How can I find out the history of an imported car?

I have a Toyota Hiace which was registered in the UK in 2004 and converted into a campervan. I am told this is an import. How do I find out where it was imported from and what was the history of the van before it was imported? I would like to know when it was manufactured and where.

Asked on 5 October 2018 by james dye

Answered by Honest John
This is basically 'Jap Scrap', a victim of Japanese 'Shaken' vehicle testing regulations that makes it uneconomic to repair a lot of cars when they reach certain ages. It will have been sent to an auction, bid for (possibly by an agent of a UK specialist such as Algy's Autos), then imported to the UK, put through ESVA and registered. I don't think you stand much chance of establishing its history.
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