We can takeover the process of importing your car at any stage of the process.
Perhaps you are moving to the United Kingdom, or have your eye on a low mileage classic car. Whatever the reason for importing a car to the UK we can help to get it on the road in the UK.
Our streamlined process means that we are the fastest in the United Kingdom to get your car or motorbike road registered.
We offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet your transportation needs. This means that we can offer a wide variety of options suited to your individual budget.
With our own enclosed multi car transporter we are regularly embarking on journeys to the EU to collect vehicles. This ensures a seamless and efficient process for our clients, whether they require enclosed road haulage or shipping services from Europe.
Our multi car transporter is equipped to handle a variety of vehicle types. Whether you have classic cars or luxury cars, we have the expertise and equipment to transport them safely.
We also work with a variety of partners to ensure that we maintain a strong network of partners and routes to accommodate your specific requirements, ensuring that your vehicles are transported securely and efficiently to their destination.
Once your car is in the United Kingdom, we can assist with the modification process of your vehicle.
This can vary slightly on the year of the vehicle, but at the time of quotation we will tell you the best route to registering your car or motorbike in the United Kingdom.
The common modifications to your vehicle will include most likely include adjustments to headlights, fitting rear fog lights, and changing speedometers fascia’s.
Your headlights might need adjusting or changing.
LHD cars are typically equipped with headlights that are designed for driving on the right-hand side of the road, whereas the UK drives on the left-hand side.
If you look at your headlights you will notice that the left headlight is almost dipped down to avoid dazzling road users on the other side of the road.
You might need a rear fog light.
In the UK, vehicles are required to have a rear fog light on the right-hand side of the vehicle.
Many EU cars have rear fog lights on the left-hand side or may not have them at all. To comply with UK regulations it has to be on the right.
Your speedometer might need adjustment.
In the United Kingdom speedometers must read in miles per hour , not kilometres per hour. As a result, the speedometer needs to be recalibrated or the fascia replaced to display speed readings in mph.
These are the most commonly undertaken modifications on LHD vehicles and we can assist with all of them.
We always recommend filling in a quotation for more information.
Before we can put your vehicle in for the expedited registration process, it’s essential to understand the prerequisites that must be met when importing a car into the UK.
Your car will either require an MOT or an IVA test beforehand.
MOT Test: Importing a car into the UK often necessitates undergoing a Ministry of Transport (MOT) test. This examination ensures that the vehicle meets the UK’s safety and emissions standards. It’s a comprehensive assessment that covers various aspects such as brakes, lights, emissions, and structural integrity. Passing the MOT is a vital prerequisite for road legality and safety.
IVA Test (Individual Vehicle Approval): In certain cases, especially for cars that don’t conform to standard EU or UK specifications, an IVA test may be required. This thorough examination evaluates the vehicle’s conformity to specific UK regulations, including those related to emissions, safety, and construction. Passing the IVA test is essential before the vehicle can be registered and driven legally on UK roads.
With these prerequisites in mind, our dedicated trade association account with the DVLA plays a pivotal role in simplifying the registration process for imported vehicles. We offer a streamlined and efficient service with a swift turnaround time of just 10 working days for registration.
This means that once your vehicle has successfully undergone the necessary MOT or IVA tests and meets all the compliance requirements, we can swiftly handle the paperwork and registration, ensuring that your imported car is road legal and ready for use within a minimal timeframe.
Upon receiving your registration number, our dedicated team springs into action to ensure a seamless transition for your newly registered vehicle.
We will order your number plates the moment we get the registration number. These are made in strict accordance with DVLA regulations, ensuring that they meet all legal requirements and display your registration number clearly and legibly.
Depending on your preferences and convenience, we offer options for either collecting the number plates in person or arranging their delivery to a location of your choice. Our team is dedicated to accommodating your needs and ensuring that you receive your plates in a timely and convenient manner.
We understand that it can feel like a long process to get your vehicle back so we aim to make this part of the process as seamless as possible.
We would always advise you to fill in a quote form. This gives you the quickest route to getting a firm price for importing your car or motorbike to the United Kingdom.
If you would like an idea on the factors that can affect the price to import your vehicle to the United Kingdom though, here are a few of the things to take into consideration.
What region of the EU are you importing your car from?
The import rates will be the same to get your car here regardless of what EU state you are importing from, but this can effect the transportation price.
What car or motorbike are you importing?
Depending on the vehicle will affect the price. For example, some headlights on cars can be adjusted and others can’t. Some cars will come with dual rear fog lights and others will have a digital speedometer.
How are you getting the car here?
Driving it can be an attractive option that might save you some money, but depending on the vehicle you might want it transported.
Our fees for importing your car
Depending on what you need help with will really effect the overall price. Our rates are dependant on how much of the process we are handling on your behalf.
Consider the exchange rates
We accept £GBP but it is worth factoring in the exchange rates as this might affect the total cost depending on whether you are moving to the UK, or buying a car from the EU.
It is hard to give an accurate price without having the details of the vehicle, and what you need help with. So we always advise on filling in a quote form to get the most accurate figure to import your car.
My Car Import is here to help with getting your car from the EU to the UK. However, the time it takes to transport a car from Europe to the UK can vary depending on several factors, including the method of transportation, the specific route, and any logistical considerations. This is something that we take care of when you decide to import your car with us.
As such there really isn’t a definitive answer as to how long it can take to transport a car as this depends on the routes of the transporters, and the time to collect other vehicles along the way.
Our multi car transporter will take a variety of routes that take it through a number of different EU states meaning that your car might be collected first, or last.
At the time of quotation we will give you a rough idea of when we plan to collect your vehicle if you go ahead.
The time it takes to ship a car from Europe to another destination can vary depending on several factors, including the distance, the shipping method chosen, the specific route, and potential delays. Here are some general estimates for different shipping methods:
Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) Shipping:
This is one of the most common methods for shipping cars internationally. It involves driving the vehicle onto a specialized vessel (Ro-Ro ship) and driving it off at the destination. Shipping times typically range from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the destination and the shipping company’s schedule. Shorter distances within Europe may take less time.
Container Shipping:
Cars can also be shipped in containers. The shipping time for containerized car transport can be similar to Ro-Ro shipping, ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the route and any transshipment points.
Air Freight:
If you need to expedite the shipping process, you can opt for air freight, which is significantly faster than sea transport. Shipping a car by air can take a matter of days or a week, but it is much more expensive than sea transport.
Inland Transportation:
If your car needs to be transported to a major port before being shipped overseas, you should factor in additional time for inland transportation. The duration of this phase depends on the distance and mode of inland transport (e.g., by truck or train).
Customs Clearance: Customs clearance procedures can also add time to the shipping process. The time it takes to clear customs can vary from country to country and may be influenced by factors such as documentation accuracy and any potential inspections.
Shipping Company and Route:
The choice of shipping company and the specific route taken can impact shipping times. Some routes may be more direct and have more frequent departures, reducing transit times.
Season and Weather Conditions:
Weather conditions, particularly in the winter months, can affect shipping schedules. Adverse weather may lead to delays.
Documentation and Regulations:
Ensure that all necessary documentation, including export/import permits and compliance with local regulations, is in order to prevent delays.
In summary, the time it takes to ship a car from Europe can vary widely based on the factors mentioned above. It’s essential to work with a reputable shipping company, plan well in advance, and consider the shipping method that best suits your needs and timeline.
