driving very slow. The speed limit on normal roads is 24Mph and the tolls on motorways are phenominally expensive. It is also not a gross generalisation that many Japanese do not venture outside of their own prefecture too often. All these factors contribute to the low mileage on most import cars.

Myth: Western servicing equipment will not work on Japanese imports.
Truth: Diagnostic kits read all languages. A call to your dealer will confirm this.

Myth: You can't get parts for Japanese imports outside of Japan.
Truth: Japanese imports use the same parts as their equivalent models outside of Japan.