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RV8
auction and vehicle export system in Japan
Very nearly all RV8s returning to the UK or going to Australia
are sold at auction in Japan. Here Chris Watkins of HS Imports,
the leading UK RV8 reimporter, describes the auction and export
system in Japan. Gavin Brown, who runs the MG Car Centre down in
Launceston Tasmania, adds a few comments.
The RV8s do look a little sad as they pass through the auction.
Here Woodcote Green 0644 is held for its auction slot in
Tokyo on 26th September 2002.
Auction
house report
The Japanese auction houses complete a report on each car sold.
This report is available inside each car at the auction, as are
the keys so we can start up the car and test electrics, clutch and
other functions.
Auction
condition report for Woodcote Green 0644 showing the detailed
information recorded by the auction house, including grades in the
top right-hand corner. See the note below for an explanation of
the grading by Chris Watkins of HS Imports.
For
translations of the various Japanese terms used on the auction condition
reports, see our useful RV8 auction
report translations webpage.
As Chris
Watkins of HS Imports, the leading RV8 reimporter in the UK,
mentions in a note he prepared for the V8 Register on the auction
and export system in Japan, "the report will tell us the
mileage (in Km), with a question mark boldly inserted should there
be reason to doubt the odometer. It will also tell us whether there
is a service history or not. We cannot see the books before buying
the car but at least we know they exist. HS
Imports will only buy cars with a service history and we translate
it into English for the customer. By the way we can also translate
existing members' service books if they would like us to do that
for them - but we only translate the relevant information, not the
entire book! Most importantly the auction report gives the grade
of the car".
Grading
of the cars
"So Zero, R or A will mean the car has had an
accident repair. It might still be a good car of course, and the
report shows each panel replaced and lists repairs done. Grades
1, 2 and 3 are perhaps worse than these as they will have damage
(scratches and dents) which have not been repaired. Grade 4 is a
good, clean straight used car, with Grade 5 meaning "as new".
Grade 4A or 4.5 is therefore "excellent", while 4B is
worthy of a grade 4 but does have some blemishes, usually filler".
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See
the link below to our note on "dirty seats" for an
explanation of the implications of this comment on the auction sheets.
"The difficulty for the UK buyer of a "fresh RV8 import"
is how to check the quality of the car. Checking this auction
report (if the car came from an auction) is one way but you cannot
rely on the report. It should be available if you are buying the car
from the actual importer. It is not always possible to keep track
of these bits of paper if the car passes through several hands before
it reaches a UK forecourt - if it is not available, a full vehicle
inspection is advisable". 
Woodcote Green 0644 heads for the hammer and then for export
to the UK or Australia.
Specialist RV8 reimporters
There are a number of well established RV8 reimporters in the UK and
importers in Australia who obtain RV8s from Japan and prepare and
register them in the UK or Australia so they comply with local vehicle
regulations. The specialist RV8 reimporters who have been recommended
by V8 Register members are set out in a listing called RV8 Reimporters
& Traders. Several agents in Japan offer a specialist service
of locating and buying RV8s to order in Japan and handling the export
formalities and shipping arrangements for V8 enthusiasts outside Japan.
Why
is Woodcote Green 0644 such a special RV8?
We had known for some time that VIN 0644 was the change
point for the later gearbox, the R380, generally regarded as a much
better box. Gavin Brown spotted this car in the auction particulars
he receives and emailed details to the V8 Registrar with the news.
Shortly after we received a photo of the car from our former correspondent
in Tokyo - an example of the effectiveness of the V8 Register network!
It will be interesting to see where this RV8 appears next - probably
Australia! Many
of the RV8 auction reports have the note "seats worn and dirty"
which is puzzling as many of the RV8s at auctions in Japan tend to
be low mileage vehicles.
Other
useful notes
What
to pay for an RV8
RV8
price trends
RV8
import trends
RAWS
impact on Australian RV8 imports
Reassurance
with RV8 reimports
RV8
auction system in Japan
RV8
auction news from Tokyo
"Dirty
seats" on RV8 auction reports
Understanding
RV8 auction reports
Copyright reserved
by the V8 Register of the MG Car Club, PO Box 251, Abingdon-on-Thames,
Oxfordshire OX14 1FF
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