I have a second look at the car next week, I have researched critical areas of "problems" and heard it start from a very cold start with only a slight rattle for one or two seconds so I am not really concerned about the timing chain guides. According to the service history it has at least one service every 1500 miles ( am guessing very regular oil changes). Do the Japanese imports have any country specific equipment difficult to source or service ? This is a Tiptronic version.

When I go for a test drive what should I look out for ( I know other cars 🙂).

Any advice most welcome, thanks.

 

TerryC

Update.

I took the car for a test drive, on receipt the headlights were full of water ! The high beam drivers side was off and fog light bulb blown, the engine had a vacuum hose leak somewhere, the timing chain sounded fine and the service light was on. Body shell was very good. Quite tight when driving with other things pretty much as you would expect. It had just passed an MOT test with no advisories, hmm perhaps the lights had just failed ? Reported mileage 55,000 looked OK with a full Japanese service history. Walked away from it at £11,000

A wise choice. To have passed a test with visibly defective lights would not fill me with confidence with regard to the condition of the rest of the car.

Are you trying to tell us that this 19 year old car is £11K? 

Definitely did the right thing walking away. 

Sorry for the late reply, I have just moved house (which has space for at least 4 cars 🙂) and yes they wanted £11,000. I said I might consider it at £9,000 and he nearly choked. I did a "car vertical" check on it, and it was imported into the UK in January 2024 then registered in the UK in February. Previous prices were £12,300 and £12,000. Dealer has had it for a year and I think he paid too much for it. BTW when I was talking to him, I noticed a Rolex Mariner on his wrist and I large diamond encrusted ring, hmmm "Del Boy" type. Anyway I will keep looking.

 

Crusty