S14 · CS14
Nissan Silvia S14 import check
S14 is the factory model code for the Nissan Silvia S14, built for the Japanese market from 1993 to 1998. Other versions carry CS14. Every genuine car has a chassis (frame) number that starts with its code, such as S14-. That number is the one thing that links its Japanese history to its UK records.
S14 at a glance
- Model code
- S14
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Silvia (S14)
- Body
- 2-door coupe
- Built
- 1993 to 1998
- Engine
- SR20DET (1998 cc turbo petrol) or SR20DE (1998 cc naturally aspirated petrol)
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Japanese trims
- J’s, Q’s, K’s, K’s Aero
- Chassis number format
- S14-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 S14 chassis code
- K’s is the turbo grade; J’s and Q’s are non-turbo. Facelifted (kouki) cars from 1996 have the sharper headlights.
| Code | What it is | Engine | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| S14 | Silvia (S14) | SR20DET / SR20DE | 1993–1998 |
| CS14 | Reported for some gradesNot yet confirmed | SR20DET / SR20DE | 1993–1998 |
Have a chassis number? The chassis decoder reads it for you.
Is it a genuine S14?
K’s turbo and non-turbo Silvias share the S14 code, so check for the SR20DET and intercooler.
Known problems to check on an S14
- Drift and track use is common: check for crash repairs, seam welding and bent chassis legs or floor
- Rust in the rear arches and sills
- SR20DET timing-chain tensioner rattle
- Most have been modified: ask for a list of changes, receipts, and whether the insurer has been told
These are common issues for the model, not facts about any particular car. Ask the seller about each one.
Before you buy
- Early (zenki) and facelifted (kouki) front ends are often swapped, so the face doesn’t date the car: use the registration dates
The S14 on a Japanese auction sheet
- The sheet names the car シルビア (Silvia).
- 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 S14 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 S14 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.
What we haven’t confirmed yet
We only state what we’re confident of. We haven’t yet checked these points about the Nissan Silvia S14 against a second source, so treat them with care:
- Whether some S14 grades use a CS14 code.
Know the answer? Email [email protected].
Questions
What is the chassis code for the Nissan Silvia S14?
S14, with CS14 for other engines or drive layouts. A Japanese-market Nissan Silvia S14 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 S14 built?
From 1993 to 1998, with the SR20DET (1998 cc turbo petrol) or SR20DE (1998 cc naturally aspirated petrol) engines and RWD layout.
What should I check when buying an S14?
Drift and track use is common: check for crash repairs, seam welding and bent chassis legs or floor. Rust in the rear arches and sills. SR20DET timing-chain tensioner rattle. Most have been modified: ask for a list of changes, receipts, and whether the insurer has been told. Early (zenki) and facelifted (kouki) front ends are often swapped, so the face doesn’t date the car: use the registration dates. Also check that the Japanese auction mileage lines up with the first UK MOT, because km and miles are easily mixed up.