Used Autozam AZ-1 Buying Guide: Import, Doors and Title

A used Autozam AZ-1 is worth buying when the gullwing doors open and seal properly, the import paperwork is complete, and your state will register a kei car for the road. Mazda built the AZ-1 from October 1992 to October 1994 and sold it under its Autozam brand, with Suzuki supplying the engine, according to its model history. Every AZ-1 is past the 25-year mark as of November 2026. It has no U.S. recall record on the NHTSA lookup, so the federal forms, your DMV and a careful inspection matter more than any database search.

What makes the AZ-1 different

The AZ-1 is a two-seat kei car with a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and gullwing doors. Production was short, so these cars are rarer than the Beat or Cappuccino, and parts unique to the body are hard to find. Suzuki also sold a version badged as the Cara. That rarity cuts both ways; a good one holds value, and a damaged one can be very costly to fix. Buy the best body you can afford.

Doors, glass and body panels

Open and close both doors several times. Weak gas struts, sagging hinges and torn seals let water into the cabin and can make the doors dangerous to use. Check the door glass and the large rear glass for cracks, since replacement can mean waiting on parts from Japan. Look for crash repair on the body panels and front structure, because a light hit on a car this small can mean a lot of hidden work. Our frame damage on CARFAX guide explains what a report can and cannot show.

State registration first

A legal import is not automatically a legal road car in your state. Some states have restricted kei-class vehicles on highways, and the rules have changed over time. Call your DMV before you buy, and ask what it needs to title a Japanese import and whether a kei car gets a normal plate. Our grey-market import title guide covers the title side.

Import paperwork to ask for

Ask for the CBP entry summary, the NHTSA HS-7, the EPA 3520-1 and the Japanese export certificate. NHTSA counts 25 years from the month of manufacture. Read the official NHTSA importing guidance if you are new to this. A title with no import file means you are trusting someone else's homework.

Engine and kilometers

The small Suzuki turbo three-cylinder sits behind the seats. Ask for a cold start, look for smoke on boost, check for oil and coolant leaks, and ask when the timing belt and turbo were last serviced. The dash reads kilometers, so compare it with the export certificate and auction sheet. Our kilometer-to-mile odometer fraud guide covers the mismatch to watch for.

Why the price spread is wide

Short production and a body full of unique parts mean asking prices can vary a lot from one AZ-1 to the next. Two cars with similar mileage can differ sharply because one has original glass, working doors and a full file, while the other has patched panels and no auction sheet. Compare several listings, ask each seller the same questions, and keep notes. Do not let rarity rush you into skipping the inspection.

Insurance, service and daily use

Call your insurer with the chassis number before you buy. Some carriers will not write a policy on a kei import, and others want photos and an agreed value. Find a shop near you that will work on a small Japanese import and can source parts through import specialists, because a car that sits waiting for a seal or sensor is no fun. Think honestly about where you will drive it. A kei car is light and small, and it shares the road with full-size trucks, so many owners keep these for weekend back roads rather than long highway commutes. Fit fresh tires before anything else, since old rubber on a light car is a real risk, and check the date code on every tire.

When to walk away

• Doors that will not stay open or seal shut.
• Cracked glass with no replacement lined up.
• Missing federal import forms or export certificate.
• A DMV that will not plate kei cars for road use.

Questions to ask the seller

• Has the car been in any crash, and who repaired it?
• Have the door struts, hinges or seals been replaced?
• Do you have the HS-7, EPA form, export certificate and auction sheet?
• Can I take it to an independent shop before money changes hands?

How to price a used AZ-1

Price the body and the glass first, then the paperwork. A straight, dry car with good doors and a complete file is worth a real premium. Subtract real quotes for door work, seals and any panel repair, and budget for a pre-purchase inspection.

What the report costs

As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.

Honestly, on a car this rare the report is the cheap part. Run the VIN once it has a U.S. title.

Sources

• NHTSA: importing a vehicle
• EPA: importing vehicles and engines
• NMVTIS title history (U.S. DOJ)
• Autozam AZ-1 model history