The original Honda NSX is a mid-engined supercar you can use every day, and that still makes it unusual. Buying one abroad can feel like a big commitment, because good cars are scarce and a bad one is expensive to put right. The import itself is the easy part. Every NSX is now old enough to skip the IVA test, and the earliest cars are past the 30-year line for tax.
- Built
- 1990 to 2005
- Engine
- Mid-mounted V6 with VTEC, 3.0 or 3.2 litres
- Shipping
- From £3,575 (Japan) or £1,450 (USA), shipping only
- Tax
- 20% VAT + 10% duty, or 5% VAT over 30 years
NA1 or NA2
| Feature | NA1 | NA2 |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1990 to 1997 | 1997 to 2005 |
| Engine | 3.0 litre V6, five-speed manual or automatic | 3.2 litre V6 with a six-speed manual (automatics kept the 3.0) |
| Looks | Pop-up headlights | Pop-ups until 2002, then fixed headlights |
| Tax today | Reduced rate if built before October 1996 | Standard rate, for now |
NA1 and NA2 are Honda's chassis codes for the two halves of the first-generation car. The NA1 is the original 3.0 litre car. The NA2 arrived in 1997 with a bigger 3.2 litre engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, though automatic cars stayed with the 3.0.
In 2002 the car was facelifted with fixed headlights in place of the pop-ups, and production ended in 2005. Along the way Honda added a targa-roofed NSX-T and a small number of lighter, track-focused NSX-R models, which sit at the top of the tree.
Which one suits you comes down to taste. Some people want the purity of an early pop-up car, others want the extra torque and the sixth gear of an NA2.
Japan or the USA
The NSX was sold new in Japan as a Honda and in North America as the Acura NSX. Both are good places to look, and the car is the same in all the important ways. The difference is what comes with it.
- Japanese cars are right-hand drive, like ours, and usually come with an auction sheet or exporter's report
- American cars are left-hand drive with a speedometer already in mph, and usually come with US service history and a title
A left-hand drive car can be registered here as it is, without moving the steering. It does need lighting changes, which we cover below. Our guides to importing a car from Japan and shipping a car from the USA walk through each route in full.
Living with an aluminium car
The NSX was built around an all-aluminium body, which keeps the weight down and means it does not rust the way a steel car does. The catch is accident repair. Aluminium needs specialist work, and a poorly repaired car is hard to put right.
So when you look at an NSX, the shape of the panels and the history of any repairs matter more than they would on most Japanese cars. Panel gaps, paint depth and the auction sheet's repair notes are your friends here.
What to check before you buy
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 8 done
An NSX that has been serviced on time by people who know the car is worth waiting for. Our guides to buying a car abroad safely and the Japanese import checklist cover the general checks, and Japanese auction grades explains how to read an auction sheet, including the repair codes.
Where to find one
- Japanese auctions, with an independent inspection and a translated auction sheet
- Specialist exporters in Japan
- US dealers, auctions and private sellers, for Acura cars
- UK specialist dealers, if you would rather see it first
Buying from an American auction has its own quirks, and our guide to buying a car from a US auction covers them.
Shipping and tax
From Japan, an NSX usually travels by RoRo, or in a container if you would rather it was sealed away for the voyage. Door to door, it is usually about 5 to 8 weeks. As a guide, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only.
From the USA, we collect from anywhere in the country and truck the car to the port. The sea passage is around 2 weeks from the East Coast and around 4 from the West. As a guide, shipping from the USA starts from £1,450, shipping only.
A car under 30 years old pays 20% VAT and 10% duty, worked out on the price plus shipping. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty. As of October 2026, NA1 cars built before October 1996 are over 30. Every NA2 is still under 30 for now, and the earliest will start to cross the line in 2027. Our worked tax examples show the sums, and the import tax calculator will run your own.
Check the build date, not the model year. The 30-year line is judged on the car itself, so a few months either way can change the tax bill on a 1996 car. We work out exactly what applies when we quote.
Getting it road legal
The newest NSX was built in 2005, so every one is well over 10 years old and none needs an IVA test. The oldest is 36, so every NSX still takes an MOT before it is registered.
A Japanese car usually just needs a correctly positioned rear fog light if one was not fitted at the factory. The speedometer does not have to be converted to mph on a car this age, though some owners choose to. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance, which keeps the work down.
An American car needs more lighting work: amber rear indicators, side repeaters that meet UK rules, a rear fog light and headlights set for driving on the left. Our guide to converting an American car for UK roads goes through each change.
We do the changes and the MOT on our own site in Castle Donington, and our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register the car within 10 working days.
Insurance
Insurers will want to know whether the car is a Japanese or US import and about any modifications. Get a quote before you buy, especially for a left-hand drive car. Our guide to insuring a Japanese import explains what they ask for.
Questions people ask
Does an imported NSX need an IVA test?
No. The last NSX of this generation was built in 2005, so every one is over 10 years old. It takes an MOT instead, after a rear fog light is fitted if it needs one.
Is an NSX old enough for the reduced import tax?
Early ones are. As of October 2026, cars built before October 1996 are over 30 years old and pay 5% VAT and no duty. NA2 cars pay 20% VAT and 10% duty until they reach 30.
Should I buy from Japan or the USA?
Both work. Japanese cars are right-hand drive and need very little work. US cars are left-hand drive and need lighting changes, but they read in mph and often have long service histories. Shipping from the USA usually costs less.
Can I register a left-hand drive Acura NSX in the UK?
Yes. Left-hand drive cars can be registered without moving the steering. It needs amber rear indicators, a rear fog light and headlights set for driving on the left.
What is the most important check on an NSX?
Accident history. The aluminium body does not rust like steel, but it needs specialist repair, so look hard at panel fit, paint and any repair notes.
Found an NSX you like? Send it to us on the quote form and we will price the shipping, customs, MOT and registration.
