This guide contains affiliate links to eBay. See the note at the end.
Quick answer: 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 Then search eBay for the number with and without hyphens, and check whether it has been superseded by a newer number.
Searching eBay for "Toyota Alphard brake pads" is like shouting "Dave!" in a football stadium. Lots of Daves will turn around. Most of them are not your Dave. A part number is your Dave's phone number.
Why doesn't the model name work for imports?
Because one Japanese model name can cover several generations, engines, drive layouts and facelifts, and sellers outside Japan often describe parts using their local version of the car. A part number cuts through all of that. If the number on the listing matches the number for your car, the model name in the title doesn't matter much.
It works the other way too: sellers who quote a genuine part number are usually sellers who know what they're selling.
Where do you find the part number?
1. On the old part
Filters, bulbs, wiper refills, sensors and many plastic parts have a number printed, moulded or on a sticker. Take a clear photo before the old one goes in the bin. Aftermarket brands print their own numbers, which you can still search, but the genuine (OEM) number is the most useful.
2. In an online parts catalogue, using your frame number
Manufacturers' electronic parts catalogues (EPCs) list every part for a vehicle, and several websites make them searchable by frame number for many Japan-market cars. Owners on forums such as IH8MUD describe looking up a Toyota by frame number in an EPC, writing down the part number, then shopping for that number. Parts sellers that show fitment by frame, such as Amayama, still say they can't guarantee 100% compatibility, so treat a catalogue as strong evidence, not a promise.
Your frame number is on the export certificate and on a plate in the engine bay. On Japanese cars it looks like AYH30-0012345 (model code, then serial), rather than a 17-character VIN. Not sure which part is the model code? See how to read Japanese model codes or try the free model code lookup.
3. From a seller or dealer
Message an eBay seller your frame number (not just the model) and ask them to confirm the part number. Good sellers of Japanese parts do this all the time. A dealer parts counter can also look it up, even if they won't sell you the import-only part.
What do Japanese part numbers look like?
| Maker | Typical look | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota / Lexus | 5 + 5 characters | 90915-YZZE1 (oil filter) | Often written without the hyphen: 90915YZZE1 |
| Honda | 5 + 3 + 3 characters | 15400-PLM-A02 | Owner guides describe the middle group as a code for the model the part was first used on |
| Nissan | 5 + 5 characters | 15208-65F0E | The full string, including letters, matters |
Sources: the Toyota example appears as the manufacturer part number across eBay listings; the Honda layout is described by enthusiasts on Outdoor King forum and the ClassicCmp mailing list, not by Honda itself. Use these patterns to recognise a number, not to guess one.
Watch the last characters. Two numbers that differ by one letter can be different parts. In a Toyota Owners Club thread, owners point out that 90915-YZZJ2 is a longer filter and not the same as 90915-YZZJ1. Close is not the same.
Honda's middle code is not your car. If a Honda part number has a model code in the middle that isn't your model, that's normal: the part may simply have been used first on another car. Search the full number.
What does "superseded" mean?
Makers replace part numbers over time. The old number becomes superseded by a new one, and eBay listings often show both, for example "replaces 90915-YZZA1". When you search, try your number and any newer number the catalogue or listing mentions. A superseded number isn't wrong, it's just older.
How to search eBay with a part number
- Search the number with the hyphen, then without it. Sellers write it both ways.
- Read the listing's fitment table and description, not just the title. Our eBay car parts myths guide explains why the "This fits your vehicle" box doesn't know your Japanese frame number.
- Genuine or aftermarket? Aftermarket listings often show the OEM number they replace. That's useful, but check the brand and the measurements too.
- Compare the landed price with postage and GST or VAT. Our product pages show eBay AU, US, UK and DE side by side so you can see the cheapest delivered option.
Quick routes for popular imports
Each guide below explains the codes for that car and links to live listings for the common service parts:
- Toyota Alphard & Vellfire · Toyota Aqua · Toyota Voxy & Noah · Toyota Estima
- Toyota Prius & Prius Alpha · Toyota Vitz · Honda Fit / Jazz
- Nissan Elgrand · Nissan Serena · Nissan Note e-Power · Nissan Leaf
- Mazda Bongo Friendee · Suzuki Jimny · Kei trucks
FAQ
How do I find the part number for a Japanese import car?
Check the old part for a printed number, look up your frame number in an online parts catalogue, or send your frame number to a seller or dealer and ask them to confirm the genuine part number. Then search for that number.
Is a frame number the same as a VIN?
Japan-market cars usually have a frame number such as AYH30-0012345 instead of a 17-character VIN. It is on the export certificate and a plate in the engine bay, and parts catalogues and sellers use it to identify the exact car.
Should I search eBay with or without the hyphen?
Try both. Sellers write part numbers like 90915-YZZE1 and 90915YZZE1, and eBay search may not treat them as the same.
What does superseded mean on a car part?
It means the manufacturer replaced the old part number with a new one. The newer number is usually the one to buy, and listings often mention both.
Do aftermarket parts have the same part number as genuine parts?
No. Aftermarket brands use their own numbers, but many listings quote the genuine OEM number they replace. Use it as a guide and check the brand's own fitment information.
Ad / Affiliate links: YOU SHOULD, SHA. Parts links to eBay. We earn a commission from eBay on qualifying purchases made through those links, at no extra cost to you. We are not eBay and not the seller. Always confirm fitment with the seller or a qualified mechanic.