Right-hand drive cars rule the streets of Japan and its automobile market. But that’s not all – you can find left hand drive cars (LHD) in Japan too. Although RHD cars are more common, LHD cars are legal in the country too.

The quality of these cars is what makes them stand out in the Japanese car market, and many buyers bid for them at auctions. Automobile is one of Japan’s major industries which guarantees a smooth experience in buying cars from auctions – from placing the bid to the export process itself.

Why should you buy a left hand drive car from Japan?

Most famous European cars come out with the both drive option. Click for RHD and LHD Countries. It’s the big names of the above companies in the automobile industry that make them attractive to car lovers and buyers.

For most of the crowd though, the price could come in the way of purchasing the car of their dreams. But if you buy a left hand drive car from Japanese auctions, you get the following benefits:

  • Superb quality and well-maintained condition throughout.
  • A wide collection of second-hand left hand drive cars to choose from (like the models and makes mentioned above).
  • Get complete documentation with your car, so you have full knowledge of its history.
  • LHD cars with low mileage are easily available.
  • All cars are inspected and checked thoroughly by licensed professionals before being exhibited in Auction houses.
  • The automobile sector is one of Japan’s major industries, so there’s a guarantee that all exports are handled with care and process.

 

And above all, you get the car for a fair cost – no hidden or extra charges. So although most of these auction cars are second-hand, you don’t need to worry when it comes to quality.

 

So now that we’re done with the ‘why’, let’s discuss the ‘how’.

How to buy a LHD car from an auction in Japan

Some steps may vary from one auction service to another, but here is a gist of the basic car auction process.

  1. Make an account with your selected service or left hand car dealer.
  2. You’ll be asked to make a car deposit before the auction, typically 10-15%.
  3. In case your bid is unsuccessful, the deposit is returned to you usually within a week.
  4. If it’s your first time bidding or experiencing an auction, the service will teach you all you need to know. This includes information about placing bids, the types of vehicles to choose, auction sheets, consultations, and so on.
  5. In case you can’t come to see a car yourself, high-definition photos are shown so you can see the details.
  6. Double inspection is done before sending off the car to you.
  7. The car is shipped adhering to the import rules and regulations of your country.

 

And the above steps apply to whichever car you plan on buying!

Which left hand drive cars are available in Japan?

At car auctions in Japan, you can find top European companies, which include but aren’t limited to luxurious British, Italian, and German makes. In terms of LHD, Left hand drive cars, German, USA, and Italian makers are prominent and quite popular in Japan.

Here’s a list of a few used Left hand drive cars you may easily find:

  • Audi A3, A5, A6
  • LHD Porsche 911
  • Mercedez Benz (Classes A, B, C, G, M, S)
  • Alpina (B3, B5, B6, B7, B10, D3, D5)
  • Triumph Spitfires
  • Triumph TR3s
  • MGB
  • MGA
  • Alfa Romeo, Alfa Romeo 147, 156, Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
  • Sport Wagon
  • The Classic Julia

And many more for you to explore!

Conclusion: Left hand drive cars in Japan

So getting a left hand drive car in Japan is simple. All you need to do is keep an eye out for auctions. Cars available at these events would mostly include non-Japanese brands, that is, big European names in the automotive industry, such as Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, and so on.

All these left hand drive cars are exported from Japan to other countries. And although right hand drive cars are more common on the streets of Japan, you don’t need to worry about getting left hand drive ones – they are legal too. However, if you’re a buyer abroad, note that each country has its own set of import regulations.

Regardless of where you reside, we assure you a memorable experience with purchasing left hand drive cars in Japan – have a look at our collection today!

>>> HOW TO BUY