The third-generation MR2 is a light, mid-engined soft-top, and in Japan it was sold as the MR-S. The UK had the same car as the MR2 Roadster, so the obvious question is whether a Japanese one is worth the trouble. Often it is, as long as you know what to look for, especially if the car has the sequential gearbox. Every one is now old enough for a plain MOT, which keeps the import simple.
- Built
- 1999 to 2007, chassis code ZZW30
- 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
MR-S or MR2 Roadster?
Under the badges they are the same car: a 1.8 litre petrol engine behind the seats, rear-wheel drive and a folding roof. Both were built right-hand drive, so a Japanese car needs very little changing to suit UK roads. The differences are mostly in where the car has lived and what it comes with.
| Feature | Japanese MR-S | UK MR2 Roadster |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | Right-hand drive | Right-hand drive |
| Speedometer | km/h, no conversion needed to register | mph |
| Rear fog light | May need one fitted | Fitted from the factory |
| History | Auction sheet and export certificate | UK MOT history and service book |
| Import tax | 10% duty + 20% VAT | None, already here |
If you want the background on the earlier AW11 and SW20 cars, our Toyota MR2 import guide covers all three generations. This page is about the roadster on its own.
The SMT gearbox
Some cars have a manual gearbox with a normal clutch pedal. Others have the SMT, Toyota's sequential manual, where the car works the clutch for you and you change gear with buttons or the lever. There is no clutch pedal, and it is not a conventional automatic.
A healthy SMT is fun to use. A tired one can be slow, jerky or reluctant to select a gear, and putting it right is more involved than replacing a clutch on a manual. So on an SMT car, the gearbox is the first thing to judge. Look for smooth changes up and down, a clean pull away from a standstill and no warning lights. If the auction sheet or the seller mentions gearbox trouble, assume it needs work and price the car with that in mind.
Not sure about an SMT car? Send us the lot details before you bid. We will tell you what to ask the auction agent and what an inspection should cover.
What to check before you buy
The roadster is a simple car in most ways, but it is now at least 19 years old. Age, a fabric roof and an engine you cannot see make a careful look at the sheet and the photos worthwhile.
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 8 done
Our guide to Japanese auction grades explains how to read the sheet, and history checks for imported cars covers what you can find out before the car ships. The Japanese import checklist runs through the paperwork.
The test depends on age
GOV.UK exempts cars over 10 years old from vehicle approval. Production of the ZZW30 ended in 2007, so every MR-S is past that line and takes an MOT rather than an IVA test.
| Age of the car | What it needs |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years | An IVA test, and a speedometer reading in mph |
| 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 |
Every MR-S sits in the middle row. The mph speedometer rule only applies to cars under 10, so a Japanese car can be registered with its km/h speedo. Plenty of owners still choose to convert it for everyday driving, and we can do that in-house.
Import tax
A car from Japan 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. The 5% rate for cars over 30 years old does not help here yet. The earliest roadsters were built in 1999, so none reaches 30 until 2029.
If you are moving to the UK, have lived abroad for at least 12 months and have owned the car for at least 6, Transfer of Residence can bring it in with no VAT or duty. The import tax calculator runs your own numbers, and our cost of importing from Japan guide works through a full example.
Road tax and ULEZ
Road tax depends on when the car was first registered in Japan. Before 1 March 2001 it is taxed on engine size. After that it is taxed on CO2, but a Japanese car often has no European CO2 figure, and then it is taxed on engine size too. At 1.8 litres, that usually means the higher engine-size band. Our guide to road tax for imported cars has the current rates.
The ULEZ asks for Euro 4 on a petrol car. Many cars of this age meet it, but a Japanese import may have no Euro standard on record, so TfL can need evidence. Our guide to ULEZ and imported cars explains what to gather.
Shipping an MR-S
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. A non-runner, or an SMT car that will not select a gear, goes in a container.
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
Because the MR-S is right-hand drive, the list of changes is short. The usual one 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, which keeps the work down.
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. Insurers will want to know it is an import and whether it has been modified, and our guide to insuring a Japanese import covers what they ask. For the full route, see importing a car from Japan.
Questions people ask
Is the MR-S the same car as the MR2 Roadster?
Yes. MR-S is the Japanese name for the third-generation ZZW30. The UK version was sold as the MR2 Roadster, and both are right-hand drive.
Does an imported MR-S need an IVA test?
No. Production ended in 2007, so every car is over 10 years old and exempt from vehicle approval. It takes an MOT, with a rear fog light fitted first if one is missing.
Should I avoid an MR-S with the SMT gearbox?
Not necessarily. A healthy SMT works well, but a tired one costs more to put right than a manual clutch. Judge the gearbox first and price any problems into the car.
Does an MR-S qualify for 5% import VAT?
Not yet. The 5% rate is for cars over 30 years old, and the earliest roadsters were built in 1999. Until then it pays 10% duty and 20% VAT.
Do I need to convert the speedometer to mph?
Not for registration. The mph rule applies to cars under 10 years old. Many owners convert it anyway for day-to-day driving.
Found an MR-S you like? Send us the auction lot or the seller's details on the quote form and we will price the whole job.
