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Why Choose a Japanese sourced car from Kylemore Cars?
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Buying a car is a significant investment, so it’s important that you research and enjoy the experience. More and more, we see our customers being increasingly informed before we welcome them to our state-of-art showroom and see them drive away happily in their new car.
In recent years, Irish drivers have shifted their buying focus from the UK to Japan sourced cars for one simple reason: unbeatable quality. At Kylemore Cars, we rigorously inspect hand-pick the finest vehicles from Japan to ensure our customers enjoy a premium driving experience without the premium price tag. Here is why a Japanese sourced car is the smartest move you’ll make for your next significant purchase for your next vehicle.
Unlike the UK or Ireland, Japan does not use grit salt on its roads during winter. Salt is the primary cause of chassis corrosion and “underbody rust” in older Irish and UK-sourced cars.
Japan has an incredible public transport infrastructure. Many car owners in cities like Tokyo or Osaka use their vehicles only for weekend trips or short commutes.
The Japanese “Shaken” (roadworthiness inspection) is one of the strictest in the world. It is significantly more rigorous than the NCT, making it expensive for the Japanese motorist to keep older cars on the road in Japan.
Features that are considered “optional extras” in Europe - such as advanced parking cameras, adaptive cruise control, and hybrid efficiency—are often standard in European and Japanese models sourced from Japan.
We understand that buying a used car can feel like a leap of faith. That is why Kylemore Cars has built a process designed to give you total peace of mind.
We work with a large reputable partner with a significant on-site presence in each of the mainstream auction houses throughout Japan. This allows us to target and select based on highest quality based on reliable vehicle details and condition descriptions.
Before any car reaches our forecourt, it undergoes a rigorous multi-point inspection by our buyers and, again, in our dedicated service centre when the car arrives to Ireland. Each car is then serviced and valeted to a showroom condition. This is a key competitive advantage.
A common concern with imports is the lack of factory-fitted immobilisers. At Kylemore Cars, we ensure any vehicle requiring an anti-theft system is supplied and fitted with a high-quality alarm or immobiliser before you drive away.
We handle the “nitty-gritty”—from converting radio frequencies and infotainment settings to ensuring the car is fully registered and ready for Irish roads.
We don’t just sell you a car; stand by it. Our Japanese sourced cars come with a competitive warranty, backed by our dedicated in-house after-sales team and partnership with industry leading warranty provider, Car Simple.
| Feature | UK Import (Post-Brexit) | Japanese Import |
|---|---|---|
| Rust Risk | High (Salted Roads) | Very Low (Salt-Free Roads) |
| VAT/Duty | Complex & Expensive | Streamlined & Cost Effective |
| Condition | Variable (High Motorway Kms) | Exceptional (City/Weekend Use) |
| Tech Spec | Standard European Spec | High-End Tech Hybrid Focus |
Don’t let where a car is sourced from, or an “import” label, deter you. Today, brands like Toyota, Volkswagen, and Audi are global.
The parts are the same, the mechanics are the same, but the value you get from a Japanese-sourced vehicle at Kylemore Cars is on a different level.
In many cases, Japanese sourced cars arrive with their infotainment systems in Japanese. This is easily changed by us with a bit of industry know-how.
The Kylemore Solution: At Kylemore Cars, we can assist with in-house navigation unit conversions, or upgrades to modern Android/Apple CarPlay systems for most models. This ensures you have English menus, Irish FM radio frequencies, and up-to-date maps.
Simply, no. While some mainstream insurers have in the past been restrictive, the Japanese sourced cars market in Ireland is now so large (over 20,000 cars a year) and normal, that insurers are more familiar and able to cater for your insurance needs and many specialist brokers now cater specifically to them.
The Reality: Companies like GMIB.ie, AbbeyAutoline, and Chill Insurance have dedicated “Import” teams. Because our cars are high-spec and often have better safety features than Irish equivalents, getting a competitive quote is straightforward once you know which brokers to call.
Simply, no. This is a historic issue that is now thankfully, a common myth. Most Japanese sourced cars imports we sell - such as the Toyota Aqua, Nissan Note Leaf, Honda Fit, Honda Vezel or VW Polo—share the same engines, chassis, and brake components as the equivalent models sold originally in Ireland.
The Reality: For body-specific parts, Ireland has a robust network of specialist suppliers like Somora and Japanparts. Furthermore, we own Kylemore Motor Centre provides full aftersales support, servicing, and repairs, working closing with our own parts suppliers, so you are never left stuck.
Theft prevention is a priority for us. If a specific Japanese model was manufactured without a factory-fitted immobiliser, we can arrange for a high-quality, insurance-approved alarm or immobiliser to be fitted before you take delivery. Nowadays, this a rare step that we need to take as the vast majority of all cars sourced from Japan come with immobilisers.
When you buy from Kylemore Cars, the price you see is the price you pay.
The Reality: We handle all the necessary paperwork, including the VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) and the assignment of your new Irish “D” or “WH” plates. You simply need to arrange your insurance and motor tax, just like any other car purchase.
We are the industry leader in Japanese sourced cars in Ireland based on our strong reputation and expert knowledge. Our sales team are experts in the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) and are is happy to walk you through the specifics of any car advertised on our website and on our lot.
Contact our Sales Team today or Visit us
At Kylemore Cars, we are more than just a dealership; we are specialists in Japanese sourced cars. Located just off Exit 10 (Ballymount) on the M50 on the Naas Road, we have built our reputation on a simple philosophy: Transparency, Quality, and Value.
We recognised early on that the Japanese market offers Irish drivers a level of outstanding variety and vehicle quality that is becoming increasingly hard to find elsewhere. Every car on our forecourt has been hand-selected by our sourcing team, focusing on low mileage, high specifications, and pristine maintenance histories.
To ensure that our customers have the widest available choice in one location, we maintain a stock of over 1,000 cars so that we have every shape, size and colour.
When you buy from Kylemore Cars, you aren’t just buying a car an import—you experience buying a vehicle that has been vetted, serviced, and prepared to the highest Irish standards by an industry leader and expert a team that genuinely understands these cars.
We have built our reputation on a philosophy of Transparency, Quality, and Value. Our service centres on three core pillars:
1. The Trusted Experts
AA Approved and SIMI Registered: We operate to the highest industry standards, ensuring you are protected throughout your ownership journey.
JDM Specialists: Our team are experts in the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and genuinely understand these cars.
101-Point Inspection: Every car is rigorously tested before being listed for sale.
2. Doing What is Right
Family-Run Values: We pride ourselves on a “no pressure” environment where your peace of mind is our priority.
Transparency: We stake our reputation on the transparency of our stock and manage risk by only dealing with reputable, mainstream suppliers.
3. An Efficient End-to-End Experience
Tailored Finance: We offer competitive finance packages with quick approval times to get you on the road faster.
Fair Valuations: We provide competitive trade-in valuations to make your transition seamless.
Handled for You: We manage all VRT, paperwork, and the assignment of your new Irish plates.
Kylemore Cars
M50 Business Park,
Ballymount Avenue, Co. Dublin
