Nissan

Skyline R32 inspection checklist

1989-1994 · 13 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highGrey-import history and compliance risk

Look for: Outside the 100 genuine AU-delivered GT-Rs, every R32 is a privately-imported used car. Watch for missing compliance plates, odometer wind-back (km in genuine miles or unverifiable), rebuilt/repairable write-offs, and engines swapped or VINs that don't match the auction sheet.

If you find it: Verify compliance, import approval and PPSR/REVS; obtain the original Japanese auction sheet; independent pre-purchase inspection by an RB specialist.

Any · Varies (deal-breaker)

highModified, tuned or tracked abuse

Look for: Most surviving R32s have been boosted, drifted or raced. Poor tunes, over-boost on stock internals/turbos, and worn driveline are common and directly tied to the oil-pump and ceramic-turbine failures.

If you find it: Dyno/compression/leak-down test, scan for fault history, inspect for boost-control and engine work; price in a refresh.

Any · ~$2000-15000 to undo

highRB timing belt (interference engine)

Look for: All R32 RB engines are belt-driven and interference - a failed or unknown-age belt destroys valves and the head.

If you find it: Replace belt, tensioner and water pump on purchase unless recent paperwork proves it was done.

From 100k km / 10 years · ~$600-1400

mediumBody rust (inner floors, arches, screen surrounds)

Look for: R32 shells rust from the inside out, hiding behind front-wheel floor sealant, in rear quarters and around the windscreen frame - worsened by wet/salt Japanese-market use.

If you find it: Thorough rust inspection with a paint-depth gauge; favour dry-climate examples; cut-and-weld repair as needed.

Any · ~$1000-8000+

3 of 4 engines

highHidden rust (import body)

Look for: R32 bodies rust from the inside out - behind the front wheels in the floor, around the rear quarters, screen surrounds and under factory underseal. Japanese-market cars driven in salt/wet hide it between panel layers.

If you find it: Thorough underbody and panel-edge inspection (paint-depth gauge); favour dry-history cars and budget for cut-and-weld repairs.

Any (age/coastal) · ~$1000-8000+

2.6L RB26DETT GT-R (BNR32)

highOil pump drive collar failure (pre-May 1993)

Look for: Early RB26 (and RB25/RB20) use a narrow oil-pump drive that only minimally engages the crank-snout flats. With the 8000rpm redline and a mis-shift over-rev, the drive can crack the pump gears, oil pressure collapses and the engine spins a bearing. Nissan didn't widen the crank snout until May 1993, so the AU-delivered 1991 cars are the vulnerable design.

If you find it: Fit a billet crank collar and an upgraded (N1 or aftermarket) oil pump, and monitor oil pressure. Treat this as mandatory before any spirited driving.

Any - worse with high-rpm use · ~$8000-20000 (rebuild) / $1500-3000 (preventive collar + pump)

highCeramic turbine wheel failure

Look for: The factory T28 turbos use ceramic exhaust wheels for fast spool, but they shatter under detonation or boost much above ~1.0 bar, sending debris and leaving a turbo (or two) dead. Many tuned cars have already grenaded the originals.

If you find it: Replace with steel-wheel hi-flow or aftermarket turbos; never run boost on ceramics, and ensure tuning/fuel quality prevents knock.

Any (detonation/over-boost dependent) · ~$3000-7000 (pair of turbos)

mediumGearbox synchro and clutch wear

Look for: The 5-speed manual wears 2nd/3rd synchros and the clutch hard, especially on launched/tracked cars. Crunchy downshifts are common on tired examples.

If you find it: Synchro/gearbox rebuild and a quality clutch; inspect for AWD driveline play during the test drive.

From 100k+ km / track use · ~$1500-4000

2.0L RB20DET GTS-T Type-M (HCR32) - import

highOil pump drive / oil pressure failure

Look for: Shares the narrow early oil-pump drive design of the RB family; over-revs and high-rpm tuning can crack the pump and starve the bottom end of oil.

If you find it: Fit a crank collar and upgraded oil pump; watch oil pressure, especially on a built/high-boost engine.

Any (high-rpm/modified) · ~$3000-8000 (rebuild) / $1200-2500 (preventive)

mediumSuper-HICAS rear steering wear

Look for: Worn HICAS rack, tie arms and bushes give vague or twitchy rear-end behaviour and uneven tyre wear.

If you find it: Rebuild the HICAS components or fit a HICAS lock/eliminator kit (common modification); realign.

From 120k+ km · ~$500-1500

2.5L RB25DE GTS-25 (HR32) - import

highTiming belt neglect

Look for: Belt-driven interference engine; a snapped or skipped belt (common on imports with unknown service history) bends valves and wrecks the head.

If you find it: Replace belt, tensioner and water pump on purchase if there is no proof of recent change.

From 100k+ km / 10 years · ~$600-1400 (service) vs major engine damage

2.0L RB20DET GTS-4 (HNR32) - import AWD

highOil pump drive failure (RB family)

Look for: Narrow early oil-pump drive can crack under over-rev or high-boost tuning, starving the bottom end.

If you find it: Crank collar and upgraded oil pump; monitor oil pressure.

Any (high-rpm) · ~$3000-8000 (rebuild)

mediumATTESA E-TS AWD system faults

Look for: The electronically-controlled AWD relies on a hydraulic pump, accumulator, G-sensor and solenoids; ageing seals and electronics throw the system into fault (often FWD-light flashing) and the car drives as RWD.

If you find it: Diagnose pump/accumulator and G-sensor, refresh seals and fluid; specialist knowledge needed.

From 120k+ km · ~$800-3000

1 minor thing (low severity)

lowAgeing electrics, suspension and consumables

Look for: These cars are 30+ years old: expect perished hoses, leaking seals, tired bushes, dim/failing dash and climate electrics, and worn suspension.

If you find it: Budget a full consumables and suspension refresh on purchase.

Any (age) · Varies

From FlamingCars' Nissan Skyline guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.