Advice on importing a car
There are two types of cars you can import; a parallel import, and a grey import. A parallelimport is a car from Europe which is built to UK specifications and EU Type Approved, whereas grey imports come from further afield and are not built to UK or EU specifications.
If you are buying a grey import it is important to check the availability of spare parts, warranty, servicing, and other practical aspects of owning a car are viable, as although the car itself may be desirable, the cost of its upkeep may not. Bear in mind that it may well also need to be altered to meet UK specifications.
If you are buying an import from the EU and wish to avoid extra expense, ensure that the carcomplies with UK laws. If it is a new car, ask for a Certificate of Conformity, which will allow you to registerit as a brand new car.
Imported car registration
You are not allowed to drive your imported car without it having been registered, taxed and insured, so make arrangements for it to be transported from the site of import to your home.
As soon as possible after the car enters the UK, it will need to be taken for an inspection under the Single Vehicle Approval Scheme (SVA). This is a pre-registration inspection, and it will check whetheryour car needs to have any modifications made to it before you can apply for registration. To attend this appointment is the only time you can drive your imported car in the UK before it is properly registered and licensed.
To register your vehicle as new, you must apply to the DVLA within 14 days of its arrival inthe UK, and it must have only reasonable delivery mileage and no previous registered owners. A Certificate of Conformity or equivalent is also usually necessary.
To register a pre-owned vehicle, it will need to have a certificate from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) under the Mutual Recognition Scheme, showing that any necessary modification changes have been made.
For more information, please see www.dvla.gov.uk
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