Honda Civic Type R EP3
Import a Honda Civic Type R (EP3) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 2001–2005
- Engine
- K20A 2.0 L naturally aspirated four, front-wheel drive
About the EP3
The EP3 was built in England by Honda of the UK Manufacturing at Swindon and exported to Japan. Honda called this a first for the company (Honda newsroom, Oct 2001). It went on sale at Honda Primo dealers on 6 December 2001 (Honda newsroom). The Japanese car had a 215 PS 2.0 L i-VTEC engine, a six-speed manual and a helical limited-slip differential (Honda newsroom; JDMBUYSELL guide).
A facelift went on sale in January 2004 with a new front bumper and headlights and a standard immobiliser (ja.wikipedia; Carsensor). Japanese sales ended in August 2005 (ja.wikipedia). Carsensor gives the same December 2001 to August 2005 period. That is the sales period; no exact last build date was found.
Honda developed the EP3 under a “Dangan” (bullet) hot-hatch concept and built it in Swindon for Japan. Japanese Wikipedia puts total sales at 4,735, with fewer than about 1,000 of the facelift cars. A version without air conditioning was offered for motorsport, but Honda’s one-make series moved to the Integra, and the Civic drew little attention there. The Civic Type R raced in the British Touring Car Championship from 2002.
- Power
- 215 PS at 8,000 rpm
- Torque
- about 202 Nm at 7,000 rpm
- Weight
- 1,190–1,210 kg
- Gearbox
- 6-speed manual
- Drive
- Front-wheel drive, helical LSD
- Engine
- K20A 2.0 L i-VTEC
- Sold
- 4,735 in Japan (ja.wikipedia)
Can an EP3 come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on an EP3
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Second gear
Check that second engages smoothly and stays in under hard acceleration. UK guides say the synchros take a pounding.
Timing chain
Ask for records. UK guides suggest replacing the chain at 75,000–100,000 miles. Have a specialist listen to the chain.
Oil level
VTEC depends on oil pressure. Check the level and service records, and don't wait for the warning light.
Mounts
Watch for engine movement under load. Mount failures are reported on hard-driven or tracked cars.
Sills and arches
Inspect the sills and rear arches for corrosion.
Dampers and alignment
The original Showa dampers are often worn, and alignment bolts can seize.
What we check on every EP3
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What an EP3 costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Japan used-car average asking price, Dec 2001–Aug 2005 cars Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥1.89 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
| Japan used-car average asking price, 2004–2005 facelift cars Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥2.18 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
| 2001 Japan-spec EP3, 119,000 km, sold in the UK The Market, May 2022 | £8,295 | The Market , May 2022 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
EP3 buyer questions
Is a Japanese EP3 eligible in the US?
Not yet. Japanese sales ran from December 2001 to August 2005, so the earliest cars reach 25 years around December 2026 and the last around August 2030. Canada accepts every Japan-market EP3. The UK build month on the car’s plate decides.
How is the Japanese EP3 different from the UK car?
Both were built in Swindon, but the Japanese car has 215 PS and a helical limited-slip differential, against 200 PS for the European K20A2. Both are right-hand drive.
Pre-facelift or facelift?
The January 2004 facelift added a new front bumper and headlights and a standard immobiliser. Japanese Wikipedia says fewer than about 1,000 were sold. Carsensor shows facelift cars averaging about ¥2.18 million in Japan, against about ¥1.89 million for the whole run.
Want an EP3?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.