The Toyota Crown and the Toyota Century are two of Japan's great home-market saloons, and neither was ever officially sold here. That is exactly their appeal. The worry is that a car built purely for Japan, sometimes with a V12 and lace seat covers, will be a struggle to register. It follows the same route as any other Japanese import, and its age decides most of the work.
- Steering
- Right-hand drive, like ours
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Test
- IVA under 10 years, MOT over
Two very different Toyotas
The Crown is Toyota's long-running Japanese saloon, made in many generations since the 1950s. It was the car of choice for Japanese executives, police forces and taxi firms, and it came in a wide spread of versions, from comfortable Royal Saloons to sportier Athletes and the larger Majesta. There were estates too, and the boxy Crown Comfort taxi has a following of its own.
The Century sits above it. It is Toyota's flagship limousine, built in small numbers for the Japanese market and aimed at company chairmen and officials rather than owner-drivers. It is designed to be driven in, not to drive.
| Feature | First generation | Second generation | Third generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built | 1967 to 1997 | 1997 to 2017 | 2018 onwards |
| Engine | V8 | 5.0 litre V12 | V8 hybrid |
| UK test today | MOT, or none if over 40 and unchanged | MOT if built before 12 October 2016, otherwise IVA | IVA |
| Tax today | 5% rate possible if built before 12 October 1996 | Standard rate | Standard rate |
The second-generation Century, with its V12, is the one most UK buyers ask us about. It was the only Japanese production car of its time with a V12, and it has a cult following well beyond Japan.
The test depends on age
Both cars span so many years that the build date matters more than the badge. GOV.UK exempts cars over 10 years old from vehicle approval, so they take an MOT. A car under 10 years old takes an IVA test, and its speedometer has to read in mph.
| Built | What it needs |
|---|---|
| On or after 12 October 2016 | An IVA test, and a speedometer reading in mph |
| Before 12 October 2016 | An MOT, with a rear fog light if one is not fitted |
| Before 12 October 1986 | No MOT needed, as long as it has not been substantially changed |
Most Crowns and Centurys people import are older cars, so the MOT route is the common one. A recent Crown, or a third-generation Century, takes an IVA test on our own lane. We run one of only seven privately operated IVA centres in Great Britain, and our IVA test explained guide covers what the examiner checks.
Looking at a newer car? Send us the details before you buy. IVA is a more detailed test than an MOT, and we will tell you what the car is likely to need before you commit.
What to check before you buy
Many Crowns and Centurys were chauffeur cars or fleet cars, which can mean careful maintenance or very high use. The auction sheet and an inspection tell you which.
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 paperwork.
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, built before 12 October 1996, can instead pay 5% VAT and no duty. That takes in older Crowns and many first-generation Centurys.
Age is the starting point, not the whole test. 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. A well-kept standard car usually fits that description. A modernised or heavily modified one can be refused. Our guide to the historic vehicle 5% VAT rules sets out HMRC's conditions in full.
If you are moving to the UK and have owned the car for at least 6 months, after living abroad for at least 12, Transfer of Residence may mean no VAT or duty at all. The import tax calculator will run your own numbers.
Shipping a Crown or Century
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. If you bought at auction, the auction agent usually arranges the trip to the port.
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only. A Century is a long car, so we price each one on the car itself. 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
Both cars are right-hand drive, so the work is usually light on an older car. The common item is a rear fog light, fitted in the right position if one is missing. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance.
We do the changes and the MOT or IVA test on our own site in Castle Donington, and our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register the car within 10 working days. For the full route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan. If a big Toyota people carrier is more your thing, our Alphard and Vellfire guide covers those.
Living with one
Servicing a Crown is usually manageable, as much of the running gear is shared with other Toyotas and Lexus models. A Century is a rarer thing, and some parts will need to come from Japan. Our guide to parts and servicing for imported cars covers how owners manage it. Insurers will want to know the car is an import, and our guide to insuring a Japanese import explains what they ask for.
Questions people ask
Can I import a Toyota Century to the UK?
Yes. A Century follows the same route as any other car from Japan: customs, any UK changes, an MOT or IVA test depending on age, then DVLA registration.
Does an imported Crown or Century need an IVA test?
Only if it is under 10 years old. Working from 12 October 2026, a car built before 12 October 2016 is exempt from vehicle approval and takes an MOT instead.
Does a first-generation Century qualify for 5% import VAT?
Cars built before 12 October 1996 are over 30 years old and can be considered. HMRC also expects the car to be in its original state as a collectors' piece, so we check each car when we clear it.
What changes does a Crown need for the UK?
On an older car, usually a rear fog light if one is not fitted. A car under 10 years old also needs its speedometer in mph and takes an IVA test. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance.
How long does it take to import a Crown from Japan?
Shipping is usually about 5 to 8 weeks door to door. After that come customs, any changes, the test and DVLA registration.
Found a Crown or Century you like? Send us the auction lot or the seller's details on the quote form and we will price the whole job.
