Published November 2026.
Imported cars can be a great buy: Japanese models the UK never had, well-kept cars from drier climates, or a better specification for the money. But a car’s history before it reached the UK is much harder to check, and that’s where the risks lie. Here’s how imports are registered, what can go wrong, and what to check.
Grey, parallel and personal imports
| Type | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Grey import | Built for a market outside Europe, often a model never sold new in the UK | A Japanese-market Toyota Alphard or Nissan Skyline |
| Parallel import | Built for another European market, with a UK equivalent | A German-market car bought in the EU |
| Personal import | Brought into the UK by an individual rather than a dealer | A car a buyer has moved from abroad |
The terms overlap and are used loosely, so ask the seller exactly where the car came from and when.
How an imported car gets UK registration
- HMRC: the importer must tell HMRC within 14 days of the car arriving, using the Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA) service, and pay any VAT and duty.
- Approval: cars under 10 years old need approval for UK roads: a European Certificate of Conformity for EU cars, or Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) for cars from elsewhere. Cars over 10 years old are exempt.
- DVLA: the car is registered with form V55/5 (£55 plus vehicle tax), and the DVLA issues a UK number plate and V5C logbook.
- Q plates: if the DVLA can’t confirm a car’s age or identity, it issues a “Q” registration instead of an age-related one. A Q plate is a reason to find out why.
Seriously damaged cars can’t be registered or taxed in the UK at all.
The risks for buyers
- Mileage: a car’s history abroad isn’t in UK mileage records, and some imports read in kilometres. Japanese cars should come with an export certificate and often an auction sheet, both of which record the mileage; ask for them and check the reading against the car.
- Finance and theft abroad: UK finance and stolen-vehicle records come from UK lenders, police and insurers. Finance owed to a foreign lender, or a theft reported abroad, may not appear.
- Damage: an accident before import may not show on UK write-off records. A Japanese auction sheet notes repairs.
- Recalls: UK manufacturers may not have records for a car never sold new here, so recall work might not have been done. Check with a specialist.
- Insurance and parts: grey imports can need specialist insurance and harder-to-find parts.
Is it an import? How to tell
Compare the car’s date of first registration with its year of manufacture, both of which the DVLA shows. A car built in 2018 but first registered in 2023 has probably spent its early years somewhere else. Our full car history check shows import and export markers, and a Q plate or a dateless plate is another clue.
Checks before you buy an imported car
- Run a full car history check: our Silver check (£3.99, or 5 for £9.99) shows whether the car is recorded as imported, as well as UK write-off, stolen and mileage records.
- Ask for the import paperwork: the export certificate (for Japanese cars), any auction sheet, the IVA or Certificate of Conformity, and the NOVA reference.
- Check the odometer units, and convert kilometres before comparing mileages.
- Have a specialist inspect it, ideally one who knows the model and market.
- Get an insurance quote before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a grey import car?
A car built for a market outside Europe, usually Japan or the USA, and brought into the UK privately. Many are models never sold new here.
How do I know if a car is imported?
Compare its date of first registration with its year of manufacture: a gap of several years suggests it was first registered abroad. A history check shows whether it’s recorded as imported.
Do imported cars have UK history?
Only from the date they were registered here. Their history abroad, including mileage, finance and damage, may not be on UK records.
What is a Q plate?
A registration the DVLA issues when it can’t confirm a vehicle’s age or identity, for example a kit car or an import without proper paperwork.
Sources
- GOV.UK: importing vehicles into the UK
- GOV.UK: registering an imported vehicle
- GOV.UK: vehicle approval and exemptions
- GOV.UK: Q registration numbers
- GOV.UK: check a vehicle recall
See whether a car is recorded as imported, written off or stolen with our full car history check.