Overview of the Toyota Land Cruiser 80 VX Limited
This is a January 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 VX Limited, chassis S-HDJ81V, in green with a grey leather interior. It has the 4.2 litre turbo diesel engine, an automatic gearbox and full time 4WD. The odometer on the auction sheet reads 109,270 km, approximately 67,897 miles. The dashboard photograph shows 109,267 km, so the two agree. USS Nagoya & Hokuriku graded it 4 overall with a C interior.
The sheet carries two sales points, Diesel Turbo and Mid series. It also carries a distinctive history. At deregistration the car was on Japanese 8 number plates, the class used for camping cars and special purpose vehicles, and the sheet notes that the camping kit is missing. The Toyota Land Cruiser 80 is among the most sought after of the old Land Cruisers, and a diesel turbo VX Limited with a sunroof and leather is the specification many buyers want.
The Drive Review
The 80 Series was the point where the Land Cruiser stopped being a pure workhorse and became something you could live with every day, without losing the toughness. The HDJ81 uses the 1HD-T, a 4.2 litre straight six turbo diesel. It is not fast. What it offers is torque low in the rev range, a smooth and unhurried pull, and a reputation for covering enormous distances. The tachometer in this car is marked TURBO, and the red line sits at 6,000 rpm. You will rarely go near it.
The chassis is a separate ladder frame with live axles front and rear on coil springs. That gives the 80 a soft, cushioned ride and a high, commanding seating position. It is also a big, heavy vehicle that leans in corners and wants smooth inputs. The full time four wheel drive system with a lockable centre differential is the big strength off road, and on a wet road it adds real security. The automatic suits the character of the engine well. The gear selector in the photographs has an overdrive off lamp in the instrument cluster.
Against a modern SUV, the 80 feels mechanical and upright. The steering is light and slow, the cabin is wide and the view out is excellent. Enthusiasts value it because there is very little between you and the machine. It is easy to work on and carries a deserved reputation for survival.
Auction Details
The car is lot 50013 at USS Nagoya & Hokuriku, listed in the Prime Corner section, and sells on 9 October 2026. The auction start price is ¥1,780,000. The Autoselecta guide bidding range is £5,250 to £13,500. That is an estimated range based on the car and recent results, not a guaranteed purchase price, and there is no promise that the car will sell within it. For reference, 12 similar cars sold at Japanese auctions between £5,217 and £7,802, typically about £5,839. Those are auction results rather than Autoselecta sales, and they include other versions and conditions. The live minimum bid and landed costs are shown in the price panel on this page.
All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction.
Vehicle Specifications
Manufacturer: Toyota. Model: Land Cruiser 80, grade VX Limited, five door wagon, chassis code S-HDJ81V. First registration is January 1993 (Heisei 5). The engine is 4,200 cc and runs on diesel (the sheet says 軽油), turbocharged. Transmission is automatic, and the drive is 4WD. The car is right hand drive and seats five. The exterior is green, original colour with no colour change, colour code 6M1. The interior is grey, with leather marked on the sheet. The frame number is HDJ810031918. Mileage is 109,270 km, approximately 67,897 miles. The recycling deposit is ¥8,250. The inspection expiry box is blank.
Factory Features and Equipment
The sheet marks a sunroof, genuine alloy wheels, power steering, power windows and leather, and lists automatic air conditioning. TV, navigation and airbag are not marked. The photographs show a chrome bull bar with two auxiliary lamps at the front, side steps, mud flaps, a rear tow hitch and the spare wheel carried on the back door. The sheet does not say whether the bull bar, lamps and hitch are dealer or aftermarket additions, so treat their origin as not confirmed. The roof rails are visible on the roof. Spare keys, owner manuals and a maintenance book are not confirmed. The service record book box on the sheet is blank.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The sheet is translated and checked by Autoselecta. The Points to note section says the car was registered on 8 number plates (camping car) at deregistration, and that the camping kit is missing. The inspector's report reads as follows. The cabin is partly dirty and scratched. The seats are worn and cracked. The steering wheel is scuffed. The door mirror paint is faded. Studless winter tyres are fitted. The underside is painted, with rust and corrosion. The wheels are scratched. There are small scratches and small dents.
The sheet does not record engine noise, oil or coolant leaks, transmission faults, warning lights or air conditioning faults, so none of these are confirmed either way. The small scratches and dents are not located on the diagram beyond the marks explained below.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition of the Land Cruiser 80
The bonnet carries W3, an obvious repair or panel wave that may need repainting. The roof is also marked W3, with U2, a medium dent. The left and right front wings are each marked W2, a repair mark or wave. The right front wing also has a trim cover with a small scratch (A1). The windscreen is marked as having stone chips, though the sheet shows this with some uncertainty.
The front bumper has AU1, a small scratch with touch up. The right front door and right rear quarter panel carry the same AU1 mark. The left front, left rear and right rear doors each carry A1, a small scratch. The left rear quarter panel has U2, a medium dent, with a trim cover marked A2 for a medium scratch. The rear, around the back door or rear bumper, is marked A2, a medium scratch, and its exact position is approximate on the sheet. The spare tyre is drawn with no code. The heavy marks on the bonnet and roof are the ones to take seriously, and the photographs show a reasonably straight, glossy body from a distance.
The exterior grade is 4, and overall this is usable enthusiast condition, a solid driver with signs of repair and a well used underside rather than a collector grade car.
Interior Condition
The interior is graded C. The sheet says the cabin is partly dirty and scratched, the seats are worn and cracked and the steering wheel is scuffed. The photographs agree: the driver's seat cushion shows visible creasing and cracking in the grey leather, and the steering wheel is a black leather wheel with stitching. The wood effect centre console, automatic selector, patterned floor mats and instrument cluster are all visible, and the cluster shows the odometer at 109,267 km. Headlining condition, odours and smoke are not mentioned on the sheet.
Japanese Auction Grades
The overall grade of 4 means a good used car with some wear and repair, and the interior grade of C means noticeable wear inside. The exterior grade is 4. The diagram marks above give the detail behind the number.
Model History
The 80 Series Land Cruiser replaced the 60 Series and was sold from 1990 to 1997. The HDJ81 designation covers the 4.2 litre diesel in Japan, and the VX Limited sat near the top of the range. The Mid series label on the sheet places this car in the middle period of production. The 80 also brought coil sprung axles, permanent four wheel drive and a far more refined cabin than earlier models.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The 80 Series is the last of the truly mechanical Land Cruisers, built before electronics took over, and it has a famous reputation for reliability. Right hand drive Japanese market vehicles with the turbo diesel are well regarded for their leather, sunroof and equipment. Clean examples are becoming harder to find, as many were used hard, exported or left to rust. Demand comes from around the world, and the car now qualifies for import into the United States. No price outcome is guaranteed, and this is a vehicle to buy for enjoyment and use.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
Rust is the first priority on any 80 Series. Check the sills, door bottoms, rear wheel arches and chassis rails, and this car's sheet already records a painted underside with rust and corrosion, so a full underbody inspection is essential. The 1HD-T is tough, but it needs regular oil changes and cooling system care. Ask about the timing of any injection pump work and the condition of the turbo and its hoses. Check the automatic gearbox for smooth shifts and the transfer and centre differential for correct operation. Axle seals, steering boxes and suspension bushes are common wear items on a vehicle of this age. On this car, also look at the repaired bonnet and roof, the cracked leather and the camping car history, which may mean fittings were removed from the cabin.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japan offers well documented, right hand drive vehicles with honest inspection sheets and generally lower use of road salt in many regions. An auction sheet like this one gives a clear record of faults before you bid.
USA Import Information
This car is more than 25 years old and is eligible for import into the United States. Autoselecta can arrange shipment from Japan to the US. Please contact Autoselecta with your city or ZIP code before bidding so that a delivered quotation can be prepared. We can calculate the expected purchase, Japan costs, shipping, customs related costs and delivery requirements. Additional charges may apply depending on your state and port.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
Check your own country's rules on age, emissions and registration before you bid, and keep the auction sheet translation to hand for your importer or inspector. Autoselecta can advise on the process from bidding to arrival.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta gives direct access to Japanese auctions, translated and checked auction sheets, vehicle sourcing, bidding assistance, export handling and shipping. We also offer import support in your country, vehicle tracking where available, and communication throughout the purchase.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
More Land Cruisers and other 4WD vehicles appear in Japanese auctions every week. Browse the current listings on Autoselecta to compare grades, mileage and condition.
Live Auction Search
Use the live auction search to find a particular model, chassis code or grade. You can set your budget and see sheets as they are listed.
Auction Caution
Auction cars are inspected before sale, but they are still used vehicles. An auction sheet is an independent condition guide, not a mechanical warranty. A vehicle of this age may need servicing, maintenance or refurbishment after purchase. For this car, remember the key inspector warnings: rust and corrosion on the painted underside, heavy repair marks on the bonnet and roof, cracked and worn seats, a scuffed steering wheel, scratched wheels, small scratches and dents, studless tyres fitted, and the camping kit missing from a former camping car.
