In the last decade the marketplace for imported cars has grown extensively and Japanese grey imports have been at the forefront of this growth.
It is now possible to buy Japanese grey imports from dedicated centres with expert sales teams who do all the hard work for you. However, if you are interested in purchasing a grey import, it is worth familiarising yourself with as much specification and import information as possible. This guide will help explain grey imports and the SVA test in relation to grey import insurance.
The SVA test
All grey imports that are driven on UK roads need to pass an SVA test. The SVA test stands for the Single Vehicle Approval scheme and tests if a Japanese car is constructed to the modern safety and environmental standards that are necessary for use on British public roads.
The SVA test has a huge impact on grey import insurance costs as, if the car has passed the test, the insurance company will have a better idea and understanding of the vehicle in question, allowing for cheaper grey import insurance. These days, cars which do not pass an SVA test will no longer be imported.
However, there are plenty of grey imports in the UK that were imported before the SVA test came into force (2001) and so are most likely unfit for use on UK roads. If you are unsure about whether your car has passed the SVA test, here are some pointers that may help you decide:
Window thickness
Windscreen and window glass is typically thinner on Japanese produced cars. They must be replaced with UK regulation window glass to pass the SVA test.
Tyre compound
Tyres used on Japanese imports may be made of harder rubber than UK tyres. Tyres must fulfil UK specification to pass the SVA test.
Speedometers
Speedometers in grey import cars display speed in km/h rather than mp/h. This is illegal in the UK, meaning the speedometer must be replaced in order to pass the SVA test.
Other factors
There are of course other factors that may not prevent your grey import passing the SVA test that you might want to address. The radios fitted in grey imports are usually unable to pick up British stations. Whilst this is not a problem of importance, it will mean you will have to replace the radio if you would like to listen to UK stations.
Another issue that grey imports are notorious for is rusting. Japanese imports are often lacking in underseal which can lead to rusting in the UK climate. This can be remedied by applying underseal annually and regularly waxing your car.
Conclusion
If your Japanese car fits within the SVA standards your grey import insurance should be considerably lower than if it did not. However, it is worth noting that modified grey imports are considerably more costly to insure.
Grey import insurance is often more costly than insuring a UK specification car as they are usually more powerful (increasing risk of theft and accident), not to mention the fact that replacement parts are often harder to get hold off and hence more costly. However, being Japanese-built, it is rare for a grey import to experience mechanical failure.
