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 original condition, pays 0% duty and just 5% VAT. If you are moving to the UK, you may pay nothing under Transfer of Residence relief.
Age is the biggest lever on cost. Over 30 years and original 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 but still need an MOT if over 3 years old. Cars over 40 years old need neither, 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. You send the DVLA a V55/5 form with your papers and the fee. They give the car a UK number and send a V5C logbook. Then you get plates made and the car is road-legal.
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 the number one cause of delay.
Feels like a lot? It is.
We do every step for you: customs, NOVA, tax, test, and DVLA registration, from £95. You buy the car, we make it road-legal.
Get my free import assessmentHow 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 and registered over 1,500 vehicles into the UK. If you want the whole list handled by one team, talk to us before you buy and we will tell you exactly what your car needs.