To avoid scams when buying a car from Japan, verify the seller is a registered Japanese company, pay only into that company’s bank account in Japan, and check the car’s auction sheet and export documents before you pay. Most scams fail at one of those three checks.
Key takeaways
- Check the company on Japan’s National Tax Agency Corporate Number site before sending money.
- Pay only to a bank account in Japan in the company’s name — never to a private person, and never in cash to a local agent.
- A “new bank account” message is a classic trick: confirm by phone on a number from the official website.
- Cross-check the auction sheet, photos and export certificate.
Buying a car from Japan can be a rewarding experience. Japanese vehicles are known for their reliability and innovation. But for first-time buyers the process can feel daunting, partly because there are scams and dishonest practices to watch out for.
This guide explains the most common tricks and how to protect yourself.
Why do scams happen in the Japanese car market?
Because the trade is large and buyers are far away from the car.
A very large number of used vehicles leave Japan every year for countries around the world. Many buyers are new to the process, and the long distance makes it harder to check the car and the seller. A fake seller uses that gap.
The good news: with the right precautions, you can protect yourself. Here are the most common scams and how to avoid them.
1. Research the seller thoroughly
Most scams start with a fake or dishonest seller, so check the company before you pay anything.
- Check that the company is real: a genuine exporter is a registered company in Japan. Search its 13-digit Corporate Number on the National Tax Agency Corporate Number site or gBizINFO, and compare the name and address with the website and invoice.
- Check email addresses: real staff write from the company’s own domain. Autocom staff emails always end in @autocj.co.jp.
- Read reviews: look at independent reviews and buyer forums. Be careful with companies that have no reviews, or only reviews that look fabricated.
- Check the online presence: a professional website with a physical address, phone number and company email is a good start — but a website alone proves nothing, so do the registration check too.
Our step-by-step guide on how to verify a Japanese car exporter before you pay goes through every check.
2. Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals
A price far below the market is the most common bait.
A fake seller advertises a very low price to get a quick payment, then disappears. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Compare prices: check typical prices for the same model, year and grade across several listings.
- Understand the full cost: the car price is only part of it. Shipping, port charges, duties, taxes and registration all add up. Some fake sellers advertise a low car price and then add large “handling” fees at the last minute. Our landed cost checklist shows what to budget for.
When you are ready to compare real listings, browse Autocom’s stock list.
3. Verify the car’s history with auction sheets and inspection reports
Many scams involve damaged cars, rolled-back odometers or hidden repairs, so check the paperwork.
- Auction sheet: if the car came through a Japanese auction, the sheet shows its grade, mileage and any damage or repairs. Ask for a full copy and make sure it has not been altered. See our beginner’s guide to the auction sheet.
- Inspection report: many countries require a pre-shipment inspection in Japan, and independent inspections can give extra peace of mind.
If the seller will not provide an auction sheet or inspection report, treat it as a strong warning sign.
4. Beware of odometer fraud
Odometer fraud (“clocking”) means winding back the mileage so the car looks less used than it is.
- Cross-check the mileage: compare the auction sheet, the photos of the dashboard and any service records. Differences are a red flag.
- Know what an inspection does: for Kenya, the QISJ inspection records the odometer reading, but it does not guarantee against tampering. Your best protection is still the auction sheet and a trusted exporter.
5. Pay the right account, the right way
The biggest losses happen at the payment step. Follow these rules every time:
- Pay only to a company account in Japan: the account must be in Japan and in the company’s name. Never pay into an individual’s account.
- Check the beneficiary name: for Autocom, our bank accounts are all in Japan and the beneficiary is always “Autocom Japan Inc”. The valid accounts are only those on the official bank account list. If an invoice asks you to pay any other beneficiary, it is fraud.
- No money-transfer services: Autocom does not use services such as Western Union.
- No cash to local offices: Autocom’s local offices and agents do not accept cash or any payment, and staff may not make transfers on your behalf.
- Treat “our bank details have changed” as a red flag: call the exporter on a number from its official website before you pay.
Autocom sells for full payment by bank transfer (T/T) to Japan; L/C and PayPal are available for select countries only. After shipment you receive the bill of lading, the shipping document that confirms your car is on board and that you need for clearance.
6. Understand shipping and import procedures
A fake seller may quote inflated or invented shipping costs, so learn how shipping works.
- Know the shipping methods: most cars go by Ro-Ro or container. See Ro-Ro vs container shipping.
- Be aware of charges at your end: port fees, duties, taxes and inspection fees depend on your country’s rules. Check the rules for your country in our import rules section.
7. Check the export certificate and legal documents
Before a car leaves Japan it is deregistered and an export certificate is issued. It records the car’s registration details, such as the chassis number and first registration date, and many countries need it for clearance.
- Cross-check documents: the chassis number and dates on the export certificate should match the auction sheet, invoice and listing. See understanding the Japan export certificate.
- Expect the exporter to handle the paperwork: a genuine exporter arranges deregistration, the export certificate and shipping documents.
8. Ask about customer support and after-sales help
A reputable exporter stays reachable before and after the sale, and helps with document questions during clearance.
If a seller becomes unresponsive once you have paid, or only ever contacts you from personal accounts, that is a sign of a scam. Check the genuine contacts on our page of official Autocom Japan channels, and note that Autocom is not running any free car, cash or prize giveaways — see our scam alert.
Stay informed and cautious
If something feels wrong, stop and check before you pay. A trustworthy exporter is transparent, reachable and happy to let you verify it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know an exporter in Japan is real?
Search its 13-digit Corporate Number on the National Tax Agency Corporate Number site or gBizINFO, and check the details match its website and invoice.
Can I pay a staff member’s personal account?
No. Pay only to a bank account in Japan in the company’s name. For Autocom, the beneficiary is always “Autocom Japan Inc”.
What should I do if I think I’ve been scammed?
Contact your bank immediately, report the fraud to your local police, and tell the real company through its official channels.
