Price estimates explained
All costs are listed for each vehicle in as much detail as possible, so please read the vehicle descriptions thoroughly as this will tell you the costs that have been allowed for and those that have not.
Our Import Cost Calculator is a very helpful tool which we recommend you use for your calculations. Simply e-mail us at sales@prestigemotorsport.com.au and we will gladly e-mail you the latest version. If you let us know the make and model of vehicle you are looking for also, we would be happy to add you to a FREE TRIAL of our Auction Alerts System which will e-mail you suitable vehicles daily, with sale prices available the next day.
Also see these related FAQ's:
What are tyres and on road costs (ORCs) ?
What is Compliance and how much does it cost ?
For answers to most other import related questions please see our FULL FAQ's
We get many questions on pricing, mostly because the prices are so good that they can seem "too cheap" to be believed. These days we are all unfortunately so used to expecting hidden costs in everything that we buy that this leads to a natural scepticism of prices. However, we DO NOT believe in hidden costs.
Please note that the prices really are as good as they appear and we hope that the following clarifications will assist customers to better evaluate their options and expected costs.
The explanations below do go into a fair amount of detail, so if anyone finds this confusing you may prefer to use the following rough rules of thumb to obtain a quick idea of total price. Simply add the following amounts to our price estimates to obtain an approximate on road price -- in your garage, EVERYTHING PAID, including our service fee, compliance and 12 months' registration.
For a vehicle (e.g. Supra, Skyline etc.) imported under the new import scheme (SEVS)
o Add $2,000* for a $15,000 vehicle
o Add $2,500* for a $20,000 vehicle
o Add $3,500* for a $30,000 vehicle
* $400 more in Sydney due to higher registration costs.
For a vehicle (e.g. 1988 RX-7, 1988 R31 Skyline, 1989 300ZX, 1989 Celsior, 1990 MR-2 etc.) imported under the 15 year rule
Add $2,500* for an $8,000 to $12,000 vehicle
* $400 more in Sydney due to higher registration costs.
We would stress that these are only very rough guidelines and will vary both up and down depending on many factors. We highly recommend that you refer to the following detailed information which will allow for much more accurate estimates.
Compliance under SEVS must be undertaken by a workshop approved to make the changes and to affix a compliance plate to the vehicle. Once complete, the vehicle can then be registered for road use in the normal way.
For information on removing aftermarket parts for compliance, please see:
Removal of non-standard parts for compliance
We have many compliance contacts and can usually provide a recommendation for your area for a reliable workshop that offers the best price. In many cases, our customers are able to access trade prices for compliance which are otherwise not available to the public, and significant cost savings are possible. Sometimes this saving alone covers the entire cost of our service fee and more !
Click here for our Import Cost Calculator which includes a list of compliance prices for common models (click on "Enter the cost of compliance" heading for detailed guidance notes).
How and why we state the costs as we do
All known costs (e.g. vehicle cost, our service fee, compliance) plus those that can be accurately predicted (e.g. import duties, GST, shipping) are always included in price estimates. Other costs that will vary significantly obviously cannot be included as the total estimate would become inaccurate. Examples of variable costs include:
o Govt. Stamp Duty, which varies depending on the cost of the vehicle and the State where the vehicle is registered
o Registration, which depends on the State
o Tyres, which depends on the brand and size of tyres that you choose
The costs for vehicles imported under SEVS
All price estimates for vehicles to be imported under SEVS (the new import scheme), include the following costs:
o FOB cost of the vehicle (FOB means the Free On Board cost = cost of the vehicle + buyer's fee to export from Japan) at the current exchange rate
o Our service fee of $1,100 (includes GST)
o Shipping, customs, quarantine and agent fees for clearance from the wharf (paid once the vehicle arrives in Australia)
o Compliance
Additional costs will be:
o Tyres and on ORC's (On Road Costs). Please see below for a full clarification of the costs for tyres and ORC's.
The costs for 'Dealer Stock' section vehicles
Dealer Stock generally does not last long as it is only listed on a large Dealer network within Japan for usually a few days prior to being moved to auction (if not sold). So it is important to act quickly if you see something you like.
The prices online (for the Dealer Network section only) are the raw wholesale prices to which you must add the buyer's fee to export the vehicle plus transport. Usually this totals about 160,000 yen, depending on the location, but this can vary. Prices of the vehicles themselves through this source are fixed and non-negotiable.
Please note that the pricing is set by the Dealers which are not related to nor controlled by us in any way. Once vehicles go from Dealer Stock to auction, the auction process and the owner's reserve will determine the final price. This price may be higher or lower than the original Dealer Network price. Again, this is beyond our control. In our experience, if you see a vehicle of interest in Dealer Stock for what appears to be a reasonable fixed price, it is usually better to proceed rather than wait and take the chance that it will go to auction where other variables may affect the price and you may in fact end up paying more.
All available pictures and condition report (for Dealer Network vehicles) are already included online.
The costs for 15 year old vehicles
All price estimates for vehicles to be imported under the 15 year rule include the following costs:
o FOB cost of the vehicle (FOB means the Free On Board cost = cost of the vehicle + buyer's fee to export from Japan) at the current exchange rate
o Our service fee of $1,100 (includes GST)
o Shipping, customs, quarantine and agent fees for clearance from the wharf (paid once the vehicle arrives in Australia)
Additional costs will be:
-- Minor "compliance" type modifications required prior to registration (which can be done by anyone). We always suggest with 15 year old vehicles that an allowance of about $1,200 be made for these modifications, which vary from vehicle to vehicle and State to State. They may include the following items:
o Seatbelts
o Sun visors
o Child restraint points in the rear parcel shelf
o High level brake light
o Driver's side mirror changed from convex to flat
o Unleaded fuel filler opening restrictor
o Side intrusion bars
o Engineer's certificate
o A new set of tyres only need to be fitted if the Japanese tyres are not roadworthy, in most cases they are fine
If you are uncertain about what needs to be done for a vehicle you are considering, you should ask the registration authority in your State for further information. We can also provide you with recommended workshops in your State to assist you, and they will be able to provide a quote for the work of your particular model. The total price will vary just depending on the vehicle model, your State, and whether you make the changes yourself or have someone do it for you.
-- ORC's. ORC's are the normal On Road Costs that anyone in Australia is charged by the Goverment when they register an unlicensed vehicle. They include Stamp Duty and Registration costs, which are explained below.
Government stamp duty varies by State but the average for light passenger vehicles of less than $20,000 market value is about 3% of the market value. From then on, a sliding scale percentage is used in some States so more expensive vehicles can cost their owners up to 6% or more in stamp duty once a certain level is reached.
The "Market Value" is the amount you declare the vehicle to be worth at the time of registration. For a vehicle worth $20,000 for example, the stamp duty would be about $600, plus some processing charges. The market value you state your vehicle to be worth is entirely up to you, but you should endeavour to be as accurate as possible as there are penalties for false statements.
We suggest that customers use the total amount that it cost to import their vehicle, which of course they would be able to substantiate if ever the market value was queried.
Registration costs vary by State, and for 12 months registration range from about $450 in most States to about $900 in NSW. You can check the exact costs with your State's registration authority. See the following websites for further information:
RTA Licensing and Registration (NSW)
VICRoads Licensing and Registration (VIC)
Licensing and Registration (TAS)
Licensing and Registration (QLD)
Licensing and Registration (WA)
MVR Licensing and Registration (NT)
Regency Licensing and Registration (SA)
Licensing and Registration (ACT)
What does "plus tyres and on road costs" (ORC's) mean?
New tyres must be fitted to all vehicles imported under SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme). In most cases there is nothing wrong with the tyres that come fitted to the vehicle when it is bought -- the quality is equal to the tyres sold in Australia and the tread depth may be safe. However, this requirement has to do with ensuring that the tyres meet Australian Design Rules (ADR's). Very few Japanese tyres have the required Australian rating printed on the side, so the easiest way to rectify this situation is to fit new tyres bought in Australia.
Can you keep the old tyres ? In most cases this should be possible, however this is ultimately up to the compliance workshop involved. We will recommend a workshop to undertake compliance for you and you should discuss the issue of tyres with them.
The cost of tyres naturally depends on the brand you choose and the size of the wheels, and this depends on what YOU want. You can have the compliance workshop supply a set of tyres for the rims that came with the car (usually they can obtain trade prices and pass the savings on to you). Or if you prefer, you can source and supply the new tyres to the compliance workshop for fitting if you wish. Providing that you can show a receipt for the new tyre purchase, the compliance process is satisfied. So the choice is entirely up to you.
Prices vary greatly, but rough estimates for a set of 4 x decent quality tyres are (you can call any tyre shop for more accurate pricing):
15" $500
16" $650
17" $850
18" $1,100
Selection of brand and size is very personal and hard to evaluate so we are unable to offer any recommendations to customers other than not skimping on tyres as they are your physical contact with the road and as such are one of the most important safety aspects of your vehicle. A good set of tyres will also enhance your driving experience and will allow you to get the most out of your vehicle.
ORC's are the normal On Road Costs that anyone in Australia is charged by the Goverment when they register an unlicensed vehicle. They include Stamp Duty and Registration costs, which are explained below.
Government stamp duty varies by State but the average for light passenger vehicles of less than $20,000 market value is about 3% of the market value. From then on, a sliding scale percentage is used in some States so more expensive vehicles can cost their owners up to 6% or more in stamp duty once a certain level is reached.
The "Market Value" is the amount you declare the vehicle to be worth at the time of registration. For a vehicle worth $20,000 for example, the stamp duty would be about $600, plus some processing charges. The market value you state your vehicle to be worth is entirely up to you, but you should endeavour to be as accurate as possible as there are penalties for false statements.
We suggest that customers use the total amount that it cost to import their vehicle, which of course they would be able to substantiate if ever the market value was queried.
Registration costs vary by State, and for 12 months registration range from about $450 in most States to about $900 in NSW. You can check the exact costs with your State's registration authority. See the following websites for further information:
RTA Licensing and Registration (NSW)
VICRoads Licensing and Registration (VIC)
Licensing and Registration (TAS)
Licensing and Registration (QLD)
Licensing and Registration (WA)
MVR Licensing and Registration (NT)
Regency Licensing and Registration (SA)
Licensing and Registration (ACT)
Our Import Cost Calculator is a very helpful tool which we recommend you use for your calculations. Simply e-mail us at sales@prestigemotorsport.com.au and we will gladly e-mail you the latest version. If you let us know the make and model of vehicle you are looking for also, we would be happy to add you to a FREE TRIAL of our Auction Alerts System which will e-mail you suitable vehicles daily, with sale prices available the next day.
Also see these related FAQ's:
What are tyres and on road costs (ORCs) ?
What is Compliance and how much does it cost ?
For answers to most other import related questions please see our FULL FAQ's
We get many questions on pricing, mostly because the prices are so good that they can seem "too cheap" to be believed. These days we are all unfortunately so used to expecting hidden costs in everything that we buy that this leads to a natural scepticism of prices. However, we DO NOT believe in hidden costs.
Please note that the prices really are as good as they appear and we hope that the following clarifications will assist customers to better evaluate their options and expected costs.
The explanations below do go into a fair amount of detail, so if anyone finds this confusing you may prefer to use the following rough rules of thumb to obtain a quick idea of total price. Simply add the following amounts to our price estimates to obtain an approximate on road price -- in your garage, EVERYTHING PAID, including our service fee, compliance and 12 months' registration.
For a vehicle (e.g. Supra, Skyline etc.) imported under the new import scheme (SEVS)
o Add $2,000* for a $15,000 vehicle
o Add $2,500* for a $20,000 vehicle
o Add $3,500* for a $30,000 vehicle
* $400 more in Sydney due to higher registration costs.
For a vehicle (e.g. 1988 RX-7, 1988 R31 Skyline, 1989 300ZX, 1989 Celsior, 1990 MR-2 etc.) imported under the 15 year rule
Add $2,500* for an $8,000 to $12,000 vehicle
* $400 more in Sydney due to higher registration costs.
We would stress that these are only very rough guidelines and will vary both up and down depending on many factors. We highly recommend that you refer to the following detailed information which will allow for much more accurate estimates.
Compliance under SEVS must be undertaken by a workshop approved to make the changes and to affix a compliance plate to the vehicle. Once complete, the vehicle can then be registered for road use in the normal way.
For information on removing aftermarket parts for compliance, please see:
Removal of non-standard parts for compliance
We have many compliance contacts and can usually provide a recommendation for your area for a reliable workshop that offers the best price. In many cases, our customers are able to access trade prices for compliance which are otherwise not available to the public, and significant cost savings are possible. Sometimes this saving alone covers the entire cost of our service fee and more !
Click here for our Import Cost Calculator which includes a list of compliance prices for common models (click on "Enter the cost of compliance" heading for detailed guidance notes).
How and why we state the costs as we do
All known costs (e.g. vehicle cost, our service fee, compliance) plus those that can be accurately predicted (e.g. import duties, GST, shipping) are always included in price estimates. Other costs that will vary significantly obviously cannot be included as the total estimate would become inaccurate. Examples of variable costs include:
o Govt. Stamp Duty, which varies depending on the cost of the vehicle and the State where the vehicle is registered
o Registration, which depends on the State
o Tyres, which depends on the brand and size of tyres that you choose
The costs for vehicles imported under SEVS
All price estimates for vehicles to be imported under SEVS (the new import scheme), include the following costs:
o FOB cost of the vehicle (FOB means the Free On Board cost = cost of the vehicle + buyer's fee to export from Japan) at the current exchange rate
o Our service fee of $1,100 (includes GST)
o Shipping, customs, quarantine and agent fees for clearance from the wharf (paid once the vehicle arrives in Australia)
o Compliance
Additional costs will be:
o Tyres and on ORC's (On Road Costs). Please see below for a full clarification of the costs for tyres and ORC's.
The costs for 'Dealer Stock' section vehicles
Dealer Stock generally does not last long as it is only listed on a large Dealer network within Japan for usually a few days prior to being moved to auction (if not sold). So it is important to act quickly if you see something you like.
The prices online (for the Dealer Network section only) are the raw wholesale prices to which you must add the buyer's fee to export the vehicle plus transport. Usually this totals about 160,000 yen, depending on the location, but this can vary. Prices of the vehicles themselves through this source are fixed and non-negotiable.
Please note that the pricing is set by the Dealers which are not related to nor controlled by us in any way. Once vehicles go from Dealer Stock to auction, the auction process and the owner's reserve will determine the final price. This price may be higher or lower than the original Dealer Network price. Again, this is beyond our control. In our experience, if you see a vehicle of interest in Dealer Stock for what appears to be a reasonable fixed price, it is usually better to proceed rather than wait and take the chance that it will go to auction where other variables may affect the price and you may in fact end up paying more.
All available pictures and condition report (for Dealer Network vehicles) are already included online.
The costs for 15 year old vehicles
All price estimates for vehicles to be imported under the 15 year rule include the following costs:
o FOB cost of the vehicle (FOB means the Free On Board cost = cost of the vehicle + buyer's fee to export from Japan) at the current exchange rate
o Our service fee of $1,100 (includes GST)
o Shipping, customs, quarantine and agent fees for clearance from the wharf (paid once the vehicle arrives in Australia)
Additional costs will be:
-- Minor "compliance" type modifications required prior to registration (which can be done by anyone). We always suggest with 15 year old vehicles that an allowance of about $1,200 be made for these modifications, which vary from vehicle to vehicle and State to State. They may include the following items:
o Seatbelts
o Sun visors
o Child restraint points in the rear parcel shelf
o High level brake light
o Driver's side mirror changed from convex to flat
o Unleaded fuel filler opening restrictor
o Side intrusion bars
o Engineer's certificate
o A new set of tyres only need to be fitted if the Japanese tyres are not roadworthy, in most cases they are fine
If you are uncertain about what needs to be done for a vehicle you are considering, you should ask the registration authority in your State for further information. We can also provide you with recommended workshops in your State to assist you, and they will be able to provide a quote for the work of your particular model. The total price will vary just depending on the vehicle model, your State, and whether you make the changes yourself or have someone do it for you.
-- ORC's. ORC's are the normal On Road Costs that anyone in Australia is charged by the Goverment when they register an unlicensed vehicle. They include Stamp Duty and Registration costs, which are explained below.
Government stamp duty varies by State but the average for light passenger vehicles of less than $20,000 market value is about 3% of the market value. From then on, a sliding scale percentage is used in some States so more expensive vehicles can cost their owners up to 6% or more in stamp duty once a certain level is reached.
The "Market Value" is the amount you declare the vehicle to be worth at the time of registration. For a vehicle worth $20,000 for example, the stamp duty would be about $600, plus some processing charges. The market value you state your vehicle to be worth is entirely up to you, but you should endeavour to be as accurate as possible as there are penalties for false statements.
We suggest that customers use the total amount that it cost to import their vehicle, which of course they would be able to substantiate if ever the market value was queried.
Registration costs vary by State, and for 12 months registration range from about $450 in most States to about $900 in NSW. You can check the exact costs with your State's registration authority. See the following websites for further information:
RTA Licensing and Registration (NSW)
VICRoads Licensing and Registration (VIC)
Licensing and Registration (TAS)
Licensing and Registration (QLD)
Licensing and Registration (WA)
MVR Licensing and Registration (NT)
Regency Licensing and Registration (SA)
Licensing and Registration (ACT)
What does "plus tyres and on road costs" (ORC's) mean?
New tyres must be fitted to all vehicles imported under SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme). In most cases there is nothing wrong with the tyres that come fitted to the vehicle when it is bought -- the quality is equal to the tyres sold in Australia and the tread depth may be safe. However, this requirement has to do with ensuring that the tyres meet Australian Design Rules (ADR's). Very few Japanese tyres have the required Australian rating printed on the side, so the easiest way to rectify this situation is to fit new tyres bought in Australia.
Can you keep the old tyres ? In most cases this should be possible, however this is ultimately up to the compliance workshop involved. We will recommend a workshop to undertake compliance for you and you should discuss the issue of tyres with them.
The cost of tyres naturally depends on the brand you choose and the size of the wheels, and this depends on what YOU want. You can have the compliance workshop supply a set of tyres for the rims that came with the car (usually they can obtain trade prices and pass the savings on to you). Or if you prefer, you can source and supply the new tyres to the compliance workshop for fitting if you wish. Providing that you can show a receipt for the new tyre purchase, the compliance process is satisfied. So the choice is entirely up to you.
Prices vary greatly, but rough estimates for a set of 4 x decent quality tyres are (you can call any tyre shop for more accurate pricing):
15" $500
16" $650
17" $850
18" $1,100
Selection of brand and size is very personal and hard to evaluate so we are unable to offer any recommendations to customers other than not skimping on tyres as they are your physical contact with the road and as such are one of the most important safety aspects of your vehicle. A good set of tyres will also enhance your driving experience and will allow you to get the most out of your vehicle.
ORC's are the normal On Road Costs that anyone in Australia is charged by the Goverment when they register an unlicensed vehicle. They include Stamp Duty and Registration costs, which are explained below.
Government stamp duty varies by State but the average for light passenger vehicles of less than $20,000 market value is about 3% of the market value. From then on, a sliding scale percentage is used in some States so more expensive vehicles can cost their owners up to 6% or more in stamp duty once a certain level is reached.
The "Market Value" is the amount you declare the vehicle to be worth at the time of registration. For a vehicle worth $20,000 for example, the stamp duty would be about $600, plus some processing charges. The market value you state your vehicle to be worth is entirely up to you, but you should endeavour to be as accurate as possible as there are penalties for false statements.
We suggest that customers use the total amount that it cost to import their vehicle, which of course they would be able to substantiate if ever the market value was queried.
Registration costs vary by State, and for 12 months registration range from about $450 in most States to about $900 in NSW. You can check the exact costs with your State's registration authority. See the following websites for further information:
RTA Licensing and Registration (NSW)
VICRoads Licensing and Registration (VIC)
Licensing and Registration (TAS)
Licensing and Registration (QLD)
Licensing and Registration (WA)
MVR Licensing and Registration (NT)
Regency Licensing and Registration (SA)
Licensing and Registration (ACT)