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DVLA Car Import & Export Checks: What You Need to Know
Driving a unique imported car often turns heads, but before making a purchase, it’s crucial to check its import status. A DVLA car import and export check provides key details about whether a vehicle has ever been registered as an import or export, helping you check if a car is imported before buying.
If you’re considering buying a used car, combining a DVLA import check with a comprehensive vehicle history report is essential. Imported and exported vehicles come with potential risks, and being informed can help you avoid costly surprises. It also helps you identify potential risks such as cloned vehicles or hidden history, ensuring you don’t unknowingly purchase a problematic car.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about imported vehicles—how they can impact your purchase and how a car import and export check can protect you. Let’s dive in!
Why is a car import & export check important?
A DVLA import and export check helps you make a better buying decision by revealing the full vehicle history and identifying potential risks. As you know, shiny imported cars are expensive to maintain compared to locally manufactured cars, and for good reason. These vehicles are often not originally built for UK roads or standards. So, finding their spare parts is a hard nut to crack. Suppose you find a salvaged spare part of a similar model that will cost more. Sometimes, the spare parts price exceeds the car’s lifetime cost and could be a high risk.
Imported vehicles may also have differences in specifications, emissions standards, and safety features, which can impact insurance, servicing, and resale value.
Types of imported used cars
Three types of UK car imports are available:
- Grey Imported Vehicles
- Parallel Imported Vehicles
- Personal Imported Vehicles
Grey imported vehicles:
The grey imported vehicles don’t fit in the EU benchmarks. Commonly, they are high-detail Japanese or American models. Such cars aren’t easily accessible and are the hardest to insure. They have expensive spare parts and repair costs, which is a reason for complex insurance procedures. Furthermore, grey imported vehicles have a high risk of robbery. So, performing a detailed car import check with The Auto Experts could save you thousands of pounds.
Parallel imported vehicles:
Parallel imports are cars with specifications and standards comparable with the UK models. They are usually EU imports. Therefore, they generally comply with UK vehicle guidelines and are considered lower risk compared to grey imports. The parallel imported vehicles have cheap spare parts readily available in the UK. Thus, such Vehicles are accessible and affordable to insure. However, they might have some non-standard specifications, allowing insurance companies to increase premiums.
Personal imported vehicles:
Personal imports require you to import a vehicle through a vendor. Depending on the car you wish to buy, it could be a grey or parallel import. However, it’s your responsibility to enrol, tax, and ensure the vehicle – no matter the cost.
You will require insurance protection if you wish to bring your car to the UK and are a non-citizen. You should inform the insurer about the import if it’s an imported model. If you need to learn about the origin of your vehicle, check the DVLA V5c record.
Common mistakes to avoid during import and export
Here are some common mistakes to avoid during vehicle import and export:
- Neglecting Compliance with Local Regulations
- Overlooking Import Duties and Taxes
- Not Verifying Vehicle History and Condition
- Inadequate Documentation Preparation
- Choosing an Unreliable Shipping Partner
- Ignoring Insurance Needs
- Misunderstanding Foreign Exchange Rates
Avoiding these common mistakes can lead to a more efficient and cost-effective import or export experience.
How to check if a car is imported or exported?
Checking a car’s import/export status is quick and easy—all you need is the vehicle’s registered number plate. Simply enter the registration number into a vehicle history check, and you’ll get the details instantly.
At Auto Experts, the export status is available for free, while the import status is included in the premium report for £10.99.
However, not all imported cars are the same. Different types come with varying risks, which can impact a vehicle’s value and reliability. Understanding these differences is key to assessing the car’s true worth before making a purchase.
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What documents do I need to import a vehicle to the UK?
A customs clearance form (C384 or C&E 386), proof of identity, proof of address, and the original car registration certificate from the exporting nation are required.
You will also need to get a UK licence plate and register the car with the DVLA after it has been imported.
Why are imported vehicles so expensive?
Using non-original or substitute parts may lead to compatibility issues and reduced performance. It will cause compatibility problems and provide different efficiency. Moreover, insurance companies demand a higher premium on imported vehicles.
For these reasons, imported vehicles involve heavy paperwork when sold. They need to provide a better resale value. So, people avoid buying them. However, if you love the car, the car import and export check will give some reasons to bargain once it shows “imported”
Points to remember:
If you wish to import a car, you will need some formalities and documentation. It’s easy but certainly time-consuming for non-professionals. However, you can always hire an importer to complete the following formalities. Or do them yourself:
- Inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through the NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals) system within 14 days of importing the vehicle.
- Get approval by proving your vehicle is entirely safe for UK roads.
- Register your car with the DVLA.
- Get car insurance to drive on UK roads legally.
Do imported cars have a VIN?
When car owners consider import and export, they must know that imported cars have a VIN or Vehicle Identification Number.
This number has 17 characters, which differs from the car’s registration number. It helps authorities inventory car imports and exports and indicates ownership in car theft cases.
The VIN is usually displayed on the car’s dashboard near the windshield but can also be found in other parts, such as the engine bay and door jambs.
Knowing the vehicle’s VIN is essential for running a vehicle history check and verifying its identity for anyone considering car imports and exports to ensure their safety and security.
Importing a vehicle: procedures and checks
Importing a vehicle requires adherence to specific procedures and checks the importing country imposes. These may include verifying the vehicle’s compliance with safety and emissions standards, conducting inspections, and paying import duties and taxes. Understanding the import process and fulfilling the requirements is crucial to avoid delays or penalties.
Ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards
Importing or exporting a vehicle often requires meeting safety and environmental standards set by both the exporting and importing countries. This section highlights the importance of compliance with these standards and discusses common certifications and inspections needed to ensure the vehicle’s eligibility for import or export.
UK Cars vs Imported Cars – Key Differences
Imported cars may differ from UK vehicles in several ways:
- Speedometer units (km/h vs mph)
- Headlight alignment for UK roads
- Emissions and compliance standards
- Availability of spare parts
- Insurance costs
Understanding these differences helps you make a more informed buying decision.
Conclusion
The imported vehicles come with expensive insurance deals. Sometimes, the insurance companies won’t even provide insurance. For that reason, most people avoid buying imported cars. That’s one of the reasons you can get a discount from the seller.
However, it’s only possible if you know it’s an import. So, get a free car import to check at The Auto Experts to understand exactly what you’re buying before making a decision. If you have any doubts about a vehicle, check to see if it has ever been exported or imported for free.
Answering your questions
Why is a car import check important before buying a used vehicle?
A car import check helps you identify whether the vehicle was brought into the UK from overseas, which can affect its resale value, insurance premiums, and compatibility with UK road standards. Grey imports may lack EU-type approval and cost more to insure or maintain. Running a DVLA import check ensures you’re not buying a car that doesn’t meet UK safety or emission standards.
Can the DVLA import check tell me if a car is a grey or parallel import?
The DVLA import check may only show the “Imported” status but not specify whether it’s a grey import (non-EU spec vehicles, often from Japan or the US) or a parallel import (same-spec EU vehicles). For a breakdown of the import type, full service history, and potential risks, use a comprehensive car import check.
How do you tell if a car is a UK import?
You can get the entire UK history on a UK number plate using The Auto Expert. We will give you the UK history and car import and export checks for previously imported and Irish-plated UK cars.
How do I register an imported car with the DVLA?
Fill out the V55/5 form and send it to the DVLA with the required paperwork, including a vehicle approval certificate, proof of customs clearance, and the original registration certificate, to register an imported vehicle.
Upon successful registration, the DVLA will issue a UK registration number.
Do you have to pay tax on imported cars?
Import duties in the UK depend on the vehicle’s origin, value, and VAT rules. Charges may include VAT and customs duty based on HMRC regulations. Rates can vary depending on the type of vehicle and where it is imported from.
Do I need insurance to import a car to the UK?
Yes, you will require international or temporary insurance coverage while importing.
You cannot drive the car on public roads until you get UK-based insurance after it has been registered in the country.
Do UK customs take a long time to clear a car?
For air freight imports, road freight imports, and all exports, the goods should be cleared within two hours after being submitted if you’ve provided the documents HMRC needs.
What information does a car import and export check provide?
The check provides details about the specific regulations, taxes, duties, safety standards, and documentation needed for importing or exporting a car.
Can I import a left-hand drive vehicle to the UK?
Yes, imports of left-hand drive cars are permitted, but they must comply with UK safety and environmental regulations. The headlights, speedometer, and emissions systems frequently need to be modified for this.
How can I check if a car is imported in the UK?
You can check if a car is imported by running a vehicle history check using the registration number. This will show whether the vehicle was originally registered outside the UK.