Average used car price in Japan 2023 | Statista (2024)

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Average used car price in Japan 2023 | Statista? ›

Average price of used cars bought in Japan 2023, by engine type. According to a survey conducted in August 2023 in Japan, the purchase of used cars that ran on gasoline cost on average 1.47 million Japanese yen.

Average price of used cars bought in Japan 2023, by engine type. According to a survey conducted in August 2023 in Japan, the purchase of used cars that ran on gasoline cost on average 1.47 million Japanese yen.

As you can see from the table above, the cost of a new car in Japan ranges from ¥1,500,000 ($13,545) to ¥2,400,000 ($21,645).

In 2023, Toyota's Yaris was the best-selling passenger car model in the new vehicle category within the Japanese automobile market, with a sales volume of almost 194.4 thousand units. Toyota Corolla ranked second, sales reaching around 154.9 thousand units.

New vehicle average selling price in the U.S. 2016 - 2023

In the United States, the average selling price for a new light vehicle came to around 47,010 U.S. dollars in 2023. New light vehicles were about 1.6 percent more expensive in 2023 than in 2022. What is the price of a new car in the U.S.?

The underlying reason is the large economy of scale (Japan is the third largest economy in the world) which allows the manufacturers to sell their cars at a much lower price in the local market. Moreover, the Japanese are used to buy newer models whenever they arrive in the market.

Some of the most popular used cars in Japan, especially among Americans, are the Toyota Hiace and Suzuki Jimny. Even though they're tiny and inexpensive, their build quality is very good and you can get a reliable vehicle for a very reasonable price.

Buying a Car From a Dealer

Registering a car in Japan can be challenging, especially if you don't speak or read Japanese. To buy from a dealer, you will need: Valid international driver's permit and foreign drivers license or Japanese driver's license.

While it would be an exaggeration to call it a low-priced destination, one of the great things about Japan is that you can truly tailor your experience to your budget, meaning that how much you spend is to a good degree up to you. If your budget is flexible, it's very easy to spend money here.

Japan is cheaper than you think. Way cheaper. In fact, Japan is arguably the least expensive country in the developed world, rivaled only by Portugal and South Korea. And now that the yen is at a three-decade low against the US dollar, it feels particularly cheap for those coming from the USA.

What is the #1 car brand in Japan? ›

In 2023, Toyota was the leading car manufacturer in Japan, selling around 1.58 million vehicles domestically. The overall car sales volume of increased by more than half a million compared to the previous year, reaching about 4.78 million exemplars.

The Honda N-BOX is the best-selling vehicle in Japan overall. As for kei cars, the Honda N-BOX (+14.4%) easily holds onto the top spot and ranks #1 kei car for the 9th year in a row (no interruption since 2015. It is also the best-selling vehicle in the country overall, beating the Toyota Yaris.

The average life expectancy of an automobile is about 8 years, or about 150,000 miles. Meanwhile, Japanese cars generally last up to 13 years, or 200,000 miles – and they often need fewer repairs during that time.

Starting with the 1/10th guideline, created and pushed by Financial Samurai, this guideline states: buy a car in cash that costs less than 1/10th your gross annual pay. If you make $50,000 you should buy a car in cash worth $5000. If you make $100,000, the car you buy should be worth no more than $10,000.

Summer & Winter—During the hottest and coldest seasons, it's always a great time to buy a used car. It's typically slower during those months, so not only can you expedite your experience, but there won't be as many people shopping for a car. You may even be able to find some great discounts.

Generally if they're taken care of they're very reliable. Good servicing, and making sure things like coolant and oil are regularly changed and full and you should be OK.

The “Sweet Spot” Mileage Range

Regarding Japanese imports, there is no universal magic number for good mileage. However, a commonly recognized mileage range for used cars falls between 30,000 to 100,000 miles (48,000 to 160,000 kilometers).

Despite the high cost of transport, the sale of used cars and other vehicles to other countries is still profitable due to the relatively low cost and good condition of the vehicles being purchased.