ANH20 · ANH25 · GGH20 · GGH25 · ATH20
Toyota Alphard 20 series and Vellfire import check
ANH20 is the factory model code for the Toyota Alphard 20 series, also sold in Japan as the Vellfire, built for the Japanese market from 2008 to 2015. Other versions carry ANH25, GGH20, GGH25 and ATH20. Every genuine car has a chassis (frame) number that starts with its code, such as ANH20-. That number is the one thing that links its Japanese history to its UK records.
ANH20 at a glance
- Model code
- ANH20
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Alphard (20 series)
- Also sold as
- Vellfire
- Body
- MPV
- Built
- 2008 to 2015
- Engine
- 2AZ-FE (2362 cc naturally aspirated petrol)
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Japanese trims
- 240X, 240S, 240G, 350S, 350G, Vellfire 2.4Z, Vellfire 3.5Z
- Chassis number format
- ANH20-nnnnnnn
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 ANH20 chassis code
- ANH is the 2.4 four-cylinder, GGH the 3.5 V6 and ATH the 2.4 hybrid.
- 20 is front-wheel drive and 25 is four-wheel drive. The ATH20 hybrid is always four-wheel drive (E-Four).
- Toyota’s model type adds a body letter that the chassis number leaves out: the auction sheet may say DBA-ANH20W, but the chassis number reads ANH20-0123456.
| Code | What it is | Engine | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANH20 | Alphard (20 series) | 2AZ-FE | 2008–2015 |
| ANH25 | 2.4, four-wheel drive | 2AZ-FE | 2008–2015 |
| GGH20 | 3.5 V6 | 2GR-FE | 2008–2015 |
| GGH25 | 3.5 V6, four-wheel drive | 2GR-FE | 2008–2015 |
| ATH20 | Hybrid, from 2011 | 2AZ-FXE | 2011–2015 |
Have a chassis number? The chassis decoder reads it for you.
Is it a genuine ANH20?
Alphard and Vellfire share every 20-series chassis code, so the badge doesn’t change the code. A hybrid must be ATH20: an Alphard or Vellfire advertised as a hybrid on an ANH or GGH chassis isn’t one.
Known problems to check on an ANH20
- Power sliding door and tailgate motors, cables and catches: run each one through a full open and close
- 2AZ-FE oil consumption, and head-bolt threads in the block that can pull out and cause coolant loss
- Rear air conditioning, the roof-mounted rear screen and every seat motor
- Japanese-market radio and sat-nav need a band expander or replacement in the UK
These are common issues for the model, not facts about any particular car. Ask the seller about each one.
Before you buy
- Ask whether the speedometer has been converted to mph, and when, so the MOT mileages make sense
- Check the third-row seats slide and fold, and that the rear seat belts all latch
- Ask for a hybrid battery health check, and whether the battery has ever been replaced (ATH20 only)
The ANH20 on a Japanese auction sheet
- Alphard and Vellfire share chassis codes, so the sheet’s model name tells you which it is: アルファード (Alphard) or ヴェルファイア (Vellfire).
- The equipment line lists power doors, sunroof and rear screen. Missing kit is cheaper to price in now than to retrofit.
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 ANH20 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
Toyota Alphard
- 27% of 22,431 first MOT tests failed in 2024 and 2025, 24% 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 (15% of tests).
- Most common failure: Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (3.1% of tests).
Toyota Vellfire
- 16% of 5,924 first MOT tests failed in 2024 and 2025, 55% 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 (7.3% of tests).
- Most common failure: Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.3% of tests).
From DVSA’s anonymised MOT data, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Kilometres, miles and the first UK MOT
An ANH20 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 Toyota Alphard 20 series?
ANH20, with ANH25, GGH20, GGH25 and ATH20 for other engines or drive layouts. A Japanese-market Toyota Alphard 20 series 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 ANH20 built?
From 2008 to 2015, with the 2AZ-FE (2362 cc naturally aspirated petrol) engine and FWD layout.
What should I check when buying an ANH20?
Power sliding door and tailgate motors, cables and catches: run each one through a full open and close. 2AZ-FE oil consumption, and head-bolt threads in the block that can pull out and cause coolant loss. Rear air conditioning, the roof-mounted rear screen and every seat motor. Japanese-market radio and sat-nav need a band expander or replacement in the UK. Ask whether the speedometer has been converted to mph, and when, so the MOT mileages make sense. Check the third-row seats slide and fold, and that the rear seat belts all latch. Ask for a hybrid battery health check, and whether the battery has ever been replaced (ATH20 only). Also check that the Japanese auction mileage lines up with the first UK MOT, because km and miles are easily mixed up.
Is the Vellfire the same as the Toyota Alphard 20 series?
Yes, under the skin. Japanese makers sold some models under more than one name through different dealer chains. They share chassis codes, so the code can’t tell them apart: the model name on the auction sheet and the badges can.