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Buying an imported car in the UK

RegVerdict guide·6 min read·Reviewed 17 June 2026

Parallel and personal imports, the paperwork that matters, and the extra checks before you buy one.

Imported cars can be genuinely good value, and some desirable models were only ever sold abroad. But an import comes with a few extra things to check that a normal UK car does not. Knowing them upfront lets you buy with confidence and avoid the cars that will cost you later.

The two kinds of import

  • Parallel imports are mainstream models brought in from another country, often within the EU. They are usually close to the UK specification, with small differences in equipment or paperwork.
  • Personal or grey imports are models never officially sold in the UK, commonly from Japan. They can offer rare cars and high specification, but parts, servicing and resale need more thought.

What to check before you buy

  • The paperwork. The V5C should show the car as imported. Check it has been properly registered with DVLA, and for a recent import, that the NOVA process with HMRC was completed.
  • Mileage units. Many imports read in kilometres. Make sure any advertised mileage has been converted correctly, so a genuine 120,000 km (about 75,000 miles) is not confused, and a real history is not mistaken for a discrepancy.
  • Insurance. Get a quote on the exact car before committing. Some insurers load imports or decline grey imports.
  • Parts and servicing. Confirm that service parts are available and affordable, and that a local garage is happy to work on it. This is the most common regret with grey imports.
  • Specification differences. Headlight beam pattern, rear fog lights, radio frequencies and driver aids can differ from UK cars and may need attention for the MOT or everyday use.
  • Resale. A smaller buyer pool means a weaker resale. Treat that as part of the cost of ownership.
A shorter UK history is normalAn import will usually have a shorter UK MOT history than its age suggests, because its early life was abroad. That is expected. What you are checking is that the UK history since registration is consistent and that the mileage only ever rises.

Reading the history of an import

Once a car is registered in the UK it builds the same MOT and mileage record as any other vehicle, so the same checks apply. Read the MOT history for how it has been maintained here, and check the mileage for rollbacks, bearing in mind the kilometres-to-miles conversion.

Run a RegVerdict check on the registration to see the UK MOT and mileage record and a clear verdict, then confirm the import paperwork and an insurance quote before you commit. Our used car buying checklist covers the rest of the viewing.

Common questions
What does it mean when a car is imported?
An imported car is one first registered abroad and later brought into the UK. A parallel import is a mainstream model brought in from another country, often the EU. A personal or grey import is a model never officially sold here, frequently from Japan. The V5C logbook records a vehicle as imported, and the import is also noted when it is first registered with DVLA.
Are imported cars worth less?
Often, yes. Imports can be harder to resell, so they tend to sell for less than an identical UK car, which can make them good value to buy. The trade-off is a smaller pool of future buyers, so factor the weaker resale into what you pay.
Is it harder or more expensive to insure an imported car?
It can be. Some insurers load the premium for imports or decline grey imports outright, because parts, repair data and specification differ from the UK version. Always get an insurance quote before you buy, using the exact vehicle details, so there are no surprises.
How do I check if a car is an import?
The V5C logbook states whether a vehicle was imported. The DVLA record shows the date it was first registered in the UK, which on an import is later than the car's build year. A history check and the MOT record can also reveal a short UK history relative to the car's age. If the mileage is shown in kilometres, that is another sign.
What is a NOVA and why does it matter?
NOVA stands for Notification of Vehicle Arrival. It is the HMRC process that confirms any VAT and duty due on an imported vehicle has been dealt with, and it must be completed before the car can be registered with DVLA. If you are buying an import that is not yet UK-registered, make sure the NOVA and registration are sorted, or that you understand who is responsible for them.

Check before you commit

Enter a registration for an instant, evidenced verdict on mileage, MOT history and known faults.

Keep reading
Write-off categoriesWhat Cat A, B, S and N actually mean, whether the car is safe to buy, and how hard to negotiate.Car clockingHow odometer fraud works, the tell-tale signs, and how to check a mileage history for rollbacks.Outstanding financeWhy money still owed on a car can become your problem, and how to protect yourself before you pay.

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