The Nissan Stagea is the estate car that Skyline fans end up buying when they need a boot. It shares a lot with the Skylines of its day, it was never sold new in the UK, and the rare 260RS has the same RB26 engine as a GT-R. Every Stagea is now well over 10 years old, which keeps the route to UK plates simple.
- Body
- Five-door estate, rear or four-wheel drive
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Test
- MOT, as every Stagea is over 10
Two generations
Stageas come in two families. Both are right-hand drive from the factory, as Japan drives on the left like we do, so there is no conversion of the steering to think about.
| Feature | WC34 | 260RS (WC34) | M35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built | Late 1996 to 2001 | 1997 to 2001 | 2001 to 2007 |
| Engine | RB straight six, with or without a turbo | RB26DETT twin-turbo | VQ V6, with or without a turbo |
| In brief | Skyline-era running gear in an estate | Autech-built, with GT-R drivetrain | Based on the V35 Skyline, more modern inside |
| UK test | MOT | MOT | MOT |
| Tax today | 10% duty + 20% VAT, check the date | 10% duty + 20% VAT | 10% duty + 20% VAT |
The WC34 is the one most enthusiasts want, with RB engines that tuners know well and a choice of rear or four-wheel drive. The M35 moved to Nissan's V6 engines and is the easier, more modern car to live with day to day.
The 260RS
The 260RS was built by Autech, Nissan's in-house tuning arm, using the RB26DETT engine, manual gearbox and four-wheel drive from the R33 GT-R. It is far rarer than a standard Stagea and priced to match, so it is worth being sure you are buying the real thing. A WC34 with a GT-R engine swapped in, or with 260RS badges and a body kit, is a different car at a different price.
What to check before you buy
Plenty of Stageas have been tuned, and many were family cars that did the school run before they did track days. A clean auction sheet and a straight history matter more than the power figure.
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 9 done
Our guide to Japanese auction grades explains how to read the sheet, and the Japanese export certificate guide covers the one document every car from Japan needs. If the car has been tuned, read importing a modified car before you commit, and tell your insurer about every change.
Clean air zones
Every Stagea is petrol. London and the charging Clean Air Zones want Euro 4 on a petrol car, and an older Japanese import often has no Euro standard on record. If you drive in one of those zones, check the position before you buy. Our guide to ULEZ and imported cars explains what evidence helps.
The test depends on age
GOV.UK exempts cars over 10 years old from vehicle approval, so they take an MOT instead of an IVA test. The last M35s were built in 2007, so no Stagea needs an IVA.
| Age of the Stagea | What it needs |
|---|---|
| 10 to 40 years | An MOT, with a rear fog light if one is not fitted |
| Over 40 years | No MOT needed, but no Stagea is that old yet |
Shipping a Stagea
From Japan, RoRo is the usual route and costs less than a container. The car has to run and drive, and it should be empty, with no belongings or loose parts inside. That includes spare wheels and tuning parts in the boot, which are tempting in an estate. If the car does not run, or you want the extra care for a 260RS, a container is the answer.
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only. Door to door, the journey is usually about 5 to 8 weeks. Bought at auction? The auction agent usually handles getting the car to the port.
Import tax
A Stagea from Japan pays 10% import duty and 20% import VAT, worked out on the price plus the shipping, with the VAT charged on top of the duty. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty instead. The first WC34s were built in late 1996, so the earliest cars are only now reaching that line. If you are looking at one of those, check the build date with us, as a few months can make a big difference to the bill. The 5% VAT rules guide explains what counts.
If you are moving to the UK, have lived abroad for at least 12 months and have owned the Stagea for at least 6, Transfer of Residence can bring it in with no VAT or duty. The import tax calculator runs your own numbers, and our cost of importing from Japan guide works through a full example.
UK changes
Because the Stagea is right-hand drive, the list is short. A car without a rear fog light needs one fitted in the right position. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance, which keeps the work down. We do the work in-house, then the MOT, and our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register the car within 10 working days. For the wider route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan, and if you are weighing it up against a coupe, the Skyline GT-R guide.
Questions people ask
Can I import a Nissan Stagea to the UK?
Yes. A Stagea follows the same route as any car from Japan: shipping, customs, a rear fog light if needed, an MOT, then DVLA registration.
Does a Stagea need an IVA test?
No. Every Stagea, including the last M35s from 2007, is over 10 years old, so it takes an MOT instead.
How much tax will I pay on a Stagea?
Usually 10% duty and 20% VAT on the price plus shipping. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty, and only the very earliest WC34s from late 1996 are reaching that age now.
How do I know a 260RS is genuine?
Check the chassis plate and model code against the export certificate, not just the badges. Engine swaps and replica kits are common, so ask for proof before you pay.
Is a Stagea ULEZ compliant?
It depends on whether there is evidence it meets Euro 4. Many older Japanese imports have no Euro standard on record, so check before you buy if you drive in London or a charging Clean Air Zone.
Found a Stagea you like? Send us the listing or auction lot on the quote form and we will price the whole job.
