Japan is a good source of low-mileage, well-kept 911s, but two things decide whether one makes sense in the UK: which side the steering wheel is on, and how old the car is.
1. Check the steering side
Japanese-market Porsches were sold in both left- and right-hand drive. A LHD 911 can be registered in the UK, but RHD cars are easier to live with and resell. The listing photos show the dashboard, and we confirm before payment.
2. Age decides the paperwork
- Under 10 years old (most 991.2 and 992 cars): approval needed before registration, usually IVA or mutual recognition using Porsche documents, plus an mph speedometer and UK lighting.
- 10 years or older (996, 997, early 991): no IVA. An MOT and DVLA registration are enough.
That's why 997 and early 991 cars are often the sweet spot for UK buyers: modern enough to enjoy, old enough to skip IVA.
Duty and VAT
Import duty and VAT are charged on the car plus freight (CIF). On a 911 that's a large number, so compare the total landed cost with UK prices before committing.
What to check
- IMS bearing and bore scoring on 996 and early 997 engines.
- Options (Sport Chrono, PASM, sports exhaust). We send the option list.
- Service history from Porsche Japan dealers.
Price
The table below shows the live delivered price to the UK and other countries.
Model guide: Porsche 911 from Japan. UK page: Japanese cars in the UK. WhatsApp us.