Question Concerning vehicle history in j-pan

[mtopxsecret6]

Gday guys. I have two questions for the fellas in j-pan. I was wondering, if i gave you the car details, eg chassis number engin number etc. How hard would it be to track down the original and true history of a car? Ie being my car. Here in aus it is easy to do, so im thinking maybe it could be done there aswell?

Also, as part of the history of the car, what i want is to find out what the original j-pan rego plates were on my car when it was over there? Or, if you have a clear picture of a 32 styline with rego plates? I ask this because i want to make a replica plate for my car, when i enter it into shows etc, and i sorta wanted to have it all original with original plates etc from j-pan.

Thanks for you time fellas.

[DaiOni]

"if i gave you the car details, eg chassis number engin number etc. How hard would it be to track down the original and true history of a car?"

I'm not sure if it's possible, then again, I don't know what you mean by 'history'. If you have the service papers for the car (in a service manual - detailing 5,000km service, etc), then we could tell you the original purchase point.

"what the original j-pan rego plates were on my car when it was over there?"

This, you won't find out - except for the possibility I mention above. The car, given the average life of a japanese car, has probably been across 2 or 3 different prefectures and worn different plates anyway. I think every car I've bought in japan (#4 was bought tonight) has originated in tokyo/chiba.

I've seen people selling japanese plates on ebay - this is your best avenue to source one - unsurprisingly, it is actually a totally illegal procedure (plates have to be handed in when you de-register the car)

good luck

[mtopxsecret6]

Yeah, ok, thanks for that. I was sorta after crash history etc etc. I understand what you mean by the different plates that have possibly been on the car. I guess i'll have to keep looking and find other emans of tracking this information down.

[DaiOni]

"I was sorta after crash history etc"

You definitely won't find that - sellers aren't legally obliged to provide any accident history. This information would only be recorded by insurance companies - IF a claim was made. Bottom line: you won't find this out. If you can't detect it, or a professional can't detect it, then it doesn't matter anyway

[mtopxsecret6]

yeah, ok no worries mate. I tried looking fo rhtose plates, but could not find any.

[dairyboy]

If you got the de-reg paper, you would know what's the last plate the car was wearing..

[mtopxsecret6]

Yeah, no, i dont have that.. just the car itself. Has anybody got a picture of a japanese plate or something? So i can make a replica for when i show my vehicle? Thanks.

[Parag0n]

Sure you can use mine,

It's:

2 Kanji Characters, 300

76-69

[Demon Dave]

don't miss out the "to" と in front of the numbers...

[mtopxsecret6]

Thanks matey, i cant quite see the plate properly, im blind as a bat! well, not really, i just cant see it properly on that angle, and i dont know what im looking for. Is there any chance you wouldnt have a clearer shot? Thanks for your your help so guys.

[Rezz]

These girls just got their "Apple Licence"... just such an occaision to stick their fingers up in defyance!

Sorry ... heres a better pic of a Japanese licence plate:

[mtopxsecret6]

Thanks for your help guys.. really thank you guys alot!

[Parag0n]

What do the numbers mean anyway?

Don't want to start a new thread

[mtopxsecret6]

yes, that i s agood question.. ive always wondered what it meant too.. can anyone enlighten us..?

[Demon Dave]

The top two Kanji are the prefecture where the car is currently registered.

The numbers beside those are a tax code, generally speaking most passengers cars (with the exception of yellow plate 660cc Kei cars) have either a 3xx number or 5xx number. Usually cars with smaller weight and engine capacity have a 5xx number, bigger cars the 3xx number.

Trucks and other specialist vehicles have others such as 1xx or 88 and/or a green license plate.

Below that the plate has a single hiragana letter followed by upto four digit numbers. AFAIK the numbers have no particular meaning, other than they uniquely identify the car.

[Demon Dave]

Q to the other Jap residents : I've been told on numerous occassions that it isn't possible to ask for/buy a personalized number plate...is this true?

[Rezz]

Q to the other Jap residents : I've been told on numerous occassions that it isn't possible to ask for/buy a personalized number plate...is this true?

Good question... Y`know, my Jap friends always say something like "look at that number plate, you can't get those number plates..." when a Yakuza-type Toyota Celsior goes past with those *...9* number plates, like, only one big number on them. Are they personalized plates?

[Evo_Lee]

Yeah I have always wondered that too, like a Diablo with .. .1 or a BNR32 with .. 32 that surely can't be a coincidence?

Dave: 88 are also used for cops...thus any unmarked sedan type car with 88 becareful. Also with tax code, they also include vehicle dimension...wtf the wider the car the more tax you have to pay because you are taking up more road space. Yes I'm bitching because I'm also 300 , the price you pay to have wide tracks and pumped guards.

[Demon Dave]

I think getting a personal plate comes down to either bribes - or knowing someone in the licensing department

[Parag0n]

Anyone want to tell me what prefecture my car comes from? get those magnifying glasses out

Pics here http://www.users.on.net/johnhill/pub/GTR/

Thanks in advance