JZX90 · JZX91 · JZX93 · GX90
Toyota Mark II X90, Chaser and Cresta import check
JZX90 is the factory model code for the Toyota Mark II X90, also sold in Japan as the Chaser and Cresta, built for the Japanese market from 1992 to 1996. Other versions carry JZX91, JZX93 and GX90. Every genuine car has a chassis (frame) number that starts with its code, such as JZX90-. That number is the one thing that links its Japanese history to its UK records.
JZX90 at a glance
- Model code
- JZX90
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Mark II (X90)
- Also sold as
- Chaser, Cresta
- Body
- 4-door saloon
- Built
- 1992 to 1996
- Engine
- 1JZ-GTE (2491 cc twin turbo petrol) or 1JZ-GE (2492 cc naturally aspirated petrol)
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Japanese trims
- Tourer V, Tourer S, Grande, Grande G, Chaser Avante, Cresta Roulant
- Chassis number format
- JZX90-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 JZX90 chassis code
- JZX is a JZ straight-six (2.5 1JZ or 3.0 2JZ) and GX the 2.0 1G-FE.
- JZX90 is the 2.5 with rear-wheel drive, JZX91 the 3.0 and JZX93 the four-wheel-drive 2.5.
| Code | What it is | Engine | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| JZX90 | Mark II (X90) | 1JZ-GTE / 1JZ-GE | 1992–1996 |
| JZX91 | 3.0 straight-six | 2JZ-GE | 1992–1996 |
| JZX93 | 2.5, four-wheel driveNot yet confirmed | 1JZ-GE | 1992–1996 |
| GX90 | 2.0 straight-six | 1G-FE | 1992–1996 |
Have a chassis number? The chassis decoder reads it for you.
Is it a genuine JZX90?
Mark II, Chaser and Cresta share every X90 code. Only the Tourer V has the 1JZ-GTE twin turbo, but Tourer S and Grande cars are JZX90 too, so the code can’t prove a Tourer V. Check the engine and the auction sheet’s grade line.
Known problems to check on a JZX90
- Drift and track use is common: check for crash repairs, seam welding and bent chassis legs or floor
- 1JZ-GTE twin-turbo hoses, oil seals and boost leaks
- Rust in the rear arches, sills and boot floor
- Most have been modified: ask for a list of changes, receipts, and whether the insurer has been told
- A factory manual (R154 five-speed) adds value, so manual swaps are common: check it matches the paperwork
These are common issues for the model, not facts about any particular car. Ask the seller about each one.
Before you buy
- Look for the twin intercooler pipes and turbo plumbing of a real Tourer V
- Ask for a compression test on high-mileage engines
The JZX90 on a Japanese auction sheet
- The sheet names the car マークII (Mark II), チェイサー (Chaser) or クレスタ (Cresta), with ツアラーV for Tourer V.
- F5 or 5F in the transmission box means a manual; AT or FA means automatic.
- 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 JZX90 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 Mark II, Chaser and Mark X
- 13% of 916 first MOT tests failed in 2024 and 2025, 60% 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 (8.1% 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
A JZX90 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 Mark II X90?
JZX90, with JZX91, JZX93 and GX90 for other engines or drive layouts. A Japanese-market Toyota Mark II X90 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 JZX90 built?
From 1992 to 1996, with the 1JZ-GTE (2491 cc twin turbo petrol) or 1JZ-GE (2492 cc naturally aspirated petrol) engines and RWD layout.
What should I check when buying a JZX90?
Drift and track use is common: check for crash repairs, seam welding and bent chassis legs or floor. 1JZ-GTE twin-turbo hoses, oil seals and boost leaks. Rust in the rear arches, sills and boot floor. Most have been modified: ask for a list of changes, receipts, and whether the insurer has been told. A factory manual (R154 five-speed) adds value, so manual swaps are common: check it matches the paperwork. Look for the twin intercooler pipes and turbo plumbing of a real Tourer V. Ask for a compression test on high-mileage engines. Also check that the Japanese auction mileage lines up with the first UK MOT, because km and miles are easily mixed up.
Is the Chaser and Cresta the same as the Toyota Mark II X90?
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.