The Knowledge
Kei Guides
Everything we know about importing, buying, building and living with a kei truck — the UK's growing knowledge base for little Japanese workhorses and the adventures they're built for.
Start here
The essential reading, whether you're kei-curious or ready to import
Pillar guide
What Is a Kei Truck? A UK Owner's Guide
660cc, sub-3.4 metres, sub-tonne. What a kei truck actually is, why Japan built them, the makes, what they're like to own — and exactly how they work in the UK.
Read the guide 9 min readPillar guide
How to Import a Kei Truck to the UK, Step by Step
From a Japanese auction to a UK number plate. The real process, the real costs, and the paperwork that trips people up.
Read the guide 2 min readIn the works
Kei Truck vs Kei Van: Which to Buy
Flat-floor van or open-bed truck? How to choose between the two for work, overland and camper builds.
In the works
The Complete Kei Camping Guide
Bed tents, shells and full conversions. Turning a 660cc kei into a go-anywhere micro-camper.
In the works
Overland & Green Laning a Kei Truck
Lifts, tyres, recovery and the lanes themselves. Getting a little Japanese 4WD off the tarmac.
In the works
Kei Parts & Upgrades: A Buyer's Guide
Service items, wear parts and the upgrades worth doing first, by engine and chassis code.
Model buying guides
13 in-depth guides — specs, what to check, importing and living with each model
Daihatsu Hijet Cargo & Atrai: The Complete UK Camper & Buyer's Guide
The best-supported kei van in the UK and a brilliant flat-floor camper base. Cargo vs Atrai, the EF-belt vs KF-chain engines, the motorway-viable turbo, importing, and a full conversion guide.
10 min readDaihatsu Hijet S201P / S211P: The Complete UK Owner's Guide
The common-as-muck mid-generation Hijet — and arguably the most capable kei truck off-road. The EF-vs-KF engine change, the diff-lock 4WD, Jumbo vs standard cab, and importing one in 2026.
11 min readDaihatsu Hijet Truck (S200P & S500P): The Complete UK Owner's Guide
The current new-buy kei truck and the galvanised classic. The KF chain engine, the real story on the 'Climber', the diff-lock 4WD, the IVA catch on newer ones, and importing in 2026.
9 min readHonda Acty Truck: The Complete UK Owner's Guide (HA3–HA9)
The last mid-engine kei truck, and the cult one. Every generation explained, the Acty Attack off-road trim, the timing-belt reality, honest parts-supply truth, and importing in 2026.
10 min readHonda Acty Van & Vamos: The Complete UK Owner's Guide
The mid-engine Honda kei vans before the N-VAN — the cult cargo Acty Van, the open-top Vamos, and the tall-roof Hobio. The turbo, the timing belt, and importing in 2026.
7 min readHonda N-VAN: The Complete UK Camper & Buyer's Guide
The most camper-ready kei van ever made — flat floor, fold-flat front seat, pillarless side opening, and a 6-speed manual. The turbo, the IVA reality, and importing one in 2026.
9 min readMitsubishi Minicab (U41–U62): The Complete UK Owner's Guide
The budget-friendly kei truck with a turbo secret and a parts catch. The 3G83 engine, the Nissan Clipper connection, spotting the post-2014 Suzuki rebadge, and importing in 2026.
9 min readSubaru Sambar (TT/TV/TW): The Complete UK Owner's Guide
The last rear-engine kei vehicle, and the only one with a four-cylinder. The supercharged option, the truck/van/Dias Wagon line-up, the supercharger oil nobody checks, and importing in 2026.
10 min readSuzuki Carry & Every Classic (DC51T / DE51V): The UK Owner's Guide
The round-cab F6A classic — the cult retro kei truck and van. The timing-belt warning, the axle-lock-vs-diff-lock truth, the ULEZ catch, and importing in 2026.
9 min readSuzuki Carry DA16T: The Complete UK Owner's Guide
The current-generation Carry — naturally aspirated, front-engined, and the one with the IVA catch. The R06A engine, the 4WD system, importing one in 2026, and the 10-year rule that decides how much it costs to register.
11 min readSuzuki Carry DA63T: The Complete UK Owner's Guide
The most popular kei truck in the UK — and the easiest to live with. The K6A engine, the 4WD system explained, importing one in 2026, what to check before you buy, and what it's really like to own.
12 min readSuzuki Every DA17V: The Complete UK Camper & Buyer's Guide
The current Every — the DA64V's modern successor and a four-badge parts champion. The AGS gearbox to avoid, the turbo to seek, the IVA catch, and a full camper-conversion guide.
9 min readSuzuki Every DA64V: The Complete UK Camper & Buyer's Guide
The DA63T's van sibling and the UK's favourite micro-camper base. Van vs Wagon, turbo vs NA, can you sleep in one, importing in 2026, and a full camper-conversion guide.
11 min read