Honda Girl

Hello,

Hoping one of you lot can help me out again! :-)

Im dealing with a claim where the vehicle is described as a 1999 Subaru Impreza GL on the registration document, imported into the UK in 2000. However, the owner seems to think it is a Sti Type R!

So far as I know, the Sti Type R is a different shape to the 1999 GL, meaning the GL could not be modified to look like a Sti Type R.....is this right?!

This sneaky fella thinks he will get about 5 times the amount of money for his GL, by telling us it is a Type R!

Dont flame me for investigating insurance claims - it's people like this who cost all of us money by committing fraud!!

Anyway, hope you can help!

Cheers,
Karen

Keef69

May well be a type R. My log book just says Subaru, not even Impreza, let alone WRX or STI.

Check out the faq on www.sidc.co.uk it lists the GC8 No's for the imports, then check under his bonnet. PS the type R is a 2 door. I don't like insurance fraud either, but suspect you won't get too much help here!

RetroR2

My 95 WRX import is described a Subaru Impreza GL but is most definately a WRX turbo. I have read quite a few post where the car is is not correct on the logbook, I think it was something to do with DVLA not having a corresponding model on their computers.

Dave

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

As long as it is stated as a 2 door it should be ok.

Sprint Chief

Japanese import impreza's very often just say "impreza GL" on the log book.

As Keef69 points out, check the SIDC FAQ and cross-check the chassis code.

PS. It would cost more than a type R in the first place to convert a GL into a type R - they have completely different body shells!!!

Honda Girl

Thanks for the link, I have just looked up the list and this one doesn't follow the sequence! It starts GC8, there should be a letter next but there is a number, and the 6th digit should also be a letter to show the model type, but again this is a letter! Could be DVLA's poor translation of what was shown on the original Jap docs......will do some digging!

Cheers for the help....

Karen
PS. The car has been stolen so I can't inspect the VIN plate.

Iwan

Quite often jap import subarus have something different written on the V5 to what the car actually is, something to do with bending the SVA rules to get them registered i believe.

Best way to tell what it is for sure is ask for the VIN (chassis) number, part of the VIN number should look like this "GC8E2DD", this is the model code.

Then have a look here: http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm#1.2 under the section called "2.1.1 Japanese Production Runs". You can match up the model code with the exact version and year it was produced. For example the one i gave above is for a "WRX R STi4 2 door" which was produced Sep 97 to Aug 98.

Hope this helps.

Iwan

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

DVLA have a pretty shocking record when it comes to accurately recording the details of imports - mine's just listed as 'Subaru' with the model field completely blank. Given how pedantic they are when it comes to requiring every last detail to be correct on a model report, this is rather surprising but nevertheless very common.

Simple ways to tell, though:

- the STI Type R is a 2 door, GL is either 4 or 5
- nobody ever imports non-turbo Imprezas from Japan
- nobody ever voluntarily pays STI insurance premiums if they drive a GL

chris's scooby

Unless they're going to arrange to have it go walk about one night so they can claim on the insurance!

Honda Girl

Thank you to all who replied - I have confirmed from the list it is the STi Type R. Found a different GC8 number on the Jap service histroy! Makes my life much easier!

Thanks again,
Karen