The Eunos Roadster is the Japanese-market version of the first Mazda MX-5, and it is one of the most popular small classics to bring over from Japan. Buyers often worry that a Japanese car will be different in ways that cause trouble at the test, or that the badges will confuse the DVLA. Neither is a real problem. It is right-hand drive, it is over 10 years old, and many are now old enough to be considered for the reduced classic tax rate.
- Generations
- NA (1989 to 1997), NB (1998 to 2005)
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Test
- MOT, as every car is over 10 years old
Eunos, Mazda and MX-5
In Japan, the first-generation car was sold under Mazda's Eunos brand as the Eunos Roadster. It is the same basic car we know as the MX-5: light, front-engined, rear-wheel drive and with a simple folding soft top.
When the second generation arrived, the Eunos name had gone, and the Japanese car was sold as the Mazda Roadster. Owners call the two generations NA and NB, after their chassis codes, and you will see both terms on auction sheets and in listings.
| Feature | NA | NB |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1989 to 1997 | 1998 to 2005 |
| Japanese badge | Eunos Roadster | Mazda Roadster |
| Headlights | Pop-up | Fixed |
| Engines | 1.6, then 1.8 from 1993 | 1.6 and 1.8 |
| Tax today | 5% rate possible if built before 12 October 1996 | Standard rate until each car turns 30 |
Which one is better comes down to taste. The NA has the pop-up lights and the purest shape, which is why it is the one most people picture. The NB is a little more refined and a little more modern inside. Japan also had plenty of special editions of both, so check what trim you are actually looking at.
What to check before you buy
The engines are tough and simple when they have been serviced. The real enemy on any early MX-5 is rust, and a Japanese car is not automatically free of it. Cars from the snowy north of Japan can be as rotten underneath as a UK car.
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 8 done
The auction sheet and an independent inspection are your best protection. Our guide to Japanese auction grades explains how to read the sheet, and buying a car abroad safely covers how to pay without getting caught out.
Import tax and the 5% rate
A car from Japan normally pays 10% import duty and 20% import VAT, worked out on the price plus the shipping, with the VAT charged on top of the duty. A car over 30 years old can instead pay 5% VAT and no duty.
Working from 12 October 2026, that takes in NA cars built before 12 October 1996. The last NAs from late 1996 and 1997 cross the line over the coming year. No NB is old enough yet, with the earliest ones reaching 30 in 2028.
Age is not the only condition. HMRC treats the reduced rate as being for collectors' pieces of historical interest, and GOV.UK's guidance expects the car to be in its original state. Restoration and like-for-like repairs are fine. A car with an engine swap, a turbo kit or a heavily reworked body can be refused. Plenty of Roadsters have been modified, so this matters more than it does on some classics. Our guide to the historic vehicle 5% VAT rules explains HMRC's conditions in full.
Close to the line? Send us the chassis number before you buy. We will check the build date and tell you whether the car is likely to qualify for the 5% rate as it stands.
The import tax calculator will run the numbers both ways, and our worked tax examples show how the sums go together.
Shipping a Roadster
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 hardtops left loose inside. If you are buying a hardtop with the car, ask us how best to send it.
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only. Door to door, the journey is usually about 5 to 8 weeks. The documents are the Japanese export certificate, the purchase invoice or auction paperwork, and your passport.
Getting it road legal
Every NA and NB Roadster is over 10 years old, so GOV.UK exempts it from vehicle approval and there is no IVA test. It takes an MOT instead. The speedometer does not have to be converted to mph, as that rule applies to cars under 10 years old, though plenty of owners convert it for everyday use. Our guide to speedometer and headlight conversions explains the options.
The usual change is a rear fog light, fitted in the right position if the car does not have one. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance. We do the work 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.
The Eunos badge makes no difference to registration, as the paperwork follows the car's chassis number and export certificate. For the full route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan.
Living with one
Parts are one of the Roadster's strengths. The mechanical side is shared with UK MX-5s, so servicing is straightforward and specialists are easy to find. Some Japan-only trim and special edition parts are harder to come by.
Insurers will want to know the car is an import and whether it has been modified. Tell them everything, and keep the receipts. Our guide to insuring a Japanese import covers what they ask for.
Questions people ask
Is a Eunos Roadster the same as an MX-5?
Yes. It is the Japanese-market name for the first-generation MX-5, sold under Mazda's Eunos brand. The second generation was sold in Japan as the Mazda Roadster.
Does an imported Eunos Roadster need an IVA test?
No. Every NA and NB Roadster is over 10 years old, so it is exempt from vehicle approval. It takes an MOT after a rear fog light is fitted if one is missing.
Which Roadsters qualify for 5% import VAT?
Working from 12 October 2026, NA cars built before 12 October 1996 are over 30 years old. HMRC also expects the car to be in its original state, so a heavily modified car may not qualify. No NB is old enough yet.
Do I need to convert the speedometer to mph?
Not for registration, as the mph rule applies to cars under 10 years old. Many owners convert it anyway for everyday driving.
How long does it take to import a Roadster from Japan?
Shipping usually takes about 5 to 8 weeks door to door. After that come customs, any changes, the MOT and DVLA registration.
Found a Roadster you like? Send us the auction lot or the seller's details on the quote form and we will price the whole job.
