To import a car into the UK you must clear customs, tell HMRC through NOVA within 14 days, pay any tax, pass a test if the car needs one, get UK insurance, and register with the DVLA. That is the full list. Here it is in plain words, so you know what you are getting into before you buy.
The short checklist
Here is everything you need, start to finish. We go through each one below.
- Customs declaration when the car reaches the UK
- NOVA filed with HMRC within 14 days of arrival
- VAT and duty paid, unless the car qualifies for relief
- IVA test or MOT if the car's age needs one
- UK insurance in your name using the car's VIN
- DVLA registration on a V55/5 form, with the fee
1. Customs and NOVA
When the car arrives, it has to be declared to customs. Then you file NOVA. This tells HMRC the car is here. You have 14 days from arrival. NOVA must clear before the DVLA will register the car, so this is not a step to leave late.
2. Tax
Most cars pay duty and VAT. A normal car pays up to 10% duty and 20% VAT. A classic over 30 years old, in its original state and of a model no longer in production, pays 0% duty and just 5% VAT. If you are moving to the UK, you may pay nothing under Transfer of Residence relief. Our free import tax calculator gives you an estimate for your car in a couple of minutes.
Age is the biggest lever on cost. Qualifying as a classic (over 30 years old, original and no longer in production) can cut the tax bill by thousands. Check the exact build date before you buy.
3. Test: IVA or MOT
Some cars need a safety test called an IVA before they can be registered. This is common for newer non-EU cars. Cars over 10 years old usually skip the IVA and need a UK MOT. Vehicles built or first registered more than 40 years ago with no substantial changes are MOT-exempt, but must still be roadworthy.
4. Insurance
You need a UK insurance policy before you register the car. The insurer uses the VIN, since the car has no UK plate yet. Some imports cost more to insure, so get a quote before you buy, not after.
5. DVLA registration
The last step. A V55/5 form goes to the DVLA with your papers and the fee: we prepare and pre-fill it, you sign and post it. The DVLA gives the car a UK number and sends a V5C logbook. Then you get plates made, and once the car is taxed and insured (with an MOT if it needs one) it can go on the road.
Get these before the car ships: the foreign logbook, a bill of sale with the price, proof of shipping cost, proof of the car's age for a classic claim, and your ID and address. Missing papers are a common cause of delay.
Feels like a lot? It is.
We handle the customs, NOVA and the tax, and we prepare every DVLA form, you just sign and post. From £95.
Get my free import quoteHow long it all takes
An EU car is usually 3 to 6 weeks from arrival to a number plate. A non-EU car that needs shipping and an IVA test takes longer, sometimes a few months from buying to driving. Planning the papers early is what keeps it fast.
Since Brexit we have cleared over 1,500 vehicles into the UK. If you want the paperwork handled by one team, talk to us before you buy and we will tell you exactly what your car needs.