This 1996 Nissan Skyline (ECR33) is for sale at Japanese auction at USS Fukuoka on 14 October 2026, lot 2522. Auction grade 4, interior grade B, 59,000 km (about 36,700 miles), automatic, pearl. Bids close at 9pm UK time on Tuesday 13 October. It is 25 years old or more, so it can be imported to the USA and Australia.
The inspector’s own report on this car, as issued by the auction house. Our full English translation is in the Autoselecta auction report below.
4
Good
Average wear for age and mileage. Minor scratches and dents, mechanically sound.
S / 6
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2
R / RA
Best to worst. This car is grade 4.
Interior grade B
What the letters on a sheet diagram mean
A
Scratch
U
Dent
W
Wave or repair: W1 is light, W3 is heavy
S
Rust
C
Corrosion
P
Paint mark or blemish
X
Panel needs replacing
XX
Panel has been replaced
B
Dent with a scratch
G
Stone chip in the glass
Autoselecta auction report
Overview of the Nissan Skyline GTS25t Type M Spec II
This is a March 1996 Nissan Skyline GTS25t Type M Spec II, chassis code E-ECR33, pearl with factory colour code WK1, offered at USS Fukuoka as lot 2522. The sheet records 58,523 km, approximately 36,364 miles, with an overall auction grade of 4 and an interior grade of B. The 2,500 cc turbocharged four door sedan has a floor automatic gearbox and 2WD drive, and the shaken (Japanese roadworthiness inspection) is valid to 4 November 2026.
The R33 Skyline sedan is the quieter side of the family, and this one is a good example of why that matters. You get the RB25DET turbo straight six and a rear wheel drive layout in a car that attracts far less attention than a GT-R, and the entry price is correspondingly modest. The sheet is honest about the car: a large scratch on the front bumper, small dents around the body, a faulty electric folding mirror, a small seat tear and rust underneath. It reads as a low mileage, usable Skyline rather than a showroom piece.
The Drive Review
The heart of the GTS25t is the RB25DET, a 2.5 litre turbocharged straight six that is one of the best loved Nissan engines of the era. Straight sixes are naturally smooth, and the RB delivers its boost in a fairly linear way, with strong mid range pull rather than a sudden hit. Paired with an automatic gearbox, as here, the car leans towards effortless cruising rather than track day aggression. The experience is relaxed and torquey, with a pleasant turbo and six cylinder soundtrack building as the revs rise.
The R33 chassis is longer and more stable than the R32 that came before it, and that shows in the way it settles at speed. The steering is hydraulically assisted and communicative by modern standards, though lighter and less precise than a sports car of today. Body roll is present, the brakes are modest by current expectations, and there is no electronic safety net. That analogue feel is a large part of the appeal. This sedan is best suited to enjoyable road use, with scope for owners who want to sharpen it later with suspension and tyres.
Auction Details
The car is lot 2522 at USS Fukuoka, with the auction taking place in Japan on 14 October 2026. The sheet carries the heading First Corner. The start price is ¥780,000. The Autoselecta guide bidding range is £6,500 to £13,000, which is an estimated range based on the car and the market, not a guaranteed purchase price, and the car may sell above or below it. For reference, 12 similar cars sold at Japanese auctions between £9,574 and £12,929, typically about £10,898. Those are auction results, not Autoselecta sales, and they include other versions and conditions. The minimum bid and the full landed cost for your country are shown live in the price panel on this page.
Closest match first, by version, age, mileage and auction grade. Hammer prices at Japanese auctions, before fees, shipping and taxes. These are auction results, not cars sold by us.
Manufacturer: Nissan. Model: Skyline GTS25t Type M Spec II. Chassis code: E-ECR33. First registration: March 1996 (Heisei 8). Body: four door sedan, five seats. Engine: 2,500 cc petrol, the turbocharged RB25DET in this model line. Transmission: floor automatic. Drive: 2WD, which in the GTS25t is rear wheel drive. Colour: pearl, colour code WK1. The sheet has a colour change box with only an arrow and no written colour change, so it is not certain whether that means anything. Mileage: 58,523 km, approximately 36,364 miles. Frame number 105931. Registration plate Fukuoka 303 mu 4919. Recycling deposit: ¥12,250.
Steering side is not marked on the sheet, but the dashboard in the photographs shows a right hand drive car. Shaken is valid to 4 November 2026. The sheet also prints dimensions of 472 cm long, 172 cm wide and 136 cm high.
Factory Features and Equipment
The sheet circles genuine alloy wheels, power steering, power windows and an airbag, and records automatic air conditioning. The photographs show five spoke alloys on all four corners, a boot lid spoiler, tinted side glass and door visors. Inside there are patterned fabric seats, a driver airbag steering wheel, a floor automatic selector, grey dashboard plastics, a cassette and CD style head unit and fitted floor mats. Navigation, ETC, a spare key and owner manuals are not confirmed on the sheet. The service book box is blank, so service records are not shown either way.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The inspector's report, translated and checked by Autoselecta, lists five points. First, the electric folding door mirror is faulty. Second, the seat has a small tear. Third, there are scratches on the wheels. Fourth, there is rust on the underside. Fifth, there are small scratches and small dents on the body.
The rest of the sheet confirms lot 2522, first registration March 1996, Nissan Skyline GTS25t Type M Spec II, E-ECR33, 2500 cc, four doors, 2WD, grade 4, interior B, shaken to 4 November 2026, floor automatic, automatic air conditioning, 58,523 km, pearl, colour code WK1, petrol, five seats and the Fukuoka plate. The sheet does not mention engine noise, gearbox faults, oil leaks, warning lights, smoke or odour, so none are reported, but a sheet is not a full mechanical inspection.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition
The diagram shows six marks. A3 on the front bumper is a large scratch, the most noticeable cosmetic mark on the car. U1 on the bonnet is a small dent. U1 on the left front wing is a small dent. U1 on the right side around the rear door is a small dent, though the exact panel (rear door or near the quarter panel) is not certain. U2 on the left rear quarter panel is a dent, slightly more significant than a U1. UA1 on the rear bumper is an unusual combined code, likely a small dent with a small scratch, and this is not certain.
There are no repair marks, replaced panel codes, rust codes or glass cracks on the diagram, although the inspector notes underside rust separately. Overall this is usable enthusiast condition. The photographs show a clean pearl car with some body marks, and the scratched bumper and a few dents would be the obvious jobs for a tidy up.
Interior Condition
The interior grade is B, which means generally sound with signs of use. The inspector notes a small tear in a seat. The photographs show tidy patterned fabric seats, a clean dashboard and an intact looking steering wheel, though we cannot judge every surface from them. The faulty electric folding mirror is also noted. The odometer in the photograph is consistent with the sheet reading of 58,523 km, and the cluster appears to show no lit warning lamps apart from the gear position indicator and what looks like the handbrake lamp.
Japanese Auction Grades
Grade 4 is a good grade for a car of this age, indicating better than average condition with only minor marks. Interior grade B sits one step below the best, meaning normal wear. Both grades are the auction's own opinion at inspection and are not a mechanical guarantee.
The R33 Skyline was built from 1993 to 1998, replacing the R32. It grew larger and more refined, and offered coupe and sedan bodies with several engines. The ECR33 code covers the 2.5 litre turbo, which paired the RB25DET with rear wheel drive. The sedan, sold in Japan as the Skyline, was aimed at buyers wanting everyday practicality with sporting hints. The GT-R version, the BCNR33, got more of the attention, but the GTS25t has always been the sensible performance choice of the range.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
R33 Skylines have come into focus as the R32 GT-R and R34 GT-R have become expensive. A GTS25t offers a similar RB straight six character, Japanese domestic market status, rear wheel drive and 1990s styling at a fraction of the cost. Enthusiasts also like that the model sits at the peak of Japan's performance car period before electronic aids became standard.
Sedans are less rare than coupes, and automatic cars appeal to fewer purists, which is reflected in pricing. At the same time, well kept originals are becoming harder to source in Japan, and many cars have been modified or used hard. A car showing 58,523 km is a plus. Nothing here is a promise of future values, and this should be bought to be enjoyed rather than as an investment.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
The RB25DET is a strong engine, but it depends on its maintenance. Ask for evidence of timing belt and water pump service, as the RB25 uses a belt. Check for oil leaks from the cam covers and around the turbo, listen for turbo whistle or smoke on boost, and test oil pressure, as the cluster here has an oil pressure gauge. Cooling system condition is important, as the plastic and rubber parts age.
On this car, the sheet's rust on the underside is the first thing to have inspected, particularly the sills, floor edges, suspension mounting points and the rear arches, which are known rust areas on R33s. Check the automatic gearbox for smooth shifts and no flare between gears, and look for fluid leaks. If the car has rear steer, test it for correct operation. The faulty folding mirror may just need a motor or switch. Also check the seat tear and the wheel scratches, and since service records are not shown, assume a full service is needed on arrival.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japanese cars tend to have careful ownership, mild climate use and documented condition at the auction. With a sheet and photographs you can judge a car before buying, which is useful for a 1996 Skyline where condition varies a great deal. The underside rust here is exactly the type of detail the sheet makes visible.
USA Import Information
This 1996 Skyline is over 25 years old, so it is eligible for import to the United States. Autoselecta can arrange shipment from Japan to the United States. 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 price, Japan costs, shipping, customs related costs and delivery requirements. There may be additional charges depending on your state and port, so we do not promise there are none.
The process is straightforward. Choose a car, set your maximum bid, and Autoselecta bids on your behalf. If you win, we handle payment in Japan, export paperwork and shipping. Check your own country's age, safety and emissions rules before bidding, as these differ widely.
Autoselecta gives you direct access to Japanese auctions, translated and checked auction sheets, vehicle sourcing, bidding assistance, export handling, shipping and import support in your own country, with vehicle tracking where available and clear communication throughout. We do not claim unrealistic savings, only a transparent route to cars like this one.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
New cars are listed every week, including Skylines, Skyline GT-Rs and other performance models from the same era. If this Skyline is not quite right, there may be a better match listed for the coming sales.
Use the live auction search to find other Nissan Skyline ECR33 and R33 cars by grade, mileage and price, and ask us to watch for specific cars or colours for you.
Auction Caution
Auction cars are inspected before sale but are still used vehicles. The auction sheet is an independent condition guide, not a mechanical warranty. Important points on this sheet to remember are the faulty electric folding mirror, the small seat tear, the wheel scratches, the rust on the underside and the large scratch on the front bumper with small dents around the body. The service book box is blank, so history is not confirmed. A 1996 performance car may need servicing, maintenance or refurbishment after purchase.
