Answer : The Shaken is the mandatory vehicle inspection required by the national government department of motor vehicles in Japan.

In Japan cars are sold to their owners with 'shaken', a combination of safety inspection, compulsory insurance, proof of parking space, weight tax and vehicle tax that is valid for three years. To renew 'shaken' is costly (an average of about 850 - 1000 pounds) this can vary according to the size of the car and is also time consuming. It involves putting the car through meticulous inspection process like a pit inspection here as well as having to replace even slightly worn parts and prove things such as proof of parking permit etc. This lasts you 2 years, then it's the same again until you buy a new car… For the driver, the 'shaken' and government taxes make regular new cars an economical proposition and in the competitive Japanese market dealerships provide customers with further incentives to return their current cars as trade ins. So, when the 'shaken' expires after 3, 5, 7 or 9 years most cars are traded. This factor explains why only an eccentric person would consider keeping any car longer than five or seven years, regardless of its objective condition. The lack of domestic demand for second hand leaves dealers holding lot good quality second hand cars. Low demand and a high endless supply, force these cars to be sold cheaply at auction - in fact very cheaply, and this is where our opportunity arises for the UK to import these cars.

This is very similar to the UK M.O.T. the common thing they are tested for are listed below :

• Brake lights
• Turn signals
• Reverse lights
• Wipers
• Washer spray
• Horn
• Speedometer accuracy
• Front brakes
• Rear brakes
• Headlight aim
• Exhaust gas test (CO, NOx)
• Front wheel alignment and steering
• Frame and suspension integrity