Used cars for sale In Palmerston North - Flywheels Blog

 Although it is not mandatory to have car insurance for used cars for sale in New Zealand, you may want to consider it to avoid paying expensive fees if you are ever involved in a car accident in New Zealand – whether it’s your fault or another party’s. However, the cost of buying insurance is a big expense in itself so it’s important to compare the market and get the best deal.

 Before you even do a test drive of used cars for sale , we strongly recommend that you become familiar with the New Zealand rules of the road. Even if you come from a country that appears to have similar road rules to New Zealand, you may be surprised at the subtle differences that could make a huge difference to whether you may have an accident or not. 

A used cars for sale warrant of fitness (WoF) is a regular check to ensure that your vehicle meets required safety standards.

It’s your job to keep your vehicle up to WoF condition at all times.

For example, while tyres on your vehicle may pass on the day of your warrant inspection, you’ll need to replace them as soon as the tread gets to the minimum depth.

If you wait until the next inspection before replacing them, you increase your risk of having a crash or receiving a fine.

For new vehicles, after an initial inspection, another WoF inspection won't be required until the 3rd anniversary of their first registration.

The length of time a WoF is issued for is calculated based on the vehicle’s date of first registration in New Zealand 

• tyre condition (including tread depth)
• brake operation
• structural condition (rust is not allowed in certain areas)
• lights
• glazing (is your windscreen safe?)
• windscreen washers and wipers
• doors (do they open and close safely?)
• safety belt (must not be damaged or overly faded; buckles must work properly)
• airbags (if fitted)
• speedometer (must be working)
• steering and suspension (must be safe and secure)
• exhaust (there must be no leaks and the exhaust must not be Smokey or Louder than the original exhaust system)
• fuel system (there must be no leaks).

A WoF is not a pre-purchase inspection. It doesn’t include many areas of a vehicle's condition.

For example it doesn't check:

• engine, clutch, gearbox and differential condition
•  lubricant levels and condition 
• brake pad thickness or life expectancy, unless they are visibly below safe limits 
• paint work condition and some rust in non-structural areas.

If your vehicle fails a WOF inspection you cannot drive it on the road unless you’re taking it somewhere to get it repaired or get a new WoF – and it’s safe to do so.

All lights on your used cars for sale must be able to be working anytime.

Your car's headlight can make your driving time safe at night and in poor light.

It provides a good view of the road and roadside not only for you, but also for other divers and pedestrians.

How to check if your car's lights are working?

• Turn your hazard lights on and walk around the car – check all indicators are flashing
• Check lenses are clean and not cracked or hazy
• Check your headlights, reversing lights and brake lights are working. You can check your back lights by reversing close to a wall by seeing the reflection in your rear view mirror.
• Do not forget to check the lisence lights are also working

When rinsing in water is finished, next step is a car wash.

"Washing used cars for sale with car shampoo" is the very important point.

Dirt such as "fingerprint" attached to a car is "oily things".

If you wash a car with only water, stains that cannot be removed with water will remain in car body.

There are many contaminants that can not remove by car washing with only water.

【1】Wash away dust,sand,mud and dirt with a strong water current.

【2】Put some CAR SHAMPOO(appox.13ml to 25ml) into a bucket.

【3】Let make bubble much with a strong water current.( You need appox.2L of water.)

【4】Wash softly and gently with the sponge.

【5】Before dry, rinse thoroughly with water in large quantities.

【6】Wipe off the remaining water by a cloth . When you finish to wipe,your work is completed.

used cars for sale operators must make sure that glazing must be kept in good condition to ensure the driver can see through the windows clearly and can drive the vehicle safely. Make sure that:

• the windscreen and front side windows are kept clean and unobstructed
• the windscreen does not have any scratches, discolouration or other defects that impair vision through it
• the glazing is structurally sound and securely fitted to the vehicle.

 When a windscreen is damaged, the damage should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the damage from spreading further and affecting the driver's vision and the windscreen's structural strength. A small crack that can be repaired can quickly develop into a large crack that requires the windscreen to be replaced. 

The law says that a vehicle's windscreen wash and wipe systems must keep the windscreen clean and clear enough for the driver to be able to drive safely at all times and under all weather conditions.

Glazing must comply with approved glazing standards or trade names, as indicated by markings on the glass. Windows originally fitted to vehicles will already comply, depending on the type and age of the vehicle. 

Do you want to wash the car anywhere, anytime?

But before you wash your car, there are several points for your car. before buying used cars for sale, please make sure

Do not wash cars absolutely under high temperature and in the strong sun.

Washing cars in places with bright sun shine such as summer hot weather will damage the body.

When the paint surface is too hot, a "water spot" that causes tap water to evaporate and damage the paint will occur.

Please wash the car with cloudy weather or in the shade as much as possible.

Also, we do not recommend washing car on strong windy days.

Rather than removing dirt, much dust adheres to the car body.

Always be sure to arrange car wash tools exclusively for car wash.

Depending on things, scratches are attached to the car body, water absorption is bad, it takes time to work, and the car wash will be counterproductive.

Some people use brushes for car wash, but it will make scratches on the surface.

So please use sponge or Mouton glove for car wash.

Brushes can be used for dirty parts such as wheels and tires.

Because you wash your car with water and detergent, please wash in a good waste-water place and take care about your surroundings(Neighborhood).

Before car wash, please be sure to rinse away the dust accumulated on the car body.

If you wash a car with sand and dust remaining with shampoo and sponge, that it will make scratches and damages on the paint surface.

Before car wash, it is important step to rinse out dust and sands with water first.

It is the car wash basic to apply water from roof and high to low place.

Asymmetrical type

before buying used cars for sale, Unlike symmetrical tyres, asymmetric tyres have a different tread pattern on the inner and outer sides of the tyre. Tread blocks on the outer side are usually larger to provide better grip when cornering. On the inner side, grooves are designed to quickly remove water on wet roads. Asymmetric tyres are mostly available in medium and large sizes (17 inches and above) and are often fitted on powerful, middle to upper range vehicles.

Advantages:

Excellent handling and cornering stability.

Aquaplaning resistance for maximum safety in wet conditions.

Quieter than symmetric tyres.

Disadvantages:

More expensive than symmetric tyres and with a slightly shorter service life due to the use of soft rubber in the tyre structure.

Care needs to be taken to fit them the right way round with the word “outside” on the tyre’s outer sidewall.

The verdict: Perfect for enjoying a safe drive in your hatchback, saloon or sports car on all types of journey.

Symmetrical type

As the name suggests, symmetrical tyres have the same tread pattern on both sides of the tyre. They are the most common type 

of tyre on compact and city cars and are mainly available in smaller sizes (13, 14 or 15 inches).

Advantages:

Good value for money, cheaper to buy than asymmetric or directional tyres and last longer.

Good straight line stability, good handling and a comfortable ride.

Easy to fit: can be fitted either way round, and can be rotated without any risk of error.

Disadvantages:

Not as technically sophisticated as asymmetric or directional tyres.

In particular, not as good as the other tread patterns in wet conditions.

Not designed for high performance or sports cars.

The verdict: ideal if you’re looking for an affordable tyre with overall performance.

Directional Types

Directional tyres have a characteristic arrow-patterned tread designed to quickly drain large amounts of water at high speed.

This tread pattern is mainly used for latest generation winter tyres as it offers excellent traction in snow.

Advantages:

Tyres rapidly disperse water on very wet roads, significantly reducing the risk of aquaplaning.    

On winter tyres, this tread pattern gives more traction on all types of snow and slush. 

Disadvantages:

Higher cost and shorter life due to the use of soft rubber in the tyre structure.

Slightly louder rolling noise, particularly towards the end of the tyre’s life.

When fitting these tyres it’s important to follow the direction of rotation indicated by an arrow on the sidewall. These tyres are designed to work in only one direction of rotation.

The verdict: Originally designed for sports cars, directional tyres are now used to tackle winter weather conditions.

Having trouble finding your perfect next car in New Zealand?

Flywheels is here to help! We have made the process of purchasing a car from Japan incredibly easy for the customer. Flywheels has inspection agents in Japan, where we purchase vehicles directly from auction. These high quality cars are made available to our New Zealand market through our website, www.flywheels.co.nz. You can personally browse all available options in the comfort of your own home, or you can visit us in-store where one of our friendly staff can guide you in the right direction.

Each vehicle has been thoroughly inspected by specialist mechanics so you can purchase with confidence.

The great part about purchasing your car with Flywheels is that we guarantee quality of  your new car!

After you have selected your car and the 20% deposit has been made, we order the car from Japan. Before being shipped to New Zealand, your car goes to the delear at japan for Flywheels where it will be thoroughly inspected, and any small improvements being made where necessary. Your car will then start shipping to Wellington, New Zealand - a process that takes on average 8 weeks. Over those 8 weeks We will be sending you updates on the location of your car throughout the process.

Call us for your next car with Flywheels, or visit our website to browse our selection in New Zealand : www.flywheels.co.nz

Flywheels has achieved 5 star rating from customer reviews!

Flywheels  entered the New Zealand used car market in 2016 after analysing the industry and finding that Kiwi's were ready for a fresh and improved experience in their search for a new vehicle. 

Since then, we have strived to provide New Zealand car buyers with excellent used cars for sale and customer service. We brought our Japanese values of trust, transparency and quality to the New Zealand market, through the availability of thorough car inspection reports before purchase, We believe this demonstrates our utmost confidence in our vehicles, and a risk-free car purchase for the Kiwi buyer.

We have been overwhelmed with the positive response from customers, and have now received 5 star reviews on our Facebook and Google review platforms!

We would like to thank all of our customers over the past few years for choosing to do business with us. We will continue to innovate and provide a superior car purchasing experience to the New Zealand public.

Check out this review from one of our recent customers: 

https://www.facebook.com/pg/FlywheelsNZLtd/reviews/

The popularity of imported used cars for sale in New Zealand has been on the rise dramatically, with 32,800 imported cars arriving in March of 2017 alone. Used cars make up a huge proportion of these imports. In May 2017, 19,579 used cars were imported into NZ – remarkably, 94.2% of these were imported from one country: Japan.

The Land of the Rising Sun has long been renowned for manufacturing reliable and long-lasting cars, so it’s no surprise to see their worldwide popularity. Of the 10 most popular cars in NZ in 2016, seven are Japanese – Toyota Hilux, Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, mazda, and Suzuki Swift – with three coming from just japan company.

Here’s our look at the 5 most popular Japanese imports from 2016.

The fact that there are three Toyota vehicles on this list should be no surprise. Toyota is the third largest car manufacturer in the world and the Toyota Corolla has been the world’s most popular car since the 1990s.

The Toyota Hilux is a rugged off-road vehicle, popular with tradies, 4WD fanatics, and families that are ready for weekend adventures. The Hilux comes as a single-cab ute, a 4-seater double cab version, and a very roomy double cab model. This flexibility is a big part of why the Hilux has remained so popular for so long.

As noted above, the Corolla is the world’s most popular car, so it’s little wonder it was such a popular import in NZ in 2016. Toyota is known for reliability, fuel efficiency, and practicality. The Corolla embodies these qualities perfectly, which is why it has remained popular ever since the 90s.

While the RAV4 may not match the prestige of luxury SUVs, it has remained popular since its release for a lot of good reasons. RAV4s last for years, making them a great investment. They offer unbeatable safety features, impressive storage for a smaller SUV, and a very impressive range of features for their relatively low cost.

The Mitsubishi Triton is a pretty remarkable car, offering amazing value for money. When it comes to price, fuel efficiency, off-road capability, cabin features, gadgets, and practical accessories, the Triton delivers more results for less money than other vehicles in its class.

Nissan Navara

Like the Mitsubishi Triton, the Nissan Navara is another car that offers more for less. The Triton combines a tough working pedigree, premium ride comfort, smart technologies, amazing fuel efficiency, and sleek, modern styling to rival its luxurious European competitors.

Have you set your heart on a dream used cars for sale only to realise that it’s unavailable in New Zealand? Luckily, privately importing new or used cars into NZ is completely legal, but less luckily, it’s quite a complex process.

To help you smoothly navigate the process and secure your import, you’re going to need an import specialist.

The process of importing your new ride into NZ can be lengthy and complicated. You’ll need to ensure that your vehicle meets a range of standards and criteria, and provide supporting evidence. It’s important that this is done before the vehicle is shipped – otherwise, you might end up with a car in the docks that you can’t collect, and shipping companies don’t give refunds for bad planning on your part.

Before importing a car, you’ll need to provide evidence of the following:

• That the car met the required safety emissions and frontal impact standards when manufactured
• That it was recently inspected and found to be in good working order
• That the vehicle currently meets safety and emissions requirements
• Whether or not the car requires repairs to meet the standards
• Who legally owns the vehicle
• The vehicle's identity and that it has a valid vehicle identification number (VIN) assigned and affixed

There are a range of qualities you should look for when choosing a company to be your import specialist.

They should be able to act as an entry certifier – providing the evidence above as well as taking care of the logistics of the import.

Here is a quick checklist of features you should look for in an import specialist for new or used cars:

• Experience is the most important – choose a company that knows the ins and outs of importing cars. A great local car company will be no good if they don’t have experience with the import process.
• Professionalism in all dealing with customers, officials, and foreign stakeholders
• Skills and knowledge relating to the complexities of international trade
• A proven reputation for delivering cost-effective air or sea freight transport and passing those savings onto customers
• Ability to deal with a wide range of logistical needs, from any location to any destination in NZ
• An established network of global partners
• A reputation for year-round, on-time, and undamaged, delivery of cars

Whether you already have your first car or you are planning to buy a used cars for sale you’ll want to get your license as soon as possible. We’ve put together this simple, straightforward guide to help you get your license quickly and avoid common missteps.

Technically, step one in getting your license is turning 16, but that won’t take any actual effort on your part.

Once that’s out of the way, you’ll need to study up and learn the road code so you can successfully take the learner license test. There are many easily accessible resources to help you learn the code, the most accessible of which are test on the NZ government website.

Now you need to book in with a vehicle licensing agent to actually take the test. Before you do so, you’ll need to organise a few things:

• A New Zealand passport or two other forms of acceptable identification
• A medical certificate, if required – you need to declare certain illnesses to get your license
• Fill out the learner license application form

Bring all those things along to the licensing agent. They'll take a screen capture of your signature and a photo for your license, as well as testing your eyesight. Then you'll be ready to sit the test. You'll need to answer 35 questions from a pool of 200 possible questions. You must get 32 correct to pass the test. Assuming you pass the test, you'll be given a temporary learner's permit you can use while you wait for your proper license to arrive.

Once you have your learner’s permit, you can start driving with supervision. Get as much driving practice in as you can – nothing beats experience – and find a reliable driving instructor to get you ready for your restricted license test. You can undertake simulated driving tests as well, and taking a defensive driving course is a great way to give yourself the best chance of being successful.

Once you've had your learner's for six months, you are 16.5 years old, and, most importantly, you're feeling confident in your skills, it's time to move to your restricted license.

You’ll need all your identification again, plus another eye test and photo. The test itself takes an hour and is split into two stages. You need to pass the seven tasks in Stage 1 to move onto Stage 2’s 18 more difficult challenges. Around 40% of people fail this test on the first go and nerves are often the culprit. When you get nervous you can make silly mistakes, and with only two critical errors allowed and a range of errors that mean an instant fail, silly mistakes are bad news.

Do whatever works for you to relax before the test and try to treat it like just another lesson. Once you’re finished, your instructor will tell you whether you have passed or not and also explain any errors you made.

Getting your full license is similar to getting your restricted permit. But while driving and carrying out tasks, you’ll need to verbally name and respond properly to any and all hazards. In the lead up to your test, practice driving and naming hazards with a friend who can let you know if you’re missing anything. For the test itself, stay calm and alert and make sure you get a full night’s rest the evening before.

Generally, you need to be 18.5 years old and have held your restricted license for 18 months (or 6 months if you're 25 or older) but you can actually cut this down. If you take a certified defensive driving course, you can sit your full license test after just a year, or just three months if you’re 25+.

Consider a quality imported second-hand car from Flywheels. We specialise in Japanese imports like Nissan, Honda, Mazda and Toyota and we do all the legwork to ensure that your vehicle is safe, attractive and in great working condition. Need more information? contact us.

The trick to buying a used cars for sale is making sure you carry out a thorough inspection. That way, you know exactly what you're getting – not just what the seller wants you to believe you're getting. Whether you hire an expert to inspect the car, you do it yourself, or you bring along a mechanically minded friend, here's how you should carry out an inspection to put your mind at ease.

Any used car for sale needs to have a valid warrant of sale that’s less than one month old. Unless you want to take the huge risk of buying the car ‘as is’ and hoping it’s up to standard, you need to ensure this paperwork is in order.

Ideally, you want a vehicle without any rust, but some older vehicles will naturally have rusted a little bit. Look for rust on the main structural supports, weight-bearing parts, steering wheel mountings, under carpets, the boot liner, in the spare tyre area, and inside the petrol cap door.

Stand at each corner of the car and push it up and down rhythmically – if you can’t get it moving, the shocks need replacing. Likewise, if the car keeps rocking on after you stop, the shocks are worn.

Check that all tyres, including the spare, have adequate tread (1.5 mm at the very least) and aren’t worn unevenly.

To check the panels, open and shut all doors, the bonnet, and the boot to see that they align properly. Check that the windows open and shut easily and that they will maintain a half-open position.

Give the muffler and exhaust system a visual inspection, checking for soft or brittle areas, or areas where putty has been used for repairs. You can also check for leaks by covering the exhaust pipe with your hand – using a protective rag – and starting the engine. If the pressure doesn’t push your hand away, there’s a problem.

Inside the car, ensure that the following is working:

• Dashboard knobs and switches
• With a friend outside the car, check the lights all work
• Test wipers, radio, and the lever for opening the boot, bonnet, and fuel cap door
• Is the driver’s seat is comfortable and easy to adjust? Are the other seats all secured properly?
• Test that safety belts are in place, functional, and not frayed.

Pop the hood and check the engine:

• Is there any frayed or burnt wiring?
• Are there oil streaks or poorly attached or damaged hoses?
• Are there petrol leaks around the carburettor and fuel lines?
• Are there oil leaks or other drips under the car?

Next, start the engine and remove the oil filler cap. If a lot of gas comes out, especially blue smoke-tinged gas, the engine is worn. Another sign of this is continuous blue smoke from the exhaust after a few minutes of running.

Check the radiator for leaks, rust, or water stains – also check the radiator hose and where the cylinder meets the engine block. Check the water as well – any oil in the water indicates a major problem.  

The test drive is the most important part of the car inspection. Check the car is insured before heading out! Turn the key to check that all indicator lights work properly, and then start the car, ensuring that:

• The starter motor turns over quickly and the motor 'catches' quickly
• There are no odd noises like backfires or a rattling exhaust
• The oil pressure light goes off after the car has been running for a few seconds
• There's no blue smoke coming from the exhaust

Once you’re driving, listen for:

• Clanging or clunking noises
• Tapping or knocking noises
• Grinding or whining when gears change
• Squealing when you brake

All these sounds can indicate problems that will need remedying. If you haven’t heard anything it’s time for a few tests:

• The smell test: you shouldn’t smell burning oil or petrol fumes
• The acceleration test: does the engine pull smoothly? Does it power down smoothly?
• Brake tests: get the car to around 30 km/h in a deserted spot, and then press the brakes down firmly (don’t slam them). The car should stop quickly and in a straight line.
• Gear tests: do the gears change easily, smoothly, and quietly?

Once the car is stopped, open the bonnet and check for smoke and oil or water leaks.

If you’re looking at buying an imported vehicle, start by talking to the experts. Flywheels can ensure your Japanese import is of the highest quality. Every car we offer is subjected to rigorous testing, grooming and painting before it hits our lot, meaning we do the hard work for you. Even better, our process ensures you get a quality car for less.

Finance?

bad credit car finance

bad credit beneficiary car loans nz 

beneficiary car finance nz

second chance car finance nz

car finance bad credit

flywheels

no deposit car finance

flywheel

cof palmerston north

flywheels nz

Despite being culturally and geographically distant from Germany – where the automobile was first invented by Karl Benz in the late 1880s – Japan was a relative early comer to used cars for sale .

Back in 1898, a Panhard-Levassor car was brought to Japan by a French trader and that created quite a stir. In less than a decade, local inventors had become inspired and were creating the first Japanese cars.

There are two contenders for the first automobile built in Japan and both of them were small buses. There’s the Yamaba Omnibus, a ten-seater steam-powered vehicle that was designed by Torao Yamaba in 1904. The other contender for the first automobile in Japan is the Yoshida Omnibus, which was created around the same time as Yamaba’s vehicle.

Apart from these early attempts, the first actual car designed and built in Japan didn’t come until 1907, when Komanosuke Uchiyama produced his Takuri car.

Shortly after that, Japanese automobile companies began to pop up. In 1910, The Kunisue Automobile Works was built and the following year they manufactured the Tokyo in cooperation with Tokyo Motor Vehicles Ltd. 1911 saw the establishment of Kaishinsha Motorcar Works and they began manufacturing a car called the DAT.

The decades leading up to the Second World War saw steady development in Japan’s automotive industry. In 1920, Jitsuyo Jidosha Seizo Company began building the Gorham and later the Lila. In 1926, the company merged with Kaishinsha and became the DAT Automobile Manufacturing Company, which would later become Nissan Motors.

A textiles company with the familiar name of Toyota first tried their hand at cars in 1936. By that time, the war was on the horizon and they built mostly trucks for the military. Isuzu, Yanmar, and Daihatsu came into operation during this period too, but their initial focus was on diesel engine design, not building cars.

During WWII, Japan’s automotive industry was mostly focused on the war effort, with Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu and Kurogane building trucks and motorcycles for the Imperial Japanese Army.

After the war, production slumped. With the pressure of rebuilding a defeated nation, automotive manufacturing was not a priority and cars for export were close to non-existent. But in the 1960s, everything changed.

The catalyst was the Subaru 360, affectionately nicknamed the Lady Beetle. This tiny car, though actually manufactured in 1958, started a new trend in Japanese car manufacturing:  Kei cars, which translates roughly to ‘light vehicles’.

Inspired by the Subaru 360, Japanese automakers began introducing more and more kei cars. Suddenly, average Japanese workers could afford their own car. This dramatically and rapidly boosted sales, kick-starting Japan’s car industry and setting it on the path towards the market domination we see today.

Kei cars were too small to be family cars and so their success was limited. But in their wake came a slew of affordable family cars, such as the Toyota Publica, Mitsubishi Colt 800, and the Mazda Familia. These vehicles generally had 700-800cc two-stroke engines, except for the Nissan Sunny, which emerged in 1966 with a full 1-litre four stroke engine. All the other car manufacturers had to rush to catch up, expect for Toyota, who delivered a 1.1-litre engine in their original Corolla.

Alongside this success at home, Japanese car manufacturers began exporting at much higher levels. The export of Japanese passenger cars increased about 200-fold during the 60s, rising to almost 20% of production. In the 1970s, the Arab Oil Embargo and the exchange rate of the yen combined to encourage even more exports. Japanese vehicles began to become popular in the USA, Britain, and throughout Europe.

By the 1990s, Japanese manufacturers were quickly catching up to big names like Ford and GM. Japan’s reliable, affordable, and stylish cars became popular around the world and in 2000, Japan officially became the world’s largest car producer. Toyota, in particular, has become a giant – they are consistently in the top 3 manufacturers worldwide, and the Toyota Corolla has been the world’s favourite car since the 1990s.

Despite being culturally and geographically distant from Germany – where the automobile was first invented by Karl Benz in the late 1880s – Japan was a relative early comer to used cars for sale .

Back in 1898, a Panhard-Levassor car was brought to Japan by a French trader and that created quite a stir. In less than a decade, local inventors had become inspired and were creating the first Japanese cars.

There are two contenders for the first automobile built in Japan and both of them were small buses. There’s the Yamaba Omnibus, a ten-seater steam-powered vehicle that was designed by Torao Yamaba in 1904. The other contender for the first automobile in Japan is the Yoshida Omnibus, which was created around the same time as Yamaba’s vehicle.

Apart from these early attempts, the first actual car designed and built in Japan didn’t come until 1907, when Komanosuke Uchiyama produced his Takuri car.

Shortly after that, Japanese automobile companies began to pop up. In 1910, The Kunisue Automobile Works was built and the following year they manufactured the Tokyo in cooperation with Tokyo Motor Vehicles Ltd. 1911 saw the establishment of Kaishinsha Motorcar Works and they began manufacturing a car called the DAT.

The decades leading up to the Second World War saw steady development in Japan’s automotive industry. In 1920, Jitsuyo Jidosha Seizo Company began building the Gorham and later the Lila. In 1926, the company merged with Kaishinsha and became the DAT Automobile Manufacturing Company, which would later become Nissan Motors.

A textiles company with the familiar name of Toyota first tried their hand at cars in 1936. By that time, the war was on the horizon and they built mostly trucks for the military. Isuzu, Yanmar, and Daihatsu came into operation during this period too, but their initial focus was on diesel engine design, not building cars.

During WWII, Japan’s automotive industry was mostly focused on the war effort, with Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu and Kurogane building trucks and motorcycles for the Imperial Japanese Army.

After the war, production slumped. With the pressure of rebuilding a defeated nation, automotive manufacturing was not a priority and cars for export were close to non-existent. But in the 1960s, everything changed.

The catalyst was the Subaru 360, affectionately nicknamed the Lady Beetle. This tiny car, though actually manufactured in 1958, started a new trend in Japanese car manufacturing:  Kei cars, which translates roughly to ‘light vehicles’.

Inspired by the Subaru 360, Japanese automakers began introducing more and more kei cars. Suddenly, average Japanese workers could afford their own car. This dramatically and rapidly boosted sales, kick-starting Japan’s car industry and setting it on the path towards the market domination we see today.

Kei cars were too small to be family cars and so their success was limited. But in their wake came a slew of affordable family cars, such as the Toyota Publica, Mitsubishi Colt 800, and the Mazda Familia. These vehicles generally had 700-800cc two-stroke engines, except for the Nissan Sunny, which emerged in 1966 with a full 1-litre four stroke engine. All the other car manufacturers had to rush to catch up, expect for Toyota, who delivered a 1.1-litre engine in their original Corolla.

Alongside this success at home, Japanese car manufacturers began exporting at much higher levels. The export of Japanese passenger cars increased about 200-fold during the 60s, rising to almost 20% of production. In the 1970s, the Arab Oil Embargo and the exchange rate of the yen combined to encourage even more exports. Japanese vehicles began to become popular in the USA, Britain, and throughout Europe.

By the 1990s, Japanese manufacturers were quickly catching up to big names like Ford and GM. Japan’s reliable, affordable, and stylish cars became popular around the world and in 2000, Japan officially became the world’s largest car producer. Toyota, in particular, has become a giant – they are consistently in the top 3 manufacturers worldwide, and the Toyota Corolla has been the world’s favourite car since the 1990s.

Despite being culturally and geographically distant from Germany – where the automobile was first invented by Karl Benz in the late 1880s – Japan was a relative early comer to used cars for sale .

Back in 1898, a Panhard-Levassor car was brought to Japan by a French trader and that created quite a stir. In less than a decade, local inventors had become inspired and were creating the first Japanese cars.

There are two contenders for the first automobile built in Japan and both of them were small buses. There’s the Yamaba Omnibus, a ten-seater steam-powered vehicle that was designed by Torao Yamaba in 1904. The other contender for the first automobile in Japan is the Yoshida Omnibus, which was created around the same time as Yamaba’s vehicle.

Apart from these early attempts, the first actual car designed and built in Japan didn’t come until 1907, when Komanosuke Uchiyama produced his Takuri car.

Shortly after that, Japanese automobile companies began to pop up. In 1910, The Kunisue Automobile Works was built and the following year they manufactured the Tokyo in cooperation with Tokyo Motor Vehicles Ltd. 1911 saw the establishment of Kaishinsha Motorcar Works and they began manufacturing a car called the DAT.

The decades leading up to the Second World War saw steady development in Japan’s automotive industry. In 1920, Jitsuyo Jidosha Seizo Company began building the Gorham and later the Lila. In 1926, the company merged with Kaishinsha and became the DAT Automobile Manufacturing Company, which would later become Nissan Motors.

A textiles company with the familiar name of Toyota first tried their hand at cars in 1936. By that time, the war was on the horizon and they built mostly trucks for the military. Isuzu, Yanmar, and Daihatsu came into operation during this period too, but their initial focus was on diesel engine design, not building cars.

During WWII, Japan’s automotive industry was mostly focused on the war effort, with Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu and Kurogane building trucks and motorcycles for the Imperial Japanese Army.

After the war, production slumped. With the pressure of rebuilding a defeated nation, automotive manufacturing was not a priority and cars for export were close to non-existent. But in the 1960s, everything changed.

The catalyst was the Subaru 360, affectionately nicknamed the Lady Beetle. This tiny car, though actually manufactured in 1958, started a new trend in Japanese car manufacturing:  Kei cars, which translates roughly to ‘light vehicles’.

Inspired by the Subaru 360, Japanese automakers began introducing more and more kei cars. Suddenly, average Japanese workers could afford their own car. This dramatically and rapidly boosted sales, kick-starting Japan’s car industry and setting it on the path towards the market domination we see today.

Kei cars were too small to be family cars and so their success was limited. But in their wake came a slew of affordable family cars, such as the Toyota Publica, Mitsubishi Colt 800, and the Mazda Familia. These vehicles generally had 700-800cc two-stroke engines, except for the Nissan Sunny, which emerged in 1966 with a full 1-litre four stroke engine. All the other car manufacturers had to rush to catch up, expect for Toyota, who delivered a 1.1-litre engine in their original Corolla.

Alongside this success at home, Japanese car manufacturers began exporting at much higher levels. The export of Japanese passenger cars increased about 200-fold during the 60s, rising to almost 20% of production. In the 1970s, the Arab Oil Embargo and the exchange rate of the yen combined to encourage even more exports. Japanese vehicles began to become popular in the USA, Britain, and throughout Europe.

By the 1990s, Japanese manufacturers were quickly catching up to big names like Ford and GM. Japan’s reliable, affordable, and stylish cars became popular around the world and in 2000, Japan officially became the world’s largest car producer. Toyota, in particular, has become a giant – they are consistently in the top 3 manufacturers worldwide, and the Toyota Corolla has been the world’s favourite car since the 1990s.

Despite being culturally and geographically distant from Germany – where the automobile was first invented by Karl Benz in the late 1880s – Japan was a relative early comer to used cars for sale .

Back in 1898, a Panhard-Levassor car was brought to Japan by a French trader and that created quite a stir. In less than a decade, local inventors had become inspired and were creating the first Japanese cars.

There are two contenders for the first automobile built in Japan and both of them were small buses. There’s the Yamaba Omnibus, a ten-seater steam-powered vehicle that was designed by Torao Yamaba in 1904. The other contender for the first automobile in Japan is the Yoshida Omnibus, which was created around the same time as Yamaba’s vehicle.

Apart from these early attempts, the first actual car designed and built in Japan didn’t come until 1907, when Komanosuke Uchiyama produced his Takuri car.

Shortly after that, Japanese automobile companies began to pop up. In 1910, The Kunisue Automobile Works was built and the following year they manufactured the Tokyo in cooperation with Tokyo Motor Vehicles Ltd. 1911 saw the establishment of Kaishinsha Motorcar Works and they began manufacturing a car called the DAT.

The decades leading up to the Second World War saw steady development in Japan’s automotive industry. In 1920, Jitsuyo Jidosha Seizo Company began building the Gorham and later the Lila. In 1926, the company merged with Kaishinsha and became the DAT Automobile Manufacturing Company, which would later become Nissan Motors.

A textiles company with the familiar name of Toyota first tried their hand at cars in 1936. By that time, the war was on the horizon and they built mostly trucks for the military. Isuzu, Yanmar, and Daihatsu came into operation during this period too, but their initial focus was on diesel engine design, not building cars.

During WWII, Japan’s automotive industry was mostly focused on the war effort, with Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu and Kurogane building trucks and motorcycles for the Imperial Japanese Army.

After the war, production slumped. With the pressure of rebuilding a defeated nation, automotive manufacturing was not a priority and cars for export were close to non-existent. But in the 1960s, everything changed.

The catalyst was the Subaru 360, affectionately nicknamed the Lady Beetle. This tiny car, though actually manufactured in 1958, started a new trend in Japanese car manufacturing:  Kei cars, which translates roughly to ‘light vehicles’.

Inspired by the Subaru 360, Japanese automakers began introducing more and more kei cars. Suddenly, average Japanese workers could afford their own car. This dramatically and rapidly boosted sales, kick-starting Japan’s car industry and setting it on the path towards the market domination we see today.

Kei cars were too small to be family cars and so their success was limited. But in their wake came a slew of affordable family cars, such as the Toyota Publica, Mitsubishi Colt 800, and the Mazda Familia. These vehicles generally had 700-800cc two-stroke engines, except for the Nissan Sunny, which emerged in 1966 with a full 1-litre four stroke engine. All the other car manufacturers had to rush to catch up, expect for Toyota, who delivered a 1.1-litre engine in their original Corolla.

Alongside this success at home, Japanese car manufacturers began exporting at much higher levels. The export of Japanese passenger cars increased about 200-fold during the 60s, rising to almost 20% of production. In the 1970s, the Arab Oil Embargo and the exchange rate of the yen combined to encourage even more exports. Japanese vehicles began to become popular in the USA, Britain, and throughout Europe.

By the 1990s, Japanese manufacturers were quickly catching up to big names like Ford and GM. Japan’s reliable, affordable, and stylish cars became popular around the world and in 2000, Japan officially became the world’s largest car producer. Toyota, in particular, has become a giant – they are consistently in the top 3 manufacturers worldwide, and the Toyota Corolla has been the world’s favourite car since the 1990s.