MA70 · JZA70 · GA70
Toyota Supra A70 import check
MA70 is the factory model code for the Toyota Supra A70, built for the Japanese market from 1986 to 1993. Other versions carry JZA70 and GA70. Every genuine car has a chassis (frame) number that starts with its code, such as MA70-. That number is the one thing that links its Japanese history to its UK records.
MA70 at a glance
- Model code
- MA70
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Supra (A70)
- Body
- 3-door liftback
- Built
- 1986 to 1993
- Engine
- 7M-GTE (2954 cc turbo petrol)
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Japanese trims
- 3.0 GT Turbo, 3.0 GT Turbo Limited, 2.0 GT Twin Turbo, 2.5 GT Twin Turbo R, Aerotop
- Chassis number format
- MA70-nnnnnnn
From our own model library, compiled from public sources and not yet checked against a second source. UK records sometimes drop the hyphen or the leading zeros of the serial; our check allows for that.
Reading the MA70 chassis code
- MA70 is the 3.0 7M, JZA70 the 2.5 twin-turbo 1JZ and GA70 the 2.0 1G.
- The later A80 Supra is JZA80.
| Code | What it is | Engine | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA70 | Supra (A70) | 7M-GTE | 1986–1993 |
| JZA70 | 2.5 twin turbo 1JZ-GTE, from 1990 | 1JZ-GTE | 1990–1993 |
| GA70 | 2.0 1G engines | 1G-GTE / 1G-FE | 1986–1993 |
Have a chassis number? The chassis decoder reads it for you.
Is it a genuine MA70?
UK-market A70 Supras were sold here with a 17-character VIN. A Japanese import has a frame number starting MA70, JZA70 or GA70.
If you paste the advert into the free check, we compare its wording with the chassis code. An advert that says “Supra” on a car whose chassis code isn’t JZA80, MA70, JZA70 and GA70 gets flagged.
Known problems to check on an MA70
- 7M-GTE head-gasket failure: ask whether it has been done, with uprated head studs
- Rust in the rear arches, sills, tailgate and around the Aerotop roof seals
- TEMS adjustable suspension and digital dash faults
- Most have been modified: ask for a list of changes, receipts, and whether the insurer has been told
These are common issues for the model, not facts about any particular car. Ask the seller about each one.
Before you buy
- Check the coolant for oil and the oil for coolant
- Look for the targa roof panel’s seals and catches on Aerotop cars
The MA70 on a Japanese auction sheet
- The sheet names the car スープラ (Supra). Grade lines include ツインターボR (Twin Turbo R) on JZA70 cars.
Most imports were bought at a Japanese auction, and the inspector’s sheet records the grade, mileage and every mark on the body. Ask the seller for it, then run it through our auction sheet translator to read it in English and check the chassis number and mileage against the UK record.
Recalls in Japan for the MA70 family
Japan publishes every recall with the chassis numbers it covers. Run a recall check with the car’s chassis number to see whether any apply to it.
MOT record in the UK
Toyota Supra (A70 and A80)
- 15% of 2,690 first MOT tests failed in 2024 and 2025, 55% lower than the UK average for cars of the same age.
- Most common advisory: Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (11% of tests).
- Most common failure: Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (1.5% of tests).
Every Supra registered before the 2019 GR Supra, imported or sold new in the UK.
All Toyota Supra (A70 and A80) MOT statisticsFrom DVSA’s anonymised MOT data, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Kilometres, miles and the first UK MOT
An MA70 sold new in Japan has a speedometer in kilometres. When it is imported, the speedometer is either converted to miles or left in km, and the first UK MOT should record whichever the dial shows. Mistakes here are common, and they’re where mileage problems hide.
We put the Japanese auction mileage and every UK MOT reading on one timeline and check the crossing: whether the readings agree after converting, whether the km figure was written down as miles, and whether the first UK reading is lower than the car had already done in Japan. See an illustrative example.
Questions
What is the chassis code for the Toyota Supra A70?
MA70, with JZA70 and GA70 for other engines or drive layouts. A Japanese-market Toyota Supra A70 has a frame number that starts with its code, then a hyphen and a serial number. You’ll find it on the V5C and on a plate in the engine bay.
Which years was the MA70 built?
From 1986 to 1993, with the 7M-GTE (2954 cc turbo petrol) engine and RWD layout.
What should I check when buying an MA70?
7M-GTE head-gasket failure: ask whether it has been done, with uprated head studs. Rust in the rear arches, sills, tailgate and around the Aerotop roof seals. TEMS adjustable suspension and digital dash faults. Most have been modified: ask for a list of changes, receipts, and whether the insurer has been told. Check the coolant for oil and the oil for coolant. Look for the targa roof panel’s seals and catches on Aerotop cars. Also check that the Japanese auction mileage lines up with the first UK MOT, because km and miles are easily mixed up.