The Toyota Supra Mk III, known by its chassis code A70, is the square-shouldered Supra that came before the famous Mk IV. It has pop-up headlights, a long bonnet and a turbocharged straight six, and it costs a fraction of what an A80 does today. The usual worries are the head gasket, rust and how much tax it pays. The tax part is good news: every A70 is now over 30 years old.
- Built
- 1986 to 1993
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Tax
- 5% VAT, no duty
Which engine?
Japanese-market A70s came with a range of engines, but the two turbo straight sixes are the ones most people import. Like every Japanese-market car, the A70 is right-hand drive from the factory.
| Feature | 7M-GTE | 1JZ-GTE |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 3.0 litre, single turbo | 2.5 litre, twin turbo |
| Years | From the start of production | From 1990, on the 2.5 cars |
| In brief | The original Supra Turbo engine, with a known head gasket weakness | A newer engine with a strong reputation, shared with the Soarer and Chaser |
| Tax today | 5% VAT, no duty | 5% VAT, no duty |
The 7M-GTE cars are the classic Supra Turbo, and the 3.0 car was sold new in the UK too. The 2.5 twin turbo cars with the 1JZ-GTE were a Japanese-market model, and they are the reason many people look to Japan for an A70. Check the chassis code and the engine bay, not just the badges, as engine swaps are common on these cars.
The 7M-GTE head gasket
The 7M-GTE has a long-standing reputation for blowing head gaskets, especially if it has been run hot or pushed with more boost. Many cars have already had the job done properly, often with an uprated gasket and head studs. Ask for receipts, check for white smoke, coolant loss or oil in the coolant, and treat a car with no history of the work as one that may need it.
What to check before you buy
An A70 is now well over 30 years old, so the condition of the individual car matters far more than the mileage on the clock. Rust, overheating history and the roof are worth checking first.
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 9 done
Our guide to Japanese auction grades explains how to read the sheet, and buying a car abroad safely covers the checks in more detail. The Japanese export certificate guide explains the one document every car from Japan needs.
The targa top
Many A70s have a removable roof panel, a version Toyota called the Aerotop. It is a lovely thing on a summer day, but tired seals let water in, and water left sitting in the floor leads to rust. Lift the carpets if you can, or ask for photos, and check the panel comes out and goes back in cleanly.
Modified cars
Plenty of A70s have been tuned, and some have had a different engine fitted. That does not stop you importing one, as a car over 10 years old takes an MOT rather than an IVA test. It does need to be safe and roadworthy, and every change should be declared to your insurer. Our guide to importing a modified car covers the rest.
The test depends on age
GOV.UK exempts cars over 10 years old from vehicle approval, so they take an MOT instead of an IVA test. Every A70 is well past that.
| Age of the Supra | 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 |
An A70 built before October 1986 is now over 40 years old, so the very earliest cars can be MOT exempt. A car with a swapped engine or other big changes may not count, so speak to us if yours has been heavily modified. The speedometer conversion to mph is only required on cars under 10 years old, so a Supra can keep its original.
Shipping a Supra Mk III
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 parts or loose wheels inside. That includes a spare targa panel stored in the boot, so tell us about it when you book. If the Supra does not run, or you would rather it 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
A car under 30 years old pays 10% import duty and 20% import VAT, but that does not apply here. Every A70 is over 30 years old, so it pays 5% VAT and no duty, worked out on the price plus the shipping. The car does need to be in its original state, without major changes to the engine, chassis or body, to count as historic.
Our guide to the 5% VAT rules for historic vehicles explains how the reduced rate works, the import tax calculator runs your own numbers, and worked tax examples show the sums side by side. If you are moving to the UK and qualify, Transfer of Residence can bring the car in with no VAT or duty at all.
Looking at a heavily modified A70? Send us the details before you buy. Big changes can affect whether the car counts as historic for the 5% VAT rate.
Getting it road legal
Because the Supra 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. If you are weighing it up against the later car, our Supra Mk IV buying guide covers the A80, and the Soarer shares many of the same engines. Before you commit, get an insurance quote too: our guide to insuring a Japanese import covers what insurers ask.
Questions people ask
Can I import a Toyota Supra Mk III to the UK?
Yes. An A70 follows the same route as any car from Japan: shipping, customs, a rear fog light if needed, an MOT, then DVLA registration. Every A70 is over 10 years old, so none needs an IVA test.
How much tax will I pay on an A70 Supra?
Every A70 is over 30 years old, so it pays 5% import VAT and no duty, as long as it has not been heavily changed. The VAT is worked out on the price plus the shipping.
Is the 7M-GTE head gasket a real problem?
It has a reputation for failing, especially on cars that have overheated or run more boost. Many have had the work done already, so ask for receipts and check for coolant loss or white smoke.
Which A70 has the 1JZ-GTE engine?
The 2.5 twin turbo cars sold in Japan from 1990. Check the chassis code and the engine bay to be sure, as engine swaps are common.
Does an A70 Supra need an MOT?
Most do. A car built before October 1986 is now over 40 years old and can be MOT exempt, as long as it has not been substantially changed.
Found an A70 you like? Send us the auction lot or listing on the quote form and we will price the whole job.
