Mazda Bongo

The following useful information has been extracted from the very informative site www.allansvehicleservices.co.uk
With limited space for road vehicles and strict regulations, there is virtually no domestic used car market in Japan, and a rapid depreciation in car prices. Intense competition between manufacturers means that models are constantly upgraded or re-designed, and many extras fitted as standard, which would usually add thousands to the price of a UK car.
Japan, as any visitor will confirm, has a huge congestion problem. With a 60mph speed limit and the best public transport system in the world, their cars have approx 50% less on the clock than equivalent UK vehicles. They don't use salt on their roads, (preferring to rely on 'winter tyres'), so there is less or no rust. The Japanese culture prefers 'new' to used and leather interiors are rare, due to Buddhist influences. Alarms are unusual and car-crime is low.
The Japanese can't purchase a vehicle unless they can prove they have sufficient, regulated parking space for it. There is rarely more than 1 carefully maintained vehicle per family. Tough regulations and attractive new model deals make it economically desirable to get rid of a used car quickly. When they buy a new car from a dealer, they are given a 3 year 'stay'. When this comes to an end, they have to pay almost 50% of the car's worth to extend that 'stay' for a further 3 years.
Japan has a strict car registration system called 'Shaken'. It consists of a series of safety and emissions inspections combined with compulsory insurance, weight and vehicle tax. New cars come with 3 years 'Shaken'. After this has expired the 'Shaken' must be renewed every 2 years throughout the ownership of the vehicle. The cost of renewing the 'Shaken' is relatively high as their governments policy is to reduce car ownership, due to the limited space available and pollution concerns. Therefore the Japanese generally sell or part-exchange their car as a period of 'Shaken' expires.
Bongos are sold at huge dockside auctions in Japan, and many are then exported to the UK, New Zealand and Russia. On arrival in the UK, unless they are converted into campervans (as defined by the Dept of Transport), or unless they are over 10 years old, they have to pass something called the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test. This means that the vehicle has to pass EU and UK vehicle safety and environmental criteria.