The Toyota Chaser and Mark II were sensible four-door saloons in Japan, until people noticed the turbocharged straight six and rear-wheel drive underneath. Now they are some of the most wanted Japanese saloons in the UK. The worry is usually how hard a car has been driven, and how much tax a 1990s import pays. The first takes careful checking. The second is often better news than people expect.
- Chassis codes
- JZX90, JZX100, JZX110
- Engine
- 1JZ-GTE 2.5 turbo straight six
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Tax
- 10% duty + 20% VAT, or 5% VAT over 30 years
Chaser, Mark II and Cresta
Toyota sold the same basic saloon under several names through different dealer networks in Japan. The Mark II was the mainstream one, the Chaser the sportier one, and the Cresta the more upmarket one. Underneath, the JZX90 and JZX100 versions of all three share their engines and running gear.
The car most people want is the Tourer V, the trim with the 1JZ-GTE turbo engine. Plenty of Chasers and Mark IIs left the factory with non-turbo engines and automatic gearboxes, so check exactly what you are looking at.
Which generation?
| Feature | JZX90 | JZX100 | JZX110 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built | 1992 to 1996 | 1996 to 2001 | 2000 to 2004 |
| Names | Chaser, Mark II, Cresta | Chaser, Mark II, Cresta | Mark II only |
| Turbo engine | 1JZ-GTE twin turbo | 1JZ-GTE VVT-i single turbo | 1JZ-GTE VVT-i single turbo |
| Tax today | 5% VAT, no duty | Check the build date | 10% duty + 20% VAT |
The JZX100 is the one most people picture, and it was the last Chaser. The JZX110 carried on as the Mark II only, and in turbo form it is the most modern of the three. The JZX90 is the oldest, and that age now works in its favour on tax.
What to check before you buy
These cars have a following in drifting, and that is the main thing to look for. A car that has spent years going sideways can have tired bodywork, bent parts and a lot of history the seller has forgotten. A clean, standard car is the safer buy and the easier import.
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 9 done
The auction sheet tells you a lot, and a full translation of the inspector's notes is worth asking for. Our guides to Japanese auction grades and buying a car abroad safely cover the checks in more detail.
Modified cars
Many of these cars have been modified, from simple exhausts and wheels to full engine swaps. That is not a barrier to importing. A car over 10 years old takes an MOT, not an IVA test, so the question is whether it is safe and roadworthy, and whether the modifications are declared to your insurer.
Shipping and import tax
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. A non-runner or a project car can go in a container instead. 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.
A car under 30 years old 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 pays 5% VAT and no duty. Every JZX90 now qualifies. A JZX100 built before October 1996 does too, but most were built after that, so check the date on the car you are buying.
Looking at an early JZX100? Send us the chassis number before you buy. A few months of build date can be the difference between 5% VAT and the full rate.
Our worked tax examples show the sums side by side, and the import tax calculator runs your own numbers. If you are moving to the UK and qualify, Transfer of Residence can bring the car in with no VAT or duty at all.
Getting it road legal
Every JZX90, JZX100 and JZX110 is over 10 years old, so none of them needs an IVA test. GOV.UK exempts cars of that age from vehicle approval, and they take an MOT instead. The speedometer conversion to mph is only required on cars under 10 years old, so these keep their originals.
Because they are right-hand drive, 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 up other turbocharged Toyotas and Nissans from the same era, our guides to the Supra Mk IV and the Skyline GT-R follow the same pattern.
Insurance
Get an insurance quote before you commit, especially on a modified car. Insurers are used to Japanese imports but will want a full list of changes. Our guide to insuring a Japanese import covers what they ask for.
Questions people ask
Can I import a Toyota Chaser to the UK?
Yes. A Chaser follows the same route as any car from Japan: shipping, customs, a rear fog light if needed, an MOT, then DVLA registration. Being over 10 years old, it does not need an IVA test.
Does a JZX100 qualify for the 5% import VAT rate?
Only if it was built before October 1996, as the car has to be over 30 years old. Most JZX100s were built later and pay 10% duty and 20% VAT. Every JZX90 now qualifies.
What is the difference between a Chaser and a Mark II?
They are sister models sold through different Toyota dealer networks in Japan, sharing engines and running gear. The Chaser ended after the JZX100, and the JZX110 was sold as the Mark II only.
Can I import a modified or drift car?
Yes. A car over 10 years old takes an MOT rather than an IVA test, so it needs to be safe and roadworthy. Declare every modification to your insurer.
How long does it take to ship one from Japan?
Usually about 5 to 8 weeks door to door, plus time for customs, any changes, the MOT and registration.
Found a Chaser or Mark II you like? Send us the auction lot or listing on the quote form and we will price the whole job.
