RetireJapan

I'm posing this question having done very little research myself amidst many other administrative tasks. Interested in information.

Situation
* I'll be moving to the UAE in August for a 2yr contract.
* I own a family car which I like (2016 Stepwgn; 85,000km; bought approx 2.5yrs ago).
* I don't know what I'll do after my 2yr contract, but intend to retain PR, and intend to head back to Japan at some stage.

Options: sell, store, ship? Are there other options... eg lease??

Shipping...
My understanding is that shipping to the UAE won't be viable as the UAE authorities would only accept left-hand drive AND only non-modified cars; presumably changing the driving position counts as modification.

Selling...
Any recommendations on doing so?

Storing...
Haven't really looked into this yet, but ought to. Given that I like the car and could be back to Japan after 2yrs, I could hedge bets and store it for a couple of years if that's feasible. Does one deregister it? What happens if a shaken is due during the time the car is being stored?

Personally I would sell it. Leaving a car unused for two years is not a good idea for it mechanically, and may necessitate storage costs. Used car prices are currently high due to the shortage of new vehicles, so you will hopefully get a good price if you sell it.

Moreover, depreciation means 2 years down the line you should be able to buy a similar condition 2016 Stepwgn for cheaper than you could buy a 2016 Stepwgn today. Compare e.g. the prices of similar mileage 2014 and 2016 Stepwgns today.

I've never used it personally, but a car mechanic friend said Rakuten Car Auction is not a bad way to sell a used car. You can get an estimated price in minutes just by entering a few details.

And if you do sell it, you could put the money to work for 2 years by investing / buying bonds / using a term deposit and hope to make a little profit.

TBS wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 6:57 am Personally I would sell it. Leaving a car unused for two years is not a good idea for it mechanically, and may necessitate storage costs. Used car prices are currently high due to the shortage of new vehicles, so you will hopefully get a good price if you sell it.

Moreover, depreciation means 2 years down the line you should be able to buy a similar condition 2016 Stepwgn for cheaper than you could buy a 2016 Stepwgn today. Compare e.g. the prices of similar mileage 2014 and 2016 Stepwgns today.

I've never used it personally, but a car mechanic friend said Rakuten Car Auction is not a bad way to sell a used car. You can get an estimated price in minutes just by entering a few details.

And if you do sell it, you could put the money to work for 2 years by investing / buying bonds / using a term deposit and hope to make a little profit.

Thanks for the quick response and interesting and useful thoughts and links to what was a very quick, unresearched and open-to-possibilities query.

An additional point I should mention: I won’t have a property or parking space in Japan, so storing options would either have to be commercial or with family/friends, and I don’t think either option is ideal.

I too assume selling will be the best option, but unlike my sole previous car, I thought this was a keeper, and do at least want to explore possibilities.

A friend left a few years ago. Set it up to sell on the outskirts of narita, drove there, dropped off the car, a night in a hotel, then onto the plane. Not sure, it may have been slightly older (relatively speaking) than your step wagon.

kuma wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 8:02 am I too assume selling will be the best option, but unlike my sole previous car, I thought this was a keeper, and do at least want to explore possibilities.

What you are feeling is a type of ambiguity aversion bias, or "better the devil you know". I haven't run the numbers, but it is very likely that the devil you know will be much more costly financially to you than the alternative. Especially when you consider the very real possibility that your 2 year sojourn ends up being longer than 2 years.

Make loads of money, and get a new car when you come back

TBS wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 6:57 am Personally I would sell it. Leaving a car unused for two years is not a good idea for it mechanically, and may necessitate storage costs. Used car prices are currently high due to the shortage of new vehicles, so you will hopefully get a good price if you sell it.

Moreover, depreciation means 2 years down the line you should be able to buy a similar condition 2016 Stepwgn for cheaper than you could buy a 2016 Stepwgn today. Compare e.g. the prices of similar mileage 2014 and 2016 Stepwgns today.

I've never used it personally, but a car mechanic friend said Rakuten Car Auction is not a bad way to sell a used car. You can get an estimated price in minutes just by entering a few details.

And if you do sell it, you could put the money to work for 2 years by investing / buying bonds / using a term deposit and hope to make a little profit.

All the above sounds like good advice.
As for selling, Facebook's Sayonara sales (Tokyo, Osaka etc) is a place a lot of non-Japanese sell cars to each other (usually 10+ old and lower prices).
I sold a car on Yahoo Auctions. There is paperwork, but nothing too bad.

Thanks to all respondents for thoughts. Lots of links, ideas, etc.

I will prob sell.