Nissan Leaf Parts Guide (ZE0, AZE0, ZE1): The Car With No Oil Filter Still Needs Parts

This guide contains affiliate links to eBay. See the note at the end.

Quick answer: 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. The parts you'll actually buy are the 12V battery, cabin filter, brake pads, wipers and bulbs, because there is no oil, no spark plug and no exhaust to fix.

Parts in this guide, with live eBay listings

Nissan Leaf Cabin Air Filter
from 22.29 AUD · 30 live listings →Nissan Leaf Front Brake Pads
from 47.41 AUD · 30 live listings →Nissan Leaf Wiper Blades
from 27.90 AUD · 34 live listings →Nissan Leaf LED Headlight Bulbs
from 69.99 AUD · 19 live listings →Nissan Leaf Floor Mats
from 65.00 AUD · 31 live listings →FM Radio Band Expander for Japanese Import Cars
from 17.43 AUD · 5 live listings →

Lowest prices across eBay AU, US, UK and DE as of 23 Oct 2026. Prices change, check eBay. Ad / affiliate links.

The Leaf is the ideal car for people who hate servicing. No oil changes, no timing belt, no exhaust rattles. Then one cold morning it refuses to switch on, the dash lights up like a fruit machine, and you discover the most important part in your electric car is a small, ordinary 12 V battery. Welcome to Leaf ownership.

Which Leaf do you have?

Your export certificate or compliance plate shows a model code such as ZAA-AZE0 or ZAA-ZE1. The letters before the dash are an emissions prefix. The part after it is what you search with.

Sources: Wikipedia: Nissan Leaf (first generation)), Wikipedia: Nissan Leaf (second generation)), and the Kurumaerabi ZAA-AZE0 catalogue for the 30 kWh timing in Japan. Not sure what your full code means? Paste it into the free model code lookup or read our guide to Japanese model codes.

The trap: ZE0 and AZE0 look almost the same from the outside. A part listed for "2011 to 2017 Leaf" may fit both, or it may only fit one. For anything electrical, the code matters more than the looks.

Is a Japanese Leaf the same as a UK or US Leaf?

Same family, different details. The first-generation Leaf was built in Japan, the US (from 2013) and the UK (from 2013), and each market got its own trims and options. Japanese cars have Japanese-language navigation and a Japanese FM band, and many option packs were different.

One detail New Zealand owners know well: the EV Database NZ notes that Japanese-import 40 kWh Leafs can have a 3.3 kW or 6.6 kW on-board charger, depending on which option the first buyer paid for in Japan (EVDB NZ). If you're buying a charging cable or wallbox expecting fast home charging, check which one you have first.

The parts a Leaf actually needs

No oil filter, no spark plugs, no air filter for the engine (there isn't one). The shopping list is short, which is the nice part.

Brake pad tip: a Leaf does most of its slowing with regenerative braking, so pads tend to last a long time. That sounds great until the brakes have sat lightly used for years and the discs rust or the slide pins stick. If a Leaf feels grabby or noisy, the pads may be fine and the hardware may not.

Why does my Leaf say it won't start when the big battery is full?

Because the car needs its 12 V battery to wake up before the high-voltage system can switch on. If the 12 V battery is weak, the car may not go to "Ready", even with a full traction battery. Nissan Japan's own help page explains how to jump-start a Leaf when the 12 V battery is flat (Nissan FAQ).

How to buy the right one:

1. Read the label on your current battery. Copy the size code and note which side the positive terminal is on.
2. Search eBay with that code, not just "Leaf battery". "Leaf battery" will mostly show you traction battery modules and very expensive things.
3. Check the battery type. Some replacement listings specify AGM or standard flooded batteries. If yours is one type, ask a mechanic before switching.
4. Watch the postage. Lead-acid batteries are heavy and often restricted for overseas shipping, so a local seller is usually the better deal.

What about the traction battery?

Buying a used Leaf traction battery module on eBay is possible. Fitting one is a high-voltage job for a trained EV technician, not a weekend project. If you're checking a used Leaf's battery health, the EV Database NZ has a plain-English Leaf battery guide. We stick to the parts you can safely swap yourself.

How to search eBay for Leaf parts

1. Start with the code: "AZE0 cabin filter", "ZE1 front brake pads", "ZE0 wiper blades".
2. Then try years: many sellers outside Japan list by model year instead, for example "Leaf 2013-2017 brake pads" for an AZE0.
3. Look for a Nissan part number in the listing and search that number on its own. A part number match beats any model name.
4. Compare the landed price, including postage and GST or VAT. See our eBay car parts myths for why the cheapest listing isn't always cheapest.

The import-only fixes

Every Japanese Leaf arrives with Japanese navigation menus and a radio that may not find your local FM stations. Start with the week-one surprises guide, then:

• FM band expanders
• English owner's manuals
• Japanese head unit, radio and camera guide
• Check Japanese recalls by frame number

See all Nissan Leaf Parts with live eBay prices →

FAQ

What is the difference between Nissan Leaf ZE0, AZE0 and ZE1?

ZE0 is the original first-generation Leaf (2010 to 2012, 24 kWh). AZE0 is the updated first generation (2013 to 2017) with a 24 kWh or 30 kWh battery. ZE1 is the second generation, launched in Japan in October 2017 with a 40 kWh battery and later a 62 kWh e+ version.

Does a Nissan Leaf need an oil filter or spark plugs?

No. The Leaf is fully electric, so it has no engine oil, oil filter or spark plugs. Its regular service parts are the cabin filter, brake pads, wipers, bulbs, brake fluid and the 12 V battery.

Why won't my Leaf start when the main battery is charged?

The Leaf needs its small 12 V battery to power up before the high-voltage system switches on. A weak or flat 12 V battery can stop the car going to Ready even when the traction battery is full.

Do UK or US Leaf parts fit a Japanese-import Leaf?

Many service parts are shared within the same generation, but options and electrical parts can differ by market. Match by generation code and Nissan part number, and confirm with the seller using your frame number.

How do I know if my Japanese Leaf has a 6.6 kW charger?

Japanese-import 40 kWh Leafs can have a 3.3 kW or 6.6 kW on-board charger depending on the original options. Check the specification plate or ask a Leaf specialist with your frame number before buying charging equipment.

More electric and hybrid imports: Grey Import Family Cars, Nissan parts and the Toyota Aqua guide.

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.