Big-G

Does anyone know how to find out when a Jap import car was 1st registered in Japan.

On my log book it says 1994, but its a MY96 according to the VIN.

Its a WRX Auto Wagon, first production run was MY96, (earlier ones were changed to auto trans after production run).

Its a GF8C58P********

P.S. don't knock an auto till you've tried one

XRS

According to the SIDC FAQ http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm it's a MY96 WRX 5 door AT.

Also have a look on the seatbelt labels.

Big-G

Thanks, but I want to know when it was 1st registered in Japan so that I can get my Registration Document (V5) changed from 1994 to 1995 or 1996.


Big-G

Brit_in_Japan

Did you get any of the original paperwork with the car? A copy of the last shaken (Japanese MOT) would have that info on it.

GC8

The best way to tell is by looking at the Certificate of De-Registration; this will have a year and month of first registration. If you no longer have a copy of the Certificate of De-Registration or its translation you can look at the base of the seat belt where there will be a label with the month and year of manufacture. The Applied Model Number on the build plate will show the vehicles production model year; yours certainly seems to be a MY '96. On the strength of this I would assume that the DVLA have made a mistake, which isnt uncommon. Have they described the car a a 1.8 GL too?

Simon

GC8

Ive just read your second post; seeing as FHI hadnt built the car when the DVLA say it was first registered, surely they will correct their mistake without insisting on further first registration details? The only way to establish this now is with the Certificate of De-Registration; which they have.....

Simon

Havent we spoken before? 'Widnes Wagoneer' rings a bell. Automatic 'Wagons are ****-hot btw.

Big-G

yes Simon we have spoken before, I once asked a question of horsepower/torque which you answered very knowledgeably.

Can't check seat belts yet, the wifes been out in the car all day. (I am a bag of nerves waiting for her to come home...you understand this don't you).

I guess a letter to DVLA might not go amiss with the necessary facts. (I don't have any Japanese paperwork with the car).

Big-G

GC8

It certainly looks like a mistake on the DVLAs part to me; I think Id write a letter stating that the chassis number and applied model code indicates that the vehicle wasnt manufactured until 1996; and referring them to the Certificate of De-Registration which they have, for confirmation.


Good luck

Simon

blueone

It could be possible that there was a mix up with the translation of the date. The Japanese sometimes use a different system based on when there Emperor is born/crowned. So each time there is a new Emperor the calander gets reset or something like that.

Brit_in_Japan

The Japanese also show the date figures in reverse order. So 13/01/2003 in UK date format would be written as:- 平成15年1月13日 (15 indicates the 15th year of the Heisei era which began in 1989)

1989 is also year 64 of the Showa era, that's when Hirohito died and the new era started.

平成06 = 1994
平成08 = 1996

Depending on which month it was registered, you can see how easily the DVLC could have made a mistake.