S13 · PS13
Nissan Silvia S13 import check
S13 is the factory model code for the Nissan Silvia S13, built for the Japanese market from 1988 to 1993. Other versions carry PS13. Every genuine car has a chassis (frame) number that starts with its code, such as S13-. That number is the one thing that links its Japanese history to its UK records.
S13 at a glance
- Model code
- S13
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Silvia (S13)
- Body
- 2-door coupe
- Built
- 1988 to 1993
- Engine
- CA18DET (1809 cc turbo petrol) or CA18DE (1809 cc naturally aspirated petrol)
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Japanese trims
- J’s, Q’s, K’s, Club Selection
- Chassis number format
- S13-nnnnnn
From our own model library, compiled from public sources and not yet checked against a second source. UK records sometimes drop the hyphen or the leading zeros of the serial; our check allows for that.
Reading the S13 chassis code
- S13 is the 1.8 CA18 car (1988–1991); PS13 the 2.0 SR20 car (1991–1993).
- K’s is the turbo grade; J’s and Q’s are non-turbo.
| Code | What it is | Engine | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| S13 | Silvia (S13) | CA18DET / CA18DE | 1988–1993 |
| PS13 | 2.0 SR20, from 1991 | SR20DET / SR20DE | 1991–1993 |
Have a chassis number? The chassis decoder reads it for you.
Is it a genuine S13?
An S13 Silvia with an SR20 engine should be PS13. On an S13 chassis it has been swapped, which is fine if declared.
Known problems to check on an S13
- Drift and track use is common: check for crash repairs, seam welding and bent chassis legs or floor
- Rust in the rear arches, sills and strut tops
- CA18: ask for the timing belt history; check for oil leaks
- Engine swaps (often an SR20) are common: the engine number on the V5C should match
These are common issues for the model, not facts about any particular car. Ask the seller about each one.
Before you buy
- Most have been modified: ask for a list of changes, receipts, and whether the insurer has been told
- Check the strut tops and front chassis legs from under the bonnet
The S13 on a Japanese auction sheet
- The sheet names the car シルビア (Silvia). Grade 1 or *** is common for drift cars.
- An R or RA grade means repaired accident damage. Ask for photos of the repair and have the structure checked.
Most imports were bought at a Japanese auction, and the inspector’s sheet records the grade, mileage and every mark on the body. Ask the seller for it, then run it through our auction sheet translator to read it in English and check the chassis number and mileage against the UK record.
Recalls in Japan for the S13 family
Japan publishes every recall with the chassis numbers it covers. Run a recall check with the car’s chassis number to see whether any apply to it.
MOT record in the UK
Nissan Silvia
- 16% of 1,002 first MOT tests failed in 2024 and 2025, 51% lower than the UK average for cars of the same age.
- Most common advisory: Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge (6.7% of tests).
- Most common failure: Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid (1.8% of tests).
From DVSA’s anonymised MOT data, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Kilometres, miles and the first UK MOT
An S13 sold new in Japan has a speedometer in kilometres. When it is imported, the speedometer is either converted to miles or left in km, and the first UK MOT should record whichever the dial shows. Mistakes here are common, and they’re where mileage problems hide.
We put the Japanese auction mileage and every UK MOT reading on one timeline and check the crossing: whether the readings agree after converting, whether the km figure was written down as miles, and whether the first UK reading is lower than the car had already done in Japan. See an illustrative example.
Questions
What is the chassis code for the Nissan Silvia S13?
S13, with PS13 for other engines or drive layouts. A Japanese-market Nissan Silvia S13 has a frame number that starts with its code, then a hyphen and a serial number. You’ll find it on the V5C and on a plate in the engine bay.
Which years was the S13 built?
From 1988 to 1993, with the CA18DET (1809 cc turbo petrol) or CA18DE (1809 cc naturally aspirated petrol) engines and RWD layout.
What should I check when buying an S13?
Drift and track use is common: check for crash repairs, seam welding and bent chassis legs or floor. Rust in the rear arches, sills and strut tops. CA18: ask for the timing belt history; check for oil leaks. Engine swaps (often an SR20) are common: the engine number on the V5C should match. Most have been modified: ask for a list of changes, receipts, and whether the insurer has been told. Check the strut tops and front chassis legs from under the bonnet. Also check that the Japanese auction mileage lines up with the first UK MOT, because km and miles are easily mixed up.