For those of you who have ever traveled to Japan and spent time there long enough to know their "safety" certification system, you will know that each year your vehicle must undergo a safety system inspection. Things such as paint scratches, dents, dings and other visible damage are not allowed and must be corrected before receiving their annual certificate. To me it was rules to support the Japanese auto industry since after a few years it was impractical to cost justify these repairs.

Driving by an auto graveyard one day, I questioned the Japanese executive who I was with how old the cars in the junkyard were since they all appeared to be in relatively good condition. He indicated that most Japanese cars did not last more than 60,000 km before they were junked!