Guides

How to Find the Right Part Number for Your Japanese Import (and Why It Beats Searching by Model)
the fastest way to buy the right part for a Japanese import is to find its genuine part number and search that, not the model name. Get it from (1) the old part itself, (2) an online parts catalogue looked up by your frame number, or (3) a seller or dealer you give your frame number to. Then search Read more...
Mazda Bongo Friendee Parts Guide (SGL5, SGLR, SG5W): Keeping the World's Favourite Camper Bus Rolling
the Mazda Bongo Friendee (SG series, built 1995 to 2005) is mostly found as a 2.5 L WL-T turbo-diesel or a 2.5 L J5 V6 petrol. SGL5 and SGLR are diesel 4WD codes, SGL3 is the diesel 2WD and SG5W is the V6 petrol 2WD. The engine decides your filters; the code decides brakes and driveline; the facelif Read more...
Nissan Note E12 and e-Power Parts Guide: It's a Hybrid That Insists It Isn't
the second-generation Nissan Note (sold in Japan from September 2012 to December 2020) uses four main codes. E12 is the 2WD petrol car (1.2 L HR12DE, or the supercharged HR12DDR), NE12 is the 4WD petrol, HE12 is the e-Power (from November 2016) and SNE12 is the e-Power 4WD (from July 2018). Every on Read more...
Nissan Leaf Parts Guide (ZE0, AZE0, ZE1): The Car With No Oil Filter Still Needs Parts
a Japanese-import Nissan Leaf is one of three codes. ZE0 is the first car (2010 to 2012, 24 kWh), AZE0 is the updated first generation (2013 to 2017, 24 kWh or 30 kWh) and ZE1 is the second generation (Japan from October 2017, 40 kWh, with the 62 kWh e+ from January 2019). Search parts by that code. Read more...
Nissan Silvia Parts on eBay (S13, S14, S15, 180SX): Which Car Do You Actually Have?
match Silvia parts by chassis code and engine, not by "S13" alone. A 1.8 L S13 (CA18DE/CA18DET) and a 2.0 L PS13 (SR20DE/SR20DET) take different engine parts, the 180SX shares a chassis with the S13 but not its front end, and most US "S13" or "S14" listings are for the 240SX with a KA24 engine and l Read more...
Toyota Vitz Parts Guide (KSP130, NSP130, NHP130): Your Yaris Has a Secret Identity
the third-generation Toyota Vitz (the 130 series, sold in Japan from December 2010 to 2019) is the Japanese-market version of the XP130 Yaris. Its chassis code tells you the engine: KSP130 is the 1.0 L 1KR-FE, NSP130 the 1.3 L 2WD, NSP135 the 1.3 L 4WD, NCP131 the 1.5 L 1NZ-FE and NHP130 the hybrid Read more...
How to Spot a Fake PSA Slab on eBay (Before Your Charizard Turns Out to Be Fan Art)
type the slab's certification number into PSA's own cert lookup (psacard.com/cert or the official PSA app) yourself, and check that the card name, set, number and grade on the record match the label and the card in the photos. Then check the label and case in close-up photos, ignore any "verify here Read more...
7 Myths About Buying Car Parts on eBay (That Cost Import Owners Money)
most bad eBay parts purchases come from a handful of assumptions: trusting the fitment checker for a Japanese import, treating "OEM" as "genuine", comparing prices before tax and postage, and thinking a "no returns" listing leaves you unprotected. Search by chassis code and part number, compare the Read more...
Toyota Prius 30 & Prius Alpha Parts Guide: ZVW30, ZVW40 and ZVW41 Explained
the third-generation Prius (ZVW30) and the Prius Alpha wagon (ZVW40/ZVW41, sold elsewhere as the Prius v or Prius+) share the same 1.8 L 2ZR-FXE hybrid engine, so many engine service parts overlap. Body parts, brakes and above all the hybrid battery don't automatically swap: the 5-seat Prius Alpha ( Read more...
Honda Fit / Jazz Parts Guide (GK3, GK5, GP5): Same Car, Two Names, Many Codes
the Honda Fit is the Japanese-market name for the car sold as the Jazz in Australia, the UK and Europe. The third generation (2013–2020 in Japan) uses GK3/GK4 for the 1.3 L petrol, GK5/GK6 for the 1.5 L petrol and GP5/GP6 for the 1.5 L hybrid. Search parts with that code, not just "Fit" or "Jazz", b Read more...
Nissan Serena C26 & C27 Parts Guide: S-Hybrid, e-Power and Which Parts Fit
the C26 Serena (2010–2016) and the C27 (2016–2022) use different chassis codes for petrol, S-Hybrid and e-Power versions, and those versions don't always share service parts. Find the code on your export papers (for example GC27 or HFC27), search eBay with that code plus the part, and send the selle Read more...
Japanese Import, Week One: 10 Surprises Nobody Warned You About (and the Fixes)
almost every "fault" a new Japanese import shows in its first week is the car working perfectly for a country it no longer lives in. The radio, sat nav, TV, toll reader, warning messages and paperwork were all built for Japan. Most fixes are cheap, and none of them mean you bought a lemon. Read more...
How to Check Japanese Recalls on Your Imported Car (in English)
Enter your frame number (for example ZWR80-0123456) into JASPA's Japanese recall search or your maker's own frame-number search, listed on Japan's transport ministry (MLIT) site, and use your browser's translate button. Look for 未実施 (not done), which means work is still outstanding, and remember an Read more...
How to Avoid Fake Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! Sealed Products on eBay
To avoid fake or resealed Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! boxes on eBay, check recent sold prices (a box listed well below them is the biggest warning sign), check the seller's history, ask for real photos with the wrap visible, film the unboxing in one take, and pay through eBay so the Money Back Guarantee a Read more...
Buying Snow Peak and Japanese Camping Gear in Australia: New, Used or eBay?
If you want a new, current Snow Peak item and an Australian store has it in stock, buy it here for local warranty and easy returns. eBay earns its place for the rest: gear that's sold out locally, discontinued, good value used, or cheap enough overseas that the landed cost (price + shipping + 10% GS Read more...
Kei Truck Parts Guide: Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet and Honda Acty
Buy kei truck parts by the chassis code at the start of your frame number (for example DA63T for a Carry, S500P for a Hijet or HA4 for an Acty), because each code points to a generation and usually an engine with its own filters, plugs and belts. Search eBay with the chassis code plus the part, try Read more...
Suzuki Jimny Parts: JB64 vs JB74 (and Which Parts Swap)
The kei JB64 (660 cc R06A turbo) and the 1.5 L JB74 (K15B) share many interior parts, some lights and many chassis design features, but engine parts, bumpers, wheel-arch flares, front panels, wheels and tyres are usually different. Match the part number or make sure the listing names your exact mode Read more...
Japanese Import Radio, Reverse Camera and Steering Controls: How to Fix Them
Your Japanese import's radio only finds a few stations because Japan's FM band stops at 90 MHz (95 MHz on newer radios), while Australia and the UK use 87.5–108 MHz and New Zealand 88–108 MHz. The cheapest fix is an FM band expander (not recommended in New Zealand); the complete fix is a new head un Read more...
Toyota Voxy & Noah 80 Series Parts Guide (ZRR80, ZWR80)
The 80-series Voxy, Noah and Esquire are the same van underneath, so most mechanical parts are shared, while bumpers, grilles, headlights and some trim are badge-specific. Search by chassis code (ZRR80 2.0 petrol 2WD, ZRR85 4WD, ZWR80 1.8 hybrid), and for body parts also match the W or G letter and Read more...
Nissan Elgrand E51 & E52 Parts Guide for Import Owners
Identify your Elgrand from the chassis code at the start of the frame number: E51/NE51/ME51/MNE51 for the E51 (2002–2010) and PE52/PNE52/TE52/TNE52 for the E52 (2010–2026), where an N usually marks 4WD. Then search by chassis code and engine code (VQ35DE, VQ25DE or QR25DE), and send the seller your Read more...
Toyota Estima Parts in Australia: What You Can Share With the Tarago
Yes, many parts for a 2WD ACR50 or GSR50 Estima cross over from the Australian Tarago (ACR50R/GSR50R), especially engine service parts and many brake, suspension and steering parts, but always check by part number. 4WD (ACR55/GSR55), hybrid (AHR20), aero, lighting, trim, power door and audio parts o Read more...
Toyota Aqua NHP10 Parts Guide: What to Replace and Where to Find It
The NHP10 Aqua is the same basic car as the Prius c sold new in Australia and New Zealand, with the same 1NZ-FXE hybrid engine, so search "Prius c" as well as "Aqua" and "NHP10" for service parts. On a newly landed Aqua, check the hybrid battery cooling fan intake (vacuum it, don't blow it) and the Read more...
Toyota Alphard & Vellfire Parts Guide: 20 and 30 Series Imports
Identify your Alphard or Vellfire by chassis code (AGH30, GGH30 or AYH30 for the 30 series; ANH20, GGH20 or ATH20 for the 20 series) and build date, not the badge. The 2AR-FE, 2GR and 2AZ-FE engines were also used in Australian-market Toyotas, so some engine service parts may be found locally by par Read more...
How to Read a Japanese Model Code (Like DAA-AYH30W) and Find Parts That Fit
A Japanese model code like DAA-AYH30W has three parts: an emissions prefix (DAA-), the chassis code (AYH30), which identifies the platform and usually the engine, and a variant suffix (W). Drop the prefix, search eBay with the chassis code plus the part, and send the seller your frame number and bui Read more...
Buying RB26 Parts on eBay: OEM Part Numbers and How to Avoid Fakes
Search eBay by the exact Nissan part number (for example 11044-05U16 for the RB26 head gasket), not by description, and ask about supersessions if a seller lists a different number. Treat "ARP" studs priced far below everyone else as likely fakes, read "OEM style" as "not genuine", and compare total Read more...
Toyota Hilux Maintenance Parts: What to Replace and Where to Find It
The Hilux parts you'll buy most often are the diesel fuel filter (the most important one on a diesel), oil filter, engine and cabin air filters, front brake pads and wiper blades. To get the right one, match your model year and build date, engine code (such as 1GD-FTV or 2GD-FTV), drive type and bod Read more...
The First Parts to Replace After Importing a JDM Car to Australia
Assume nothing has been serviced and do a baseline service in your first few weeks: engine oil and filter first, then coolant, hoses and radiator cap, the timing belt (if your engine has one and there's no proof it was done), brakes and brake fluid, tyre date codes, and the filters, plugs, wipers an Read more...