Why do I need to have security fitted on my Japanese import?
Why do I need to have security fitted on my Japanese import? Surely its the same as the ones sold in the UK
When I think of Japanese imports ill be honest I’m taken back to my very first computer game. Which happened to be Gran Truismo. It started a life long love affair with JDM cars. I will one day own a Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo. But honestly the majority of cars being imported now are Toyota Prius. Join me on my podcast to here me rant about this. Generally if you jump in a taxi or uber in Birmingham or Bradford it’ll be an imported Prius. (Source 1)
They just don’t fit security to the same level in Japan. Especially on the older cars. But that doesn’t explain the modern cars. There are only minor differences in-between a JDM Prius and a UK spec Prius. Certainly the security systems are the same so why does Thatcham accept UK ones but not JDM ones?
The simple answer is that its only European spec vehicles which have been through thatchers testing processes. Although they know its the same they haven’t tested it. This means they just can’t put their name to it. Its the same reason the cat have to go through the rigorous SVA testing procedure (Source 2)
Why don’t they fit security in Japan?
Japan has a low crime rate for everything (Source 3). Now I might be a bit biased here, I do walk around with a Pokemon sleeve because I love Japan and there culture. (I mean I also have a degree in history with politics so I know the histor) but Japan thanks to its social pressure is a safe place to be. I’ve seen photos of shop keepers leaving the wares out in the open all night, could you see that happening in the UK?
I have an old Japanese import what thatcham category will I need?
Truth is this is totally up to insurance company. Part of the SVA is that it needs a minimum of a cat 2 immobliser to pass and gain a UK registration number. Examples of these are the Meta Autoblock, Viper 106v and cobra touchkey. The Metatrak E-Tech Deadlock is unique because it holds both thatcham cat 5 and cat 2 accreditation.
How do I get an insurance certificate for my Japanese import?
You need to have a device fitted, a certificate can only be issues at the time of installation. Here at Autonox we fit a wide range of Thatcham approved security products
This can be a minefield. Cat 1 is higher than Cat 2 for instance but S5 is higher than S7. Please speak to one of our vehicle security experts and they can guide you through the process
