If you’re a foreign resident in Japan looking to sell your car at the highest price, this article is for you! We’ll introduce methods to sell your car at a good price and how to prepare for it. Even if you don’t understand Japanese, there are services available to help you with peace of mind!
When I bought my car, the dealership staff couldn’t speak English, and it was really difficult. Selling it seems like it’ll be just as hard.
There are services that let you get quotes from multiple car buyers at once, but I can’t use them because I don’t speak Japanese.”
“I could sell my car on social media to someone who speaks English, but I’m worried about the risks.
Living in Japan as a foreign resident can make selling a car a real challenge. You might get a low estimate if you go with just one buyer, and selling through social media carries risks. This article is written to ease your concerns, so please read on till the end!
About Us: ASAHI MOTORS
We provide car sales, purchases, and long-term rental services in English, specifically for foreign residents in Japan. Our goal is to support those who don’t speak Japanese so they can navigate car ownership in Japan smoothly and confidently.
4 Ways to Sell Your Car in Japan
When it comes to selling your car in Japan, there are various methods to choose from. Here, we introduce four main options for selling your vehicle.
Selling to a Car Dealer
This method involves trading in your current car, with the sale price deducted from the cost of your next car. If you’ve already decided on your next vehicle, this is a convenient option as the dealer handles the entire process from sale to purchase, saving you time and effort.
Pros:
- Simplifies the process of selling and buying.
- Convenient and time-saving.
Cons:
- Car dealers tend to focus on selling new cars rather than reselling used ones, so high valuations are uncommon.
- If your car is from a different manufacturer than the dealer specializes in, it’s unlikely to fetch a high price.
Selling to a Used Car Buying Specialist
If you own a rare or specialized vehicle, selling it to a used car buying specialist may yield a higher price than a dealer or general used car shop.
Pros:
- Specialists evaluate the hidden value of unique or niche vehicles, even those that general dealers might refuse to accept.
- Higher chances of securing a fair price for rare or customized cars.
Cons:
- Availability and interest depend on the type and condition of the car.
Private Sale via Social Media
Private sales through social media or auction platforms are becoming increasingly popular. These platforms often support multiple languages, which is particularly advantageous for foreign residents who may not be fluent in Japanese.
Pros:
- You can negotiate at your convenience.
- Freedom to choose your buyer.
- Potential to sell niche or customized cars for a higher price.
Cons:
- Risk of personal disputes.
Cars, like real estate, have registered ownership tied to license plates and must go through an official name transfer process when bought or sold. - Dealers and specialists handle this for you, but in private sales, the buyer and seller are responsible for managing the transfer.
- If ownership isn’t transferred properly, issues like tax bills could still be sent to the original owner, potentially leading to legal troubles or financial claims.
- Other risks include non-payment, post-purchase complaints, or disputes over the condition of the vehicle.
By understanding these methods and weighing the pros and cons, you can choose the best option for selling your car in Japan.
Using Car Bulk Appraisal Websites
Using car bulk appraisal websites allows you to avoid the hassle of contacting individual car buyers for quotes. Simply enter necessary details such as the car model, year, and mileage on the website, and wait for car buyers to reach out. You can then schedule evaluations at your convenience—whether at home or another location—and choose the buyer offering the best price.
Pros:
- Saves time and effort by eliminating the need for multiple individual inquiries.
- Convenient scheduling and competitive pricing.
Cons:
- After submitting your request, you may receive calls from over 10 different car buyers almost immediately.
- These calls may persist until you answer, often continuing for several hours or even into the next day.
- Blocking a number might not solve the issue, as calls may come from alternate numbers.
How ASAHI MOTORS Can Help
As mentioned earlier, bulk appraisal websites are a commonly used method for selling cars at a high price. However, for foreign residents who don’t speak Japanese, handling phone calls can be particularly challenging. While asking a Japanese friend for assistance might seem like an option, many Japanese people dislike dealing with the flood of calls from car buyers and may not be willing to help.
At ASAHI MOTORS, we provide support to help you navigate this process smoothly and sell your car without unnecessary stress. Let us handle the complexities for you!
We would love to purchase your car, but using a bulk appraisal service often results in higher offers.
When that’s the case, feel free to contact us at ASAHI MOTORS.
We can act as your agent for the bulk appraisal process, including handling all phone communications on your behalf.
Service Fee: ¥49,000 (tax excluded)
Consultations are free, and our support extends from the moment we apply for the appraisal as your agent to gathering all the necessary documents for the sale.
1.Contact ASAHI MOTORS
Start by sending us the following details via our contact form:
- Car name
- Year of manufacture
- Mileage
- Any scratches or repair history
2.Schedule the Appraisal Date
Decide on a date for the appraisal. Buyers will come to your home or workplace to inspect the car. You can also arrange for multiple buyers to come at the same time for simultaneous appraisals to encourage competitive offers.
3.Appraisal
On the scheduled date, buyers will visit your specified location, such as your home, to inspect the car.
Please note that during this process, communication will be between you and the buyers. Using a translation app can help. The appraisal typically takes about an hour.
4.Compare Appraisal Offers
After receiving the offers, compare them to decide which buyer you want to sell your car to. Communication with the buyers during this stage will be handled by ASAHI MOTORS, so you can relax. Simply review the offers we present to you and make your decision.
Since the actual contract is between you and the buyer, you can trust that the offers we present are genuine and not manipulated.
Here’s an important point to consider.
While it’s natural to want to sell your car to the buyer offering the highest price, sometimes you might feel, “The salesperson’s attitude is terrible; I don’t want to sell to this person.”
We may also advise you against selling to certain buyers if we believe they might not be the best choice.
Of course, you’re free to make the decision on your own. However, taking our advice into account can help ensure a smoother and more satisfying car-selling experience.
5.Gather Necessary Documents
When selling a car, you’ll need to prepare the following documents:
- Vehicle Inspection Certificate (Shaken-sho)
- Compulsory Liability Insurance Certificate
- Vehicle Recycling Ticket
- Automobile Tax Payment Certificate
- Registered Seal (Jitsuin) and Seal Registration Certificate
- Power of Attorney and Transfer Certificate
We also provide support to help you understand which documents are needed and where to obtain them.
Preparing to Sell Your Car
Prepare the Maintenance Notebook
The maintenance notebook includes the manufacturer’s warranty and inspection records. It serves as proof of proper maintenance, showing the history of inspections and repairs your car has undergone.
Deodorize and Clean the Car
Before having your car appraised, make sure to thoroughly deodorize and clean it. Odors from tobacco, pets, or air fresheners can significantly lower the appraisal value, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of yen.
Set a Clear Deadline for Handover
Car buyers generally prefer to take possession of vehicles as soon as possible. This is to avoid risks such as increased mileage, additional scratches or dents, and the depreciation of the car’s resale value over time. Ideally, you should hand over the car on the day of the appraisal or the next day, but if that’s not feasible, make sure to set a clear deadline for the handover.
In Closing
If you’re a foreign resident in Japan selling your car, it may also mean you’re preparing to leave the country. To ensure you can leave Japan on a positive note, take the time to fully understand the process and sell your car with confidence!
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