The Toyota Estima Lucida or Emina is as most people know a very reliable vehicle this is of course reliant on several factors.
1. Mileage, and being sure of its authenticity.
2. Complete and thorough preparation and previous maintenance are the most important factors that should be considered in the mechanical buying process.
When you are looking for an Estima the most important aspect to cover fully is your research. Check out dealers. You are looking to spend a lot of money, and you are looking for someone you can trust with transparency and integrity. Ask other owners for opinions on dealers they purchased from, ask if anyone has had problems with dealers that you are looking to use. You can even contact your local trading standards to see if they have any previous problems with a particular dealer. Check out the recommendations section on the Toyota Estima owners club
Paperwork
When you have found the dealer you think is right, the vehicle then needs to be scrutinised fully or even consider having a paid inspection. It’s worth spending a few pounds now. Ask the dealer for all of the Japanese paperwork one of the things that is in English is the mileage.!!
Check coolant.
It must be clear in whatever colour the coolant is blue, red or green. You must be able to see-through the coolant without floating particles or sediment.
Road Test.
You need to carry out a road test on a dual carriageway or motorway at 70 mph for at least 20 miles and then open the bonnet and check for coolant coming from expansion bottle or the overflow pipe. If the dealer is not happy for this sort of road test then steer clear . !!
Above all remember that cylinder head problems are related to high mileage (or inconclusive mileage) low maintenance or poorly prepared or looked after vehicles. If you steer clear of these you will have years of trouble free motoring I see far more Estimas for servicing and general maintenance than for heads so it might well mean paying a little bit more in the beginning but will pay dividends in the end.
Bob Murphy is considered by many as the foremost Toyota Estima specialist in the South East. Many of these owners and enthusiasts can be found at the Toyota Estima owners club.
IMPORT DOCUMENTATION
So you have found you’re nicely clean, polished Estima. Do not yet be seduced, that is the easy part as many imported Japanese cars have very good bodywork because of the climate in Japan and the fact that no salt is used on the roads and 40% less in average annual mileage. Anyone can get a car to look good but does the car have any transparency or integrity, let’s find out!!!
Earlier in this buying guide, it was recommended that you check and ask for all the available documentation that is afforded to 98% of the imported vehicles from Japan. (The other 2% leave well alone, they haven’t gone to the heavily regulated auction houses for a reason)
Each vehicle will have three vital pieces of documentation upon import, a further one when it is registered, and then of course culminating with the issue of the V5 logbook about 10 days after registration.
1 The auction inspection report from Japan (the most important to confirm grade, mileage and age)
Please see explanation picture.
2 The Japanese deregistration document also known as the export certificate.
See Example
(In Japanese I’m afraid) This document stays with DVLA upon registration
3 The official English translation of this document is issued at the same time as the Japanese version. This stays with the importer/dealer/owner upon registration for good, to stay with the car.
See Example
This document confirms it has been deregistered correctly in Japan ready for export and it also shows the month and year of registration in Japan which then dictates the registration year issued in the UK. It also shows the last keeper in Japan (It is rare to have more than 2-3 keepers for the car life in Japan). They are also beginning to put the last recorded odometer reading on this document, very helpful.
Please note it has been known for unscrupulous dealers to alter the Japanese deregistration document to show the car as newer than it actually is, of course this appears to add value to the car. 1993 models have been seen masquerading as 1995 and 96 models!!!! It may not be common but it does happen. It is best practice to tie the date up with the original auction inspection report as well.
4 Upon completion of registration with DVLA a stamped certificate is issued for the registration mark in this country. (This should come with the car)
All reputable dealers using best practice will have these reports available and on display, however very very few offer them, so please do not be afraid to ask for them it’s what dictates the value of the car you are considering buying.
Finally if all else fails and there is no paperwork on offer and you really like the Estima, then you can run what’s known as a Bimta check this is the British industry motor trade association which promotes best practice for all involved in the motor trade.
www.Bimta.org
It is currently £35 + vat for a certificate of authenticity this means they will confirm the last known odometer reading at the Auction house (hopefully it matches) where the car was sold, and that they guarantee the vehicle is not a stolen one, here or in Japan. It does not however as mentioned confirm or not that the mileage reading was one that was left unverified at the auction house itself, it merely confirms the reading in Japan at point of sale that was recorded from the odometer of the vehicle concerned, so no absolute guarantee. It also does not confirm the age of the vehicle. Finally unlike the auction report it will not confirm which grade it received at auction in Japan so you cannot discount the fact that it might be an accident repair grade.
In truth the very best way is with the auction report and the deregistration documents to confirm the key areas of integrity of the car.
Please check the tyres, some cars have snow or non speed rated tyres left on. These tyres will pass an MOT if they have a deep enough tread but will not pass an SVA but are regularly left on the imported cars by people selling them.. These tyres are not safe for normal driving conditions and should be changed. It has also been known for insurance companies not to pay out if these tyres are found on your car after an accident.
If buying one that is not a fresh import please check the V5 logbook to confirm it is registered as a PLG vehicle not an ambulance, hearse, motor caravan or an invalid carriage these were all registered this way to avoid the SVA and make the cars cheaper for the dealer thus more profit. This also has ramifications for insurance claims, if you crash your PLG and your insurance company find out it’s a motor caravan!!!! These loop holes have now pretty much been closed by VOSA now but second and third users could end up with these incorrectly registered cars.
Now you have all the info you need for a successful purchase.
Regards