The AE86 is the small, light, rear-wheel drive Corolla that went on to become a drifting legend. In Japan it was sold as the Sprinter Trueno and the Corolla Levin, and a good one is now a proper classic. That brings its own worries: rust, a lot of tired or heavily modified cars, and sellers who know exactly what the name is worth. The import itself is simple, and the tax is kinder than most people expect.
- Built
- 1983 to 1987
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Import tax
- 5% VAT, no duty, if original
Trueno or Levin?
Underneath they are the same car, with the 1.6 litre 4A-GE twin-cam engine driving the rear wheels. The easy way to tell them apart is the front. Both came as a two-door coupe or a three-door hatchback, and all of them are right-hand drive from the factory, as Japan drives on the left like we do.
| Feature | Sprinter Trueno | Corolla Levin |
|---|---|---|
| Headlights | Pop-up | Fixed |
| Bodies | Coupe or three-door hatchback | Coupe or three-door hatchback |
| Engine | 1.6 4A-GE twin cam | 1.6 4A-GE twin cam |
| Tax today | 5% VAT, no duty | 5% VAT, no duty |
The pop-up Trueno is the one most people picture, largely thanks to Initial D, and it tends to be the more sought-after of the two. The Levin has a following of its own and is closer in looks to the Corolla GT that Toyota sold in Europe. Which one you choose is mostly down to taste.
Prices and the AE86 name
AE86 prices have climbed a long way, and the number on a listing tells you very little on its own. A rusty project, a modified drift car and a clean original can all be described as an AE86. Compare like with like, and judge each car on its condition and paperwork rather than the badge. The shipping, tax and UK costs are the same whatever you pay for the car, so use the import tax calculator to see the full bill before you bid.
Fakes and lookalikes
The most common trap is a car that looks like an AE86 but is not one. Toyota built the same shape with smaller, single-cam engines, sold under the AE85 code, and some of these have been dressed up to pass as the real thing. Levins converted to Trueno fronts, and the other way round, are common too. The chassis code on the plate and the export certificate is the thing to trust, not the badges, the stickers or the seller's description.
What to check before you buy
Rust is the big one. These are light, simply built cars, and many have spent years being driven hard and repaired cheaply. Look past fresh paint and ask for clear photos of the underside.
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 8 done
Our guide to Japanese auction grades explains how to read the sheet, and the Japanese export certificate guide covers the one document every car from Japan needs. If you are buying unseen, read buying a car abroad safely too.
Modified cars
A huge number of AE86s have been modified, from coilovers and bucket seats to later engine swaps. That does not stop you importing one, as a car over 10 years old takes an MOT rather than an IVA test. It can matter for the tax and for the MOT exemption, though, as both depend on how original the car is. Every change should also be declared to your insurer.
MOT, the 40-year line and road tax
GOV.UK exempts cars over 10 years old from vehicle approval, so no AE86 needs an IVA test, and the speedometer does not have to be converted to mph.
| Age of the AE86 | What it needs |
|---|---|
| 10 to 40 years | An MOT, with a rear fog light if one is not fitted |
| Over 40 years | No MOT needed, as long as it has not been substantially changed |
Most AE86s were built before October 1986, so they are now over 40 years old and can be MOT exempt. The last cars, built from late 1986 into 1987, still take an MOT until they pass the 40-year mark. Replacing the engine, body or axles in a way that changes how the car works counts as a substantial change, so a heavily modified car may need its MOT whatever its age. It still has to be kept roadworthy, and plenty of owners have an MOT done anyway as a cheap check on a car that is new to them.
Road tax works on its own rolling date. From 1 April 2026, cars built before 1 January 1986 can stop paying vehicle tax, but you have to apply for the exemption. AE86s built in 1986 and 1987 pay for now. Our guides to MOTs for imported cars and road tax for imported cars explain both.
Shipping an AE86
From Japan, RoRo is the usual route and costs less than a container. The car has to run and drive, and it should be empty, with no spare wheels, parts or loose seats inside. If the AE86 does not run, or you would rather a valuable car travelled boxed, a container is the answer.
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only. Your quote prices your actual route and includes collection, customs and unloading. Door to door, the journey is usually about 5 to 8 weeks.
Import tax
Every AE86 is now over 30 years old, so it normally pays 5% VAT and no duty, worked out on the price plus the shipping. That is a far smaller bill than the 10% duty and 20% VAT a younger car from Japan would pay.
The 5% rate is for cars in their original state. HMRC can refuse it on a car that has been heavily modified, such as an engine swap or a reshaped body. Repairs and restoration are fine. Our guide to the historic vehicle 5% VAT rules explains where the line sits.
Our cost of importing from Japan guide works through a full example, and importing a classic car covers the dating paperwork the DVLA can ask for on an older car.
Getting it road legal
Because the AE86 is right-hand drive, the list is short. The usual job is a rear fog light, fitted in the right position if one is missing. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance, which keeps the work down. We do any changes in our own workshop in Castle Donington, and our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register the car within 10 working days.
For the wider route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan. The first Toyota MR2 uses the same 4A-GE engine if you are weighing up the two. Before you commit, get an insurance quote as well: our guide to insuring a Japanese import covers what insurers ask.
Questions people ask
Can I import a Toyota AE86 to the UK?
Yes. An AE86 follows the same route as any car from Japan: shipping, customs, a rear fog light if needed, an MOT unless it is exempt, then DVLA registration. None needs an IVA test.
What is the difference between a Trueno and a Levin?
The Sprinter Trueno has pop-up headlights and the Corolla Levin has fixed ones. Underneath they are the same rear-wheel drive car with the 4A-GE engine.
Does an imported AE86 need an MOT?
Not if it was built more than 40 years ago and has not been substantially changed, which covers most AE86s built before October 1986. Later cars and heavily modified ones take an MOT.
How much import tax will I pay on an AE86?
Normally 5% VAT and no duty on the price plus shipping, as every AE86 is over 30 years old. HMRC can refuse the reduced rate on a heavily modified car.
How do I know it is a real AE86?
Check the chassis code on the plate and the Japanese export certificate. Lookalikes built on the AE85 code have a smaller single-cam engine, and badges are easy to swap.
Found an AE86 you like? Send us the auction lot or listing on the quote form and we will price the whole job.
