If you’ve ever browsed Japanese imports in Ireland, one thing stands out straight away: the mileage is often surprisingly low.

Whether it’s a hatchback, hybrid, or a rugged 4x4 like the Suzuki Jimny, many cars arriving from Japan have covered far fewer kilometres than similar models here in Ireland.

In our experience sourcing vehicles for customers around Dublin and South Dublin, this is one of the most common questions we get: why do Japanese cars often have such low mileage?

The answer comes down to a mix of culture, regulations, and how people use cars in Japan.

Let’s break it down.

The Big Reason: Japan’s Strict Vehicle Inspection System — The Shaken Law

Japan has one of the strictest vehicle inspection systems in the world called Shaken.

Shaken is a mandatory, thorough inspection that checks safety standards, emissions, and overall condition of a vehicle every two to three years. As cars age, the inspection becomes more expensive and more demanding, covering the engine, brakes, tires, and other parts.

Because of these rising costs and strict regulations, many owners choose to sell their cars earlier, often when mileage is still relatively low — typically after about three years to five years of ownership.

This is why so many vehicles exported from Japan arrive in Ireland in good condition with such low mileage.

When importing a Jimny or any other Japanese vehicle, this strict maintenance culture means the car has usually been well serviced and properly looked after before it even leaves Japan.

Public Transport and Urban Living Reduce Daily Driving

Another big factor is how people travel in Japan.

Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto have some of the best public transport systems in the world. Trains, buses, and metros are fast, reliable, and used daily by millions.

Many Japanese people prefer using bicycles or public transportation over personal vehicles due to the high cost of parking space, road taxes, and insurance.

That means many car owners only drive:

• on weekends

• for family trips

• for rural travel

Compared to Ireland, where many people commute daily by car, Japanese vehicles naturally accumulate far fewer kilometres each year.

Shorter Commutes and High Urban Density

Japan is extremely urbanised, and many people live close to work, shops, and transport hubs.

A typical drive might only be a few kilometres, leading to lower cost and lower wear on vehicles.

Compare that to a commute from Wicklow into Dublin or from Kildare into the city centre — Irish drivers can easily add 20,000 km per year without even thinking about it.

So even a five-year-old Japanese car can sometimes have less mileage than a two-year-old Irish car.

High Ownership Costs Encourage Early Sales

Owning a car in Japan is expensive.

Drivers must pay for:

• parking permits (which can be costly and hard to find)

• road taxes

• Shaken inspection fees

• insurance

• maintenance

Because of these costly factors, many owners choose to upgrade sooner than drivers in Ireland.

Cars are often sold when they are still relatively new and lightly used, which feeds the global export market.

That’s one reason why the Japanese used car market is famous worldwide.

Cultural Attitudes Toward Maintenance and Vehicle Turnover

In Japan, vehicle maintenance is taken very seriously.

Owners tend to follow service schedules carefully, and many dealerships keep detailed service histories.

Even cars with low mileage often have:

• regular oil changes

• documented inspections

• proper servicing of the engine and other parts

Japanese people generally prefer newer cars and often sell their vehicles after about three years or when the Shaken law inspection costs become too high.

This cultural preference, combined with strict safety standards and inspection laws, results in a high turnover of vehicles, keeping mileage low and cars in good condition.

Commercial Vehicles, Fleets, and Low Mileage

It’s worth noting that commercial vehicles, including buses and fleet vehicles, also often have low mileage in Japan.

These vehicles usually operate within limited urban areas with short daily routes, contributing to the overall lower average mileage seen across many Japanese cars.

Why This Matters When Importing a Jimny

This low-mileage trend is a big reason why Japanese-market Suzuki Jimnys are so desirable.

At The Jimny Co, we regularly source Jimnys directly from Japan for Irish customers. The quality difference can be impressive — many arrive with low kilometres, clean interiors, and strong service records.

Because Ireland has limited supply of passenger Jimnys, importing directly from Japan is often the best way to find a great example.

Our process typically includes:

• sourcing the vehicle from trusted Japanese auctions

• independent inspections before purchase

• shipping to Ireland

• handling Revenue paperwork and VRT

• registration at the NCT centre

• warranty and aftercare in Dublin

So when your Jimny arrives, it’s fully registered and ready for Irish roads.