The second-generation Mazda RX-7, known by its chassis code FC, sits in the shadow of the FD that replaced it, and that is a big part of its appeal. It is lighter on the wallet, simpler under the bonnet and every one of them is now old enough for the classic tax rate. In Japan it was sold as the Savanna RX-7, so you will see that name on auction sheets and badges.
- Built
- 1985 to 1992
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Tax
- 5% VAT, no duty
Coupe or Cabriolet
The FC came as a two-door coupe for its whole run, and Mazda added a Cabriolet in 1987. A facelift around 1989 brought revised styling and more power, so you will hear owners talk about early and late cars, or Series 4 and Series 5. Every FC is right-hand drive in Japanese form, which makes it an easy car to bring to the UK.
| Feature | Coupe | Cabriolet |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1985 to 1992 | From 1987 to the end of the run |
| In brief | The common one, in non-turbo and turbo forms | Folding soft top, rarer and more of a cruiser |
| UK test | MOT, or none for the earliest cars | MOT |
| Tax today | 5% VAT, no duty | 5% VAT, no duty |
The Cabriolet has its own things to look at. Check the hood for tears and shrinkage, make sure it folds and latches properly, and look for water getting in. A leaking roof means wet carpets, and wet carpets mean rust in the floor.
Living with a rotary
The FC uses Mazda's 13B twin-rotor engine, with a turbocharged version on the faster cars. Instead of pistons, two triangular rotors spin inside their housings, sealed at their tips by apex seals. It is smooth and loves to rev, and it asks a little more of its owner than a normal engine does.
A rotary burns a small amount of oil by design to keep its seals lubricated, so checking the oil level is part of the routine. It does not like short journeys or being switched off cold, and it does not like running hot. A sound cooling system matters on any FC, and on a turbo car most of all.
Worn apex seals show up as low compression, poor starting when hot and a lack of power. Coolant loss or white smoke can point to tired internal seals. None of it is unusual on a car this age, and a rebuilt engine from a good specialist is often a plus rather than a worry.
The compression test
The single most useful check on any RX-7 is a rotary compression test. It needs a tester made for rotary engines, which reads each face of each rotor, and someone who knows what the numbers mean. A normal piston-engine gauge will not tell you much. Ask the seller or an inspector for a recent result before you commit, and treat a car without one with caution.
What to check before you buy
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 8 done
Our guide to Japanese auction grades explains how to read the sheet, and the Japanese import checklist covers the general checks. If you are buying unseen, read our guide to buying a car abroad safely too.
The test depends on age
GOV.UK exempts cars over 10 years old from vehicle approval, so no FC needs an IVA test. Each one takes an MOT instead, and the speedometer does not have to be converted to mph.
| Age of the FC | 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 FCs fall in the first row. The very earliest cars, built before October 1986, are now over 40 years old. Even then, plenty of owners choose to have an MOT done anyway, as it is a cheap check on a car that is new to them.
Import tax
Every FC 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.
The import tax calculator runs your own numbers, and our cost of importing from Japan guide works through a full example.
Shipping an FC
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 belongings inside. If you are bringing a box of spares, or the car does not run, a container is the answer.
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. Sending us the Japanese export certificate before the car ships lets us check its details early.
UK changes
Because the FC is right-hand drive, the list is short. It needs a rear fog light in the right position if one is not fitted. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance, which keeps the work down.
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. For the wider route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan. Thinking of the later car instead? Our RX-7 FD guide covers it.
Insurance
A rotary sports car more than 30 years old can often go on a classic policy, sometimes with a mileage limit. Tell the insurer about every modification and keep the receipts. Our guide to insuring a Japanese import explains what they ask for.
Questions people ask
Does an imported RX-7 FC need an IVA test?
No. Every FC is well over 10 years old, so it is exempt from vehicle approval and takes an MOT instead, after a rear fog light is fitted if it does not have one.
How much tax will I pay on an RX-7 FC?
Normally 5% VAT and no duty, as every FC is over 30 years old. The rate is for cars in their original state, so a heavily modified car may not qualify.
What is the most important check on an FC?
A rotary compression test, done with a tester made for rotary engines by someone who knows how to read it. It tells you far more than a test drive.
Can I import an RX-7 FC Cabriolet?
Yes, it follows exactly the same route as the coupe. Check the hood and look for water leaks and floor rust before you buy.
How long does it take to ship an FC from Japan?
Usually about 5 to 8 weeks door to door, plus the time for UK customs, the rear fog light, the MOT and registration.
Found an FC you like? Send us the listing or auction lot on the quote form and we will price the shipping, customs, MOT and registration.
