When looking for a used car, have you ever experienced seeing “Vehicle price: 500,000 yen” on the listing, but when you got a quote, it turned out to be over 700,000 yen? Used car prices have two display methods: “vehicle price” and “total price (drive-away price),” and if you don’t understand the difference, you may face unexpected expenses.
What is Total Price Display (Drive-away Price)?
Total price display refers to the vehicle price plus taxes, insurance, registration fees, and other all costs required to start driving the car. It’s also called “drive-away price” or “total payment amount.”
From October 2023, the Japan Automobile Fair Trade Council regulations made total price display mandatory in principle. This made it easier for consumers to fairly compare vehicles across different dealerships.
Differences Between Vehicle Price and Total Price Display
| Item | Included in Vehicle Price | Included in Total Price Display |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle body | ○ | ○ |
| Automobile tax (prorated) | × | ○ |
| Automobile weight tax | × | ○ |
| Compulsory liability insurance | × | ○ |
| Recycling deposit | × | ○ |
| Registration and title change fees | × | ○ |
| Parking certificate fee | × | ○ |
| Delivery fee | × | ○ (varies by dealership) |
Breakdown and Market Price of Miscellaneous Fees
Miscellaneous fees for used car purchases are broadly divided into statutory fees and dealership service charges.
Statutory Fees (Cannot Be Reduced)
- Automobile tax: 25,000–50,000 yen annually depending on engine displacement (prorated calculation)
- Automobile weight tax: 6,600–41,000 yen depending on vehicle weight
- Compulsory liability insurance: Approximately 17,650 yen for 24 months
- Recycling deposit: 7,000–20,000 yen (varies by vehicle type)
Dealership Service Charges
- Registration and title change service: 15,000–35,000 yen
- Parking certificate service: 10,000–20,000 yen
- Delivery fee: 0–30,000 yen (varies by distance)
- Maintenance fees: 0–50,000 yen (varies by inspection validity)
Tips for Getting a Great Deal on a Used Car
- Always compare by total price — A low vehicle price doesn’t matter if miscellaneous fees are high
- Choose a car with remaining inspection validity — You won’t need to pay for a new inspection (100,000–150,000 yen)
- Choose a dealership with an in-house workshop — Maintenance costs tend to be lower due to in-house processing
- Target settlement periods in March and September — You can expect discounts for inventory clearance
Find a Used Car
Over 100 hand-picked quality vehicles in stock. Every car comes with warranty and pre-delivery inspection.
Summary
When purchasing a used car, the most important thing is to compare by total price display (drive-away price), not vehicle price. Soukyo Motors presents all vehicles with total price display, and there are no additional fees.
For details on used car purchase procedures, see the Used Car Purchase Guide. Be sure to check the inventory list as well.
Contact Us
Buying, selling, inspections, rentals — whatever your question, we're happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between total price display and vehicle price for used cars?
Vehicle price is the value of the car itself. Total price display (drive-away price) is the vehicle price plus all necessary costs to start driving, such as taxes, insurance, registration fees, and inspection fees.
What is the market price for miscellaneous fees on used cars?
It varies depending on the vehicle type and year, but generally ranges from 100,000 to 300,000 yen. The breakdown includes automobile tax, weight tax, compulsory liability insurance, recycling fee, registration fee, parking certificate fee, and delivery fee.
When did the mandate for total price display go into effect?
Total price display for used cars became mandatory in principle under the Japan Automobile Fair Trade Council regulations from October 2023. However, some sales methods may be exempt, so always confirm “Can I drive away at this price?” when purchasing.
Are there ways to reduce miscellaneous fees?
There are methods such as obtaining your own parking certificate (saving approximately 10,000–20,000 yen) or having the car delivered to your location (saving delivery fees). However, statutory fees such as taxes and compulsory liability insurance cannot be reduced. Soukyo Motors includes parking certificate service fees in the total price display, so there’s no need to worry about additional charges.
