Importing a Volvo to the UK from Japan

[SimonV70R]

Hi I'm looking for anyone in the VOC and forum that is happy to share their experience and advice regarding importing a (10year+) Volvo V70 to the UK from Japan.

Specifically practical experience with UK compliance issues;
- The Fog Light (which looks to be already fitted),
- Speedometer conversion from kms to mls (oversticker or replace the DIM?)
- Odometer remainng in kms for first UK MOT
- Language change from Japanese to English

PS, I'm all sorted on the Japan side of things, the car is on the boat!

Thanks in advance

Simon

[HankScorpio]

I've got an import. Nothing needed doing for MOT as far as I'm aware. My speedo is still in km/h and isn't an mot failure. Its amazing how quick you get used to it.

Language on display can be changed with either Vdash or by a company called Volvo Diagnostic in Rainham. I keep meaning to get it done but haven't got round to it yet. You can see my recent thread with a couple of the messages translated. There's a lot of people getting imports, we should probably start to keep tabs of the translations and send PinballDave beers.

Changing odemeter to miles is close on impossible and very expensive when I spoke to volvo diagnostic.

[JasonV702005]

Thanks guys. Although I’m sure I will work out where 30mph is on the Km speedo it loos like sourcing and swapping the instrument cluster is quite an easy job. Does anyone know if you need any reprogramming. Ive bought an amazingly low miles V70 from Japan and was looking to make it as local as possible. I’ve been told the ODO reading won’t change but is there any fix there to bring it onto miles>

[Oak]

I believe swapping the cluster to a UK one (a very quick 4 screw job) will work. Someone on here has just done a similar swap to get his kms to miles or miles to km (I can't recall which way his was). The total miles are not held in the clocks either, so swapping clocks should not alter the true reading.

UK clocks are not that expensive either - I know of one set for sale near me with a fellow Volvo owner, but there's plenty on ebay too. Normally around £40 on ebay - not too sure what my friend wants for his. You'd obviously need to keep the fuel platform the same (diesel - diesel, petrol - petrol) as the rev/tachometer is different (8k petrol, 6k diesel)

You may need to still get the car language swapped over but I'm sure DICE and VDASH can do this?

[RollingThunder]

Hi Simon, firstly congrats on the great purchase!

I can't help you on the Volvo side of things, but I also have a Japanese import car - a LandRover Discovery V8.

I can confirm that the Japanese really look after their cars - their equivalent of the MoT test for older cars is very stringent and expensive, so the cars that have lasted this long are exceptional. One thing you will have to be aware of though, is that the Japanese heat wreaks havoc with some plastics and rubbers.

You'll probably find any window rubbers will have perished and will leave nasty streaks down the paintwork when you wash the car; any convoluted plastic tubing over the wiring under the bonnet will be dust like - it'll literally crumble to nothing when you touch it; and the tyres will be Japanese spec, which are very hard compared to ours - they're not very good in the wet, lets just leave it at that

You'll also probably find all kinds of electronic goodies have been installed in the car - the Japanese love their gadgets! If you're lucky, it'll just be toll road transceivers, otherwise you could have a whole load of in car entertainment fitted - but as our radio frequencies are different, most of it won't work. I had a fabulous radio/DVD/TV setup in my Discovery, along with some whacky quad roof aerials, but non of it was compatible with UK services, so I've removed it all barring the aerials - which make it look like an unmarked Police car lol.

On the upside of course, it'll be rust free - in fact its condition will astound you, even if you're expecting it to be good We should learn how to drive in the snow & ice and stop using road salt - our cars would literally last decades longer! (But maybe thats their plan to support the motor industry...?!!!)

Finally, we'll need to see the pics when it lands!

[tonyldee]

Hi Simon. Bought a 2006 plate "Ocean Race" in Feb.59k on clock. I totally agree with Rolling Thunder's comments. Tyres are HARD. They last "forever" but the grip is certainly lacking so beware. Mine still have stacks of tread on them and loathe to change, according to my local tyre depot may even be originals. The quality of the whole car is superb- "showroom condition" The engine bay is immaculate as is the tailgate area, seats and carpets too. The only item I removed was the upright mounted sat nav screen (in Japanese) . It would not drop down so I took it out.(easy) Also found a card toll reader in the glove box. Removed that but kept both components. You will soon get used to the speedo. in kph Work out the main ones 30/40/50/60/70. I use waze app. on my phone if in a sensitive speed camera area. Just beware! Do not leave your car keys in the vehicle unless in the ignition- the system locks the car down if left! I found this to my cost when I returned from collecting the car, left the keys on the seat while I spoke to a neighbour and CLUNK! it locked me out. Spare sets of keys -in the glove box!!

[RollingThunder]

Forgot to mention, there will be a myriad of minor electrical differences too.

One that I found on the Discovery is that the automatic gear selector has an interlock on it - you HAVE to put your foot on the brake pedal before you can move the selector out of Park. No such thing on the UK/Euro spec cars. As this is a Japanese legal requirement, the Volvo will have it as well if its an auto.

I've also found some aircon wiring is different (in fact the dashboard has a Japanese market only spec loom!). So be prepared for a lot of minor differences which will throw you at first

[Welton]

I've had 2 Japanese Imports, a Honda Integra and a Mitsubishi FTO (less said about that the better). This was over 10 years ago.

Anyway you'll find the underneath of the car to be pristine because the Japanese don't use road salt.

The MOT's over there (the 'Shaken' as they call it) is more or less a complete strip down and inspection of everything and costs a small fortune so all cars have to be kept in as-new condition which the Japanese owners enjoy, as I recall owning a car there is a valued privilege unlike the UK.

Also ALL Japanese cars used to be limited to 112mph by law - not sure if that's still a thing? But that shouldn't be an issue over here - obviously

[HankScorpio]

Originally Posted by Welton

Also ALL Japanese cars used to be limited to 112mph by law - not sure if that's still a thing? But that shouldn't be an issue over here - obviously

Sounds like a bet to me! I'll let you know on that one.

[RollingThunder]

Not an issue in a Discovery! Even a V8 one gets scary over 80mph