Needless to say that you can either buy a new car or go for a used one from one of the many used car dealers. Used cars are obviously much cheaper, sometimes costing as low as 50,000 Yen. However, before you buy a car, you must understand what lies ahead.
Registration
Buying a car from another individual is a little bit complicated than buying from a dealer. Buyer or the seller has to submit the Meigi Henkou (Re-registration) and Massho toroku (owner's cancellation registration) papers at theKensa Toroku Jimusho (Inspection/Registration Office).
Parking Space
You will have to find a parking space, buy insurances, pay taxes and get mandatory maintenance check at specified periods.
Before you own the car you will have to submit certificate of having a Shako Shomeishou (Registered parking space) to the police. If you have to rent the parking space, the fees may vary from a few thousand yen per month to anything depending on the locality. You need to look for a parking space almost the same way as you looked for an apartment. However, to rent a parking space generally you don't require a guarantor.
Vehicle Taxes
A car owner has to pay three main taxes: Acquisition Tax, Weight tax and an annual tax. every May.
The Acquisition and weight taxes are paid at the time one buys a car. The Acquisition Tax is around 5% of the price of the car.
The weight tax depends on the size of the car engine. While you should find out the details for the car you plan to buy, here is some rough idea. For cars with engine sizes up to 2 liters the weight tax may around 55,000 Yen. For larger sizes it may be around 75,000.
The annual tax is paid every May and is about 5,000 Yen for smaller cars but may be around 60,000 for bigger cars.
Vehicle Insurance
The Kyosei Hoken (Mandatory insurance) covers the car. The Jibaiseki hoken (Optional insurance) covers collateral injuries/damages you may incur or cause.
You may also insure against such things as theft, vandalism etc.
Considering the huge financial pot holes you may land into in case of accidents or damage caused to yourself or to others it is advisable that you get good insurance if you buy a car.
Find out the details of available options and discounts before you settle for a insurance company and the insurance plan.
Shaken - The Mandatory Vehicle Inspection
All cars older than 3 years have to have a Shaken (Mandatory maintenance check) once in two years.
The cost for this mandatory check may vary from around 150,000 Yen for smaller cars and more for the bigger ones. That is, if there is nothing really much to fix. If something is broken then the cost would go up further.
Registration
Buying a car from another individual is a little bit complicated than buying from a dealer. Buyer or the seller has to submit the Meigi Henkou (Re-registration) and Massho toroku (owner's cancellation registration) papers at theKensa Toroku Jimusho (Inspection/Registration Office).
Parking Space
You will have to find a parking space, buy insurances, pay taxes and get mandatory maintenance check at specified periods.
Before you own the car you will have to submit certificate of having a Shako Shomeishou (Registered parking space) to the police. If you have to rent the parking space, the fees may vary from a few thousand yen per month to anything depending on the locality. You need to look for a parking space almost the same way as you looked for an apartment. However, to rent a parking space generally you don't require a guarantor.
Vehicle Taxes
A car owner has to pay three main taxes: Acquisition Tax, Weight tax and an annual tax. every May.
The Acquisition and weight taxes are paid at the time one buys a car. The Acquisition Tax is around 5% of the price of the car.
The weight tax depends on the size of the car engine. While you should find out the details for the car you plan to buy, here is some rough idea. For cars with engine sizes up to 2 liters the weight tax may around 55,000 Yen. For larger sizes it may be around 75,000.
The annual tax is paid every May and is about 5,000 Yen for smaller cars but may be around 60,000 for bigger cars.
Vehicle Insurance
The Kyosei Hoken (Mandatory insurance) covers the car. The Jibaiseki hoken (Optional insurance) covers collateral injuries/damages you may incur or cause.
You may also insure against such things as theft, vandalism etc.
Considering the huge financial pot holes you may land into in case of accidents or damage caused to yourself or to others it is advisable that you get good insurance if you buy a car.
Find out the details of available options and discounts before you settle for a insurance company and the insurance plan.
Shaken - The Mandatory Vehicle Inspection
All cars older than 3 years have to have a Shaken (Mandatory maintenance check) once in two years.
The cost for this mandatory check may vary from around 150,000 Yen for smaller cars and more for the bigger ones. That is, if there is nothing really much to fix. If something is broken then the cost would go up further.
