Ford Focus for Sale - Import from Japan

The Focus arrived in 1998 as a replacement for the Escort and has been built in four generations: the Mk1 from 1998, the Mk2 from 2004, the Mk3 from 2011 and the Mk4 from 2018. Ford Japan sold the Focus for years, and the compact hatchback built a following for sharp handling.

Almost everything in our dealer stock is the Mk3. The standard 2013 and 2014 cars are listed under the code MPBMGD, and the Sport grade is the common one. The performance RS models are listed under codes such as FUMEI, while one listing carries a placeholder code that tells you little. Because the RS is a limited, imported model, always ask us to confirm the details of any RS before you bid.

The Mk3 Focus was the car that carried Ford's EcoBoost engines and the modern touchscreen infotainment into the compact class, and it is an easy car to live with.

The Japanese Mk3 Focus Sport uses a 2.0 litre petrol engine with a six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic. It is a refined, comfortable engine, rather than a fast one, and it suits commuting and long trips.

The headline model is the Focus RS, the third-generation hot hatch with a 2.3 litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine of about 350 horsepower, a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive with a Drift mode. In Japanese listings the RS is sold in limited editions, with names such as RS Blue Black Edition and RS Red Edition.

A simple way to choose:

• Focus Sport: a roomy, affordable hatchback for everyday use.
• Focus RS: a collector-grade performance car with a lively engine and all-wheel drive.

If you want a cheap, simple car, buy the Sport. If you want a car that is a talking point and can hold its value, choose the RS, but expect a far bigger cheque, and look for low kilometres and no modifications. Equipment varies by car, with options such as leather, navigation and parking sensors.

Use the auction sheet as your base. Our guide to reading Japanese auction sheets explains the grade and the diagram marks. Then look at these points.

• PowerShift gearbox: the dry-clutch dual-clutch automatic on the Mk3 is known for judder and hesitation at low speed. Test it or ask for a video, and prefer cars with a service history.
• Engine and cooling: check the oil level, look for coolant leaks and listen for any rattle on start-up.
• Focus RS: look for signs of hard use, such as worn tyres, modified exhausts or a remap. Check the service record and any oil-related repairs.
• Suspension and steering: knocking noises or a steering wander can point to worn parts.
• Interior: the infotainment screen, the air conditioning and the electric windows should all work.
• Body: dents on the front bumper and wheels are common, and the diagram shows each mark.

On a high-value RS, a physical inspection with photos is worth requesting before the auction.

These are asking prices from ZervTek dealer stock, quoted FOB in November 2026. They change with condition and supply, and they are not quotations.

• Focus Sport, 2013 and 2014: about ¥495,000 to ¥850,000 FOB.
• Focus RS Blue Black Edition: about ¥5.6 million FOB.
• Focus RS Red Edition: about ¥6.7 million FOB.

The gap between the Sport and the RS is enormous, because the RS is a limited performance model and the Sport is a mainstream hatchback. Both need freight and local taxes added, and our import cost guide shows what to include.

Check the current rules with your own authority before you buy.

United States: Ford sold the Focus new in the US, and the Mk3 is far too young for the 25-year rule. A Japanese import is not realistic, although an earlier Mk1 is a different question and would need its own research.

Canada: the 15-year rule does not yet apply to the Mk3, which was built from 2011.

Other markets: the Focus is a global car with parts that are easy to find, which helps in countries that welcome used Japanese imports. Age limits of five to ten years suit a late Mk3, while an older one may be too old for some markets. Right-hand-drive markets such as the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand each have their own import rules, and the Focus RS in particular can attract strong interest. Emissions and safety checks vary, so a local importer can tell you what is allowed.

A Focus is a compact hatchback, so it ships well either way: RoRo is the cheapest route for a Sport, and a container is a better choice for a Focus RS, because it keeps the paint, wheels and low bodywork protected. We can quote both for your port.

Tell us whether you want the Sport or an RS, the budget and any preferred colour, and we will search the Japanese auctions, which run Monday to Saturday, and dealer stock. A deposit can be asked for before the bid, with unused money left in your wallet balance. After winning, the payment window is 3 days. We then prepare the export certificate, the invoice and the bill of lading, and send them to you ahead of the sailing. If you are comparing destinations, our guide to the import process for the UK covers the main steps for a right-hand-drive market.