Everything you
want to know.

Japanese buyers care for their vehicles exceptionally well — and that is especially true of imported premium and luxury marques such as Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Lamborghini. The result: low mileage, well-kept service histories and a vehicle condition rarely found in Germany at this price. There is also a structural price argument: Japanese vehicles are subject to a high rate of depreciation once they leave the dealer network. What counts as inexpensive in Japan corresponds, in Germany, to a vehicle in outstanding condition — at a fair entry price.

The deposit (typically €500–1,500, depending on vehicle value) is paid into a German escrow account — legally separate from our operating assets. The money stays there until the vehicle arrives and is handed over to you. The deposit protects both sides: it ensures we have a serious mandate as a bidder at the Japanese auction, and protects you from your money disappearing into the business. If no bid is won at the auction, the deposit is refunded in full. On placing an order, it is credited against the total amount.

The total cost is made up of several items: auction price, Japanese auction fees (approx. 3–5%), inland transport within Japan (approx. €150–250), Ro/Ro shipping (approx. €900) or container (approx. €1,600), import duty (10%), import VAT (19%), handling, customs declaration and local agent (€650), TÜV individual approval (approx. €600–1,200) and FIRSTCARMOTORS service commission (8% with prepayment, 12% with split payment). Not included in the cost calculator are the TÜV individual approval, registration costs, delivery to your location and any repairs — these items depend on the individual vehicle and are calculated case by case. You receive a complete cost breakdown before placing your order.

The sea route from Japan (Yokohama) to Germany (Hamburg) takes approx. 5–6 weeks. Including the auction, Japanese export processing, customs, TÜV individual approval and registration, you should reckon with a total period of around 12 weeks from placing the order.

We offer two payment models. With prepayment you pay the full amount before the purchase; our service commission is then 8%. With split payment you pay 50% when you place the order and the remainder when the vehicle arrives; because we pre-finance the second half, the service commission is 12%. Separate from this is the deposit for auction participation: it is held in a German escrow account and offset against the purchase price on a winning bid. We discuss which model suits you best during the initial consultation.

Vehicles under €80,000 auction price are usually shipped via Ro/Ro (approx. €900), from €80,000 onwards via container (approx. €1,600). For rare configurations, a container can also make sense below that threshold. The sea route runs from Yokohama to Hamburg and takes approx. 5–6 weeks. You receive tracking information from the time of departure.

Should the vehicle not be awarded to you, you receive your deposit in full — no additional costs are incurred. You can immediately start a new auction for another vehicle on the same terms.

We source premium and luxury marques: Porsche (911, Cayenne, 718, Panamera, Taycan), Mercedes-AMG (GT, C 63, G 63, E 63, S 63), Rolls-Royce (Ghost, Phantom, Cullinan), Ferrari (Roma, SF90, F8), Lamborghini (Urus, Huracán), Bentley (Continental GT, Flying Spur), BMW M (M3, M4, M5, M8), Audi RS (RS 6, RS 7, R8).

Japan is regarded worldwide as one of the countries with the best-preserved used cars: the strict Shaken vehicle inspection, high road quality, a culturally ingrained attention to care, and low average annual mileage (often under 8,000 km/year). We generally recommend vehicles from Grade 4 upwards.

S: as new; 5: very good; 4.5: good; 4: normal good; 3.5: light repainting; 3: noticeable defects; 2/R: more substantial defects. We generally recommend vehicles graded 4 or better.

To qualify for the customs relief to 0% (classic-car import), the vehicle must be at least 30 years old. Younger vehicles are subject to the standard import duty rate of 10%. There is no minimum age for the TÜV individual approval.

Japanese owners document maintenance and repairs better than average. Regular servicing is a social norm — especially for premium vehicles. You receive the records in Japanese and we arrange their classification. However, we cannot guarantee completeness; the quality of documentation depends on the vehicle's age and history.

Yes. For vehicles with auction grade 4 or better you receive photographic documentation and, on request, a report from our local partner inspector in Japan. We obtain the auction sheet with the condition grades for every candidate. You decide before we bid.

No problem — we search specifically for your desired vehicle in Japanese auctions. Use our 'request your dream car' page: tell us the make, model, budget and features — we'll handle the search. New vehicles enter the auctions every week.