Two D40 Navaras in One Week — Thai Build vs Spanish Build (And Why It Matters When Buying Parts)

I'm Zia, manager at Midland Wreckers. In 20+ years of running this yard I've learned to take a second look whenever two of the same ute arrive in the same week. That's exactly what happened: two Nissan Navara D40 dual cabs, days apart — one Thai-built 2010, one Spanish-built 2007. Same badge, same family — but they're not clones. If you're ringing about parts, the difference matters. Here's the honest, plain-English version.

Watch the Video Version

Prefer to watch instead of read? Zia walks the two D40 donors side by side — the Thai build and the Spanish build, with the compliance plates, the bullbar, the tyre sets and the canopy on camera.

Video version of this article — the two Navaras explained in 90 seconds, narrated. Watch on YouTube and subscribe for more Perth car-wrecking stories.

The Thai-built 2010 D40 donor at our Bellevue yard — 2.5-litre YD25 turbo diesel, heavy-duty bullbar still fitted, wheel and tyre set already pulled.

Why the Two Builds Exist

Nissan sourced Australian-delivered D40 Navaras from two plants. The early D40s (2005–2010) mostly came from Barcelona, Spain — the Spanish-built ones wear compliance plates reading "NISSAN MOTOR CO (AUSTRALIA)" with a VSK VIN prefix. Thailand picked up the volume later — our 2010 donor's compliance plate says THAI BUILT right on it, prefix MNT. Same model name on the tailgate, very different supply chains.

What Swaps Between Thai and Spanish D40s — and What Doesn't

Here's the part buyers get wrong, so we'll say it the way we say it on the yard:

• Engine, gearbox and driveline — both builds run the YD25DDTi 2.5-litre turbo diesel, and engines, gearboxes, diffs and most underbody components are commonly carried across the two builds by anyone keeping a D40 alive.
• Body panels and trim — grilles, bumpers, headlights and interior trim pieces differ between builds and year runs. A panel that "looks close" online is not always a direct bolt-on. Tell us your build and year, and we'll check it against the matching donor before you buy.

That second point is where we're happiest to help: if you're not sure a part fits, ask us before you pay for it. Checking part numbers takes minutes over the phone, and it beats finding out after checkout.

The Spanish-built 2007 ST-X — snorkel, roof rack, side steps and canopy all still fitted. Silver body panels are live on the parts page.

What's On the Shelf From Each Navara

From the Thai 2010: the complete YD25 diesel and gearbox (pulled and tested on request), the heavy-duty steel bull bar listed separately, and a set of LT235/75R16 all-terrain tyres on 6-stud steel rims at $350 the set — direct bolt-on for most D40s, with plenty of tread left.

From the Spanish 2007 ST-X: the snorkel, roof rack, side steps and canopy as photographed, plus doors, panels, interior and the small D40 odds that are worth pulling while the car is complete. Both donors are live on the car parts page right now.

Buying Parts? Ring First — These Move Fast

D40 engine and 4x4 driveline parts are some of our fastest movers, and neither donor will last the month. Call (08) 6477 4199 — tell us the VIN build (VSK or MNT) and the part you need, and we'll pull it, test it, and walk you through fitment before you make the trip. Check our recent vehicle removals if you want to see the sort of stock that's been coming through the yard lately.

And If It's Your Navara Going the Other Way

Got a D40 that's reached the end of its road? We pay cash for Nissans of any age and condition, with free removal right across Perth — call (08) 6477 4199 or get an instant quote and we'll come to you, same as we do for every yard find on this page.