Why Choose a Re-Import?
What is a Re-Import?
A re-import is a Jaguar RHD (Right-Hand Drive) vehicle, manufactured on the same production line as those supplied to the UK market. These cars are built to the same high standards, with identical specifications and engineering, but are adapted for overseas markets with minor adjustments. Importantly, they are UK-built vehicles that have enjoyed a significantly easier life overseas. This means they often come with much lower mileage and, critically, no rust—a rarity for classic cars of similar age.
Why Japanese Imports Are Superior
Unlike Jaguars that have spent their lives in the UK, these re-imported vehicles come from Japan, where the climate and road conditions are far more forgiving. Japan’s warm, dry weather, combined with the absence of road salt, creates the ideal environment for cars. As a result:
- These vehicles remain rust-free, with pristine undercarriages and components.
- The coachwork retains its original factory sheen thanks to being mostly garage-kept, protecting it from prolonged exposure to rain, sun, or harsh elements.
- Interiors are preserved to an exceptional standard, with no fading to the leather seats, carpets, or trim.
Exceptional Features and Maintenance
- Low Mileage: These cars have often been driven far less than their UK counterparts due to Japan’s reliance on advanced public transport systems and high road tolls. Many vehicles are garage-kept and only used occasionally, resulting in significantly lower wear and tear.
- Highly Optioned: Japanese-import Jaguars are often equipped with almost every available factory option, offering features not commonly found on UK examples.
- Rigorous Maintenance Standards: Cars in Japan are subject to the Japanese Shaken, a strict government-mandated inspection that ensures vehicles are maintained to an exceptionally high standard. Older cars face increasingly rigorous tests, making those that remain on the road rare and in outstanding condition.
Additional Benefits of a Re-Import
- Rust-Free Guarantee: These cars benefit from Japan’s road conditions and climate, ensuring no rust on the body or undercarriage—a major advantage over UK-based classics.
- Underbody Wax Oil Treatment: For added longevity and protection, we offer an optional underbody wax oil treatment, a service Jaguar did not provide when these vehicles were new. This additional protection ensures that the rust-free condition you have today will last for years to come.
- Lower Road Tax: Many re-imported cars qualify for lower road tax rates compared to UK-supplied equivalents, adding further cost savings over time.
- Road Tax and Insurance: Treated like UK vehicles, with no additional fees or special conditions, making ownership seamless.
- Enthusiast Ownership: Jaguars in Japan were premium vehicles when new, often owned by enthusiasts who treated them with exceptional care. Many of these cars have been in long-term ownership and show the results of meticulous maintenance and preservation.
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