The Nissan Cedric and Gloria were Japan's answer to the big executive saloon, sold side by side as twins for decades. Here they are a rare sight, which is half the appeal. The Gran Turismo turbo models have a following among people who like a quick, comfortable V6 saloon, and the upright Y31 taxi has become a cult car in its own right. Both follow the same import route as any other car from Japan.
- Body
- Four-door saloon or hardtop
- Turbo engines
- VG30DET or VQ30DET V6
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Test
- MOT, as every one is over 10 years
Two names, one car
The Cedric and the Gloria were sold through different Nissan dealer networks in Japan. By the cars people import today, they share the same body, engines and running gear, with small differences in grilles, lights and trim. Pick the one whose looks you prefer, as the import is the same. Both names ended in 2004, when the Nissan Fuga took over.
The generations people import
| Feature | Y31 | Y32 and Y33 | Y34 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In brief | Square-cut saloon and the first Gran Turismo | Rounder shape, turbo V6 Gran Turismos | The last of the line, before the Fuga |
| Turbo engine | VG30DET | VG30DET (Y32), VQ30DET (Y33) | VQ30DET |
| UK test | MOT | MOT | MOT |
| Tax today | 5% VAT on private cars, check taxis | 5% VAT on Y32, check the date on Y33 | 10% duty + 20% VAT |
The Y31 brought in the Gran Turismo name, with a sportier look than the chrome-heavy Brougham grades. The Y32 and Y33 carried the idea on, and are the ones most often bought for their turbo V6. Most cars are rear-wheel drive with automatic gearboxes, and all of them are right-hand drive from the factory.
Gran Turismo turbo models
The VG30DET is a 3.0 twin-cam turbo V6, the same family of engine used in other fast Nissans of the era. It is strong when looked after, but on a car this age the turbo, the cooling system and the timing belt matter more than the mileage. Ask for evidence that the cambelt has been changed, and listen for a smooth idle and a clean pull with no smoke.
Many of these cars have been modified, from wheels and lowered suspension to boost increases. That is part of the scene, but tell your insurer about every change. An undeclared modification is one of the easiest ways to have a claim refused.
Y31 taxis
The Y31 saloon stayed in production for taxi and fleet use long after the private cars had moved on. Ex-taxis are tough and often cheap, but most have covered big distances, and many were built to run on LPG. Check what fuel the car uses before you buy, and whether the LPG system is still fitted. If you want a petrol car, make sure that is what you are getting.
Because the taxi saloon was built for so long, its age can surprise you. Two cars that look the same can be 20 years apart, which changes the tax a lot. Go by the build date, not the shape.
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 10 done
Our guides to Japanese auction grades, checking the mileage on an imported car and history checks for imported cars cover the checks in more detail. Every car from Japan also needs its Japanese export certificate.
The test depends on age
The age of the car decides most of the work. GOV.UK exempts cars over 10 years old from vehicle approval, so they take an MOT instead of an IVA test.
| Age of the car | What it needs |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years | An IVA test, and a speedometer reading in mph |
| Over 10 years | An MOT, with a rear fog light if one is not fitted |
The private Cedric and Gloria ended in 2004, and even the last taxi saloons are now well past 10 years old. None needs an IVA test, and none needs its speedometer converted to mph.
Shipping a Cedric or Gloria
From Japan, RoRo is the usual route and costs less than a container. The car has to run and drive, and it should be empty, with no spare parts or loose wheels inside. If it does not run, or it is a modified car you would rather keep out of sight, a container is the answer.
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only. A long saloon takes more room than a small hatchback, so give us the exact model when you ask for a quote. Door to door, the journey is usually about 5 to 8 weeks. Our cost of importing from Japan guide works through a full example.
Import tax
A car under 30 years old pays 10% import duty and 20% import VAT, worked out on the price plus the shipping, with the VAT charged on top of the duty. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty. In October 2026 that means built before October 1996, which takes in the private Y31s, the Y32 and the earliest Y33s. Later Y33s, every Y34 and the later taxis pay the full rate.
Looking at a 1996 car or a taxi? Send us the chassis number before you buy. A few months of build date can be the difference between 5% VAT and the full rate.
Our worked tax examples show the sums side by side, and the import tax calculator runs your own numbers. If you are moving to the UK and qualify, Transfer of Residence can bring the car in with no VAT or duty at all.
Road tax and clean air zones
Road tax goes by the date the car was first registered anywhere. A car first registered before 1 March 2001 is taxed on engine size, and a 3.0 litre V6 pays the higher of the two rates. Later cars are taxed on their CO2 band. Our guide to road tax for imported cars explains it. If you drive in London or a charging Clean Air Zone, a petrol car needs evidence of Euro 4, and our guide to ULEZ and imported cars covers how to show it.
Getting it road legal
Because these cars are right-hand drive, the usual job is a rear fog light, fitted in the right position if one is missing. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance, which keeps the work down. We do any changes in our own workshop in Castle Donington, and our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register the car within 10 working days.
For the wider route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan. If you are weighing up other big Japanese saloons, our guides to the Toyota Crown and Century and the Toyota Celsior follow the same pattern. Before you commit, get a quote from an insurer that knows Japanese imports.
Questions people ask
Can I import a Nissan Cedric or Gloria to the UK?
Yes. Both follow the same route as any car from Japan: shipping, customs, a rear fog light if needed, an MOT, then DVLA registration. Every one is over 10 years old, so none needs an IVA test.
What is the difference between a Cedric and a Gloria?
Mostly the badge and the dealer that sold it in Japan. The later cars share their body, engines and running gear, with small differences in the grille, lights and trim.
Which Cedric and Gloria models qualify for 5% import VAT?
Any car built before October 1996, as it is over 30 years old. That covers the private Y31s, the Y32 and the earliest Y33s. Later Y33s, the Y34 and later taxis pay 10% duty and 20% VAT.
Can I import an ex-taxi Y31?
Yes. Check the build date, as the taxi saloon was made for many years, and check whether it runs on LPG. Expect a high mileage and look closely at rust.
Do I need to tell my insurer about modifications?
Yes. Many Gran Turismo cars have been modified, and every change should be declared. Undeclared modifications can lead to a refused claim.
Found a Cedric or Gloria you like? Send us the auction lot or listing on the quote form and we will price the whole job.
