An imported car is simply a vehicle that has been brought into the UK from somewhere else. This can include cars from Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, as well as other countries.
If you’re looking at buying one, it’s worth checking its history first. A service such as Full Car Checks can help you find out if a car has been imported and give you other useful information about its past. You should also ask the seller for any old paperwork, service records or registration documents from before the car came to the UK.
What types of imported cars are there?
Imported cars are generally classed as either parallel imports or grey imports.
Parallel imports usually come from Europe and tend to be closer to UK specifications, so registering and insuring them is normally less complicated.
Grey imports are usually brought in from countries such as Japan or the USA. These cars can be quite different from UK models and may need changes to things like the lights or emissions system before they meet UK requirements.
Are imported cars worth buying?
There can be some good reasons to buy an import. You might find a car for less money than a similar UK model, or you could get a version with better equipment or features that weren’t available here.
The downside is that they can sometimes be more expensive to insure and maintain. Finding certain parts can also take longer, especially if they have to be brought over from another country. Some garages may not be familiar with the car either.
You should also pay close attention to the mileage and service history. Imported cars don’t always have a complete UK history, and records from overseas can be difficult to check. This is one reason why doing a history check before buying is important.
Registering an imported car
An imported car needs to meet UK rules and be registered with the DVLA. What you need to do depends on where the car came from and what type of vehicle it is.
Some imports may need changes before they can be registered, while certain cars from outside Europe may need an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test.
The car will also need an MOT once it reaches the required age. Any changes needed to make the vehicle meet UK standards should be sorted before the test.
Insurance and servicing
Insurance can be one of the harder parts of owning an imported car. Some insurers won’t cover certain imports, while others may charge more. It can be worth getting a few quotes, including from companies that deal with imported vehicles.
Before buying, check that you can actually get parts and find a garage that knows the model. A car might look like a bargain at first, but expensive parts or difficult repairs can quickly change that.
Things to check before buying
An imported car isn’t necessarily something you should avoid. There are plenty of good imports on UK roads. Just make sure you know what you’re buying.
Check the vehicle’s history, find out where it originally came from, look at the paperwork and make sure the mileage adds up. It’s also a good idea to have the car inspected before handing over your money.
If everything checks out and you’re happy with the extra costs that can come with an import, it could be a good buy.
