How do you tell if a Impreza is a jap import or a european import? Or UK car?? (Classic shape Impreza Turbo) If the car was imported from Japan surely it would say on the V5 Logbook??? If its a european import how can you tell?? Would it say on the logbook?

Do all jap imports have folding mirrors?? Rear wash wipe etc?

Can you tell from the chassis number?? Or is there any simple ways to find out using just the registration plate???

Thanks,

Doug

BTTT ;)

Jap imports have a rear wiper.

You should be able to ask a dealer about the Chassis number. That will definatly tell you if its a Jap import. As for a Euro car it is probably quite difficult. Look at the Serive book, it will probably be in KM's not miles.

Hello!
I was worried about mine when I first had it so I checked the FAQ on the SIDC web site, this then leads you to the IWOC web site which has a list of specs and years and show's you how to read your VIN plate.

I hope this helps :) it put my mind at rest

i have to ask................
what does BTTT mean?!!!!

back to the top!!

JDM cars have a shorter VIN than export cars (I think 11 characters). Export cars have 16 or 17 characters (don't remember exactly).

Check the SIDC FAQ, I believe that there's a digit in the chassis number that indicates whether the car is a 'real' UK car or an import. Cars ordered in UK spec from the Continent have this digit different - it's the ONLY difference that I'm aware of.

A.

My RA doesnt have a rear wash wipe ;)

Chassis number is shorter on the Japanese imports. Only reall way to tell is to give you dealer the chassis number and they can check for you. teh VIN plate is underneath the bonnet passenger side wing/top of suspension

BTW if it has a bright swtich then it aint a Japanese import ;).

My RA on the V5 says previously used abroad on it as well.

What exactly does JDM stand for? Im guessing Japanese X X......

Japanese Domestic Market IIRC

Best thing is to look at the service book. Subaru UK are very particular about not letting import owners of any type get their hands on the UK ones. This will be in English language with service intervals in miles for a UK car and contains the name of the UK garage that sold the car. Anything else that identifies a UK car can be added to a Euro import at little cost to the owner. Jap imports have totally different spec.

The Jap should be fastest :):):)

Ray

Also the log book will have "First registered" on a UK car and
"First registered for use in this country" or similar in the logbook...

I believe..

JGM :)

On the passenger side above the kick plate is couple of clips for the distress flare.(odd addition)
Rev counter is larger and centred with the speedometer to the right and smaller.
Electric aerial is on the n/s rear quarter.
Rear wiper
But this is MY98 WRX so they all seem to vary according to the original order for the car.
My car was first registered here and imported brand new, log books are only a guide and never taken as 100% proof of origin.
Log books can state anything as the DVLC do not correct mistakes made by the data inputters and this will remain with the car forever. V5 are not the be all and end all. I believe that some RB5's were registered as a GX or something similar and remain to this day as GX`s .
Chassis number has to be the only sure way, Unless the car is rung in which case it would stick out a mile price wise anyway.


[Edited by wrxmark - 8/27/2002 6:16:02 PM]

[Edited by wrxmark - 8/27/2002 6:19:57 PM]

if its a Jap import you should find a pen under the drivers seat (see SIDC FAQ's)

Sorry, i could not resist :D:D

I'll get me coat...... ;)

Thanks for all the info folks :)

I wrote to the DVLC twice and my V5 now says Subaru Impreza WRX it did say 1.8GL I think when I got it. So they do correct mistakes if you contact them, best way is to visit your local VRO and take the car/insurance certificate and speak to someone. My local VRO are really good and have sorted all sort of issues out on all sorts of cars, I deal with them now unless I have to deal directly with the DVLC/DVLA.

Specs are not worth going off as there are loads of differences even with the Japanese models. My car has the ariel where a UK car has one (drivers side pillar), no rear wash wipe. It does have the big centre tacho though :D.

Wasn't there a web site where you could put your VIN number in and it told you about the car?

David

The distress flare is used when the car breaks down on the expressway. I have seen it 'in action' over there.

Aren't the distress flares in the Japanese models illegal over here? I think they're classed as explosive devices (just like the cars ;-) ) and normally get taken out. Mind you, still got mine.

Matt

Shark,
the website is
www.autobaza.pl

alan

Telling the difference between Japanese import and Euro spec should be easy. There are many differences but I'm not an expert on this.

Difference between Euro import and genuine UK spec are more subtle.

I have a Euro import and could have tried to hide the fact pretty well to the uninitiated.....

When I was importing some of the other guys I shared information with were able to get all the correct UK paperwork. Some even got friendly UK garages to stamp the log book as if it was one of their own.

However one thing that you can't get without illegal forgery type activities is the original receipt for the motor - not many people would think to ask about this.


Other pointers to look for are:

Do the number plates bear the name of a UK garage or are they plain.
Does the car have Subaru locking wheel nuts
Does it have a factory fitted alarm

An EU import would have none of these unless aquired separately

The Eupo import also does not have a sticker on the back saying turbo.

But the one thing that clearly indicate its a Euro import for MY00 models at least is if it is sonic blue its an import.

At the end of the day if you are buying a car more than 3 years old it probably does not matter if its a UK or Euro import. It the wally that's been driving it you should be checking out.

Cheers

Thanks again folks :) For all the helpful info

you can tell if its a jap... Stick it up on ramps and look how clean and rust free they are compared to euro and uk spec...
we get the ****e over here and the japanese get the top notch versions, fair dos when you think about it, shame it couldnt happen with the jap owned motors that are made over here!!!