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Vehicle modifications

Making sure your vehicle is compliant in the United Kingdom is one of the most important steps to getting your vehicle road registered. We have included some guidance on what most vehicles will undergo, but every car is different.

We handle the entire process of making your car compliant for UK roads

You can import a car from virtually anywhere in the world, but they will need certain modifications and relevant testing before we can register them. The fastest way to know what will be required to register your vehicle is to get a quote, but we have included some guidance for those who wish to understand it.

Rear fog lights

We can convert or modify your rear fog lights to illuminate to a UK compliant standard, without spoiling the aesthetics of the car.

American lighting conversions

We have vast experience of modifying American spec cars to operate in accordance with UK standards.

Headlight conversions

The majority of modern headlights can have their beam patterns adjusted to a UK variant, we have the knowledge to do this.

Speedometers

If your car is under ten years old and needs to read MPH, we can convert the speedometer to do so.

MOT testing

The majority of cars need an MOT test before being registered, we conduct this onsite at My Car Import. Your car will need an MOT test every year once registered.

IVA & MSVA testing

If your car is under ten years old and from outside the EU, it may need an IVA or MSVA test. We conduct these test onsite at our own private testing facility. These tests are a one time event to show the DVSA to car is compliant and roadworthy.

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What is the process when your vehicle arrives at My Car Import?

Every car is different and your quote will reflect this, but what happens once your car arrives at My Car Import?

Checking in your vehicle

1

Unloading

Your vehicle is unloaded at our premises, whether this is from a container or transporter.
2

Inspection

A general inspection is given to the vehicle for anything obvious in regards to damage or perhaps non starting issues.
3

Check in video

We take the time to make you a video that shows your vehicle, and serves as a bit of peace of mind that it is here and safe.
4

Recommendations

We will tell you what is required and go through the details of what we will be doing, along with recommendations for servicing if required.

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Modifying your Vehicle

1

Scheduled for work

We schedule in your car at our premises for work to be undertaken, and the vehicle is moved into our workshop.
2

Modifications

The required modifications are made and any issues are conveyed if any arise. Sometimes this can be simply asking where you want your side repeaters on a US spec car.
3

Servicing & Extras

If you want us to service the vehicle this is usually undertaken at the same time so that your car can be checked out from the workshop ready for testing.

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Will I pay import tax?

Are you moving to the UK?

If you are moving to the UK, have lived outside the UK for more than 12 months and have owned the car for more than 6 months, you will be eligible for a tax and duty free import.

To qualify, you will complete a Transfer of Residency application with HMRC. Customers of My Car Import have access to handy guides to complete this application.

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Have you bought a car from the EU?

Vehicles registered in the EU attract 20% import VAT, based on the purchase price of the car and any associated transport costs to bring it to the UK. The import VAT is calculated on your purchase invoice for the car, or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.

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Have you bought a car from outside the EU?

Vehicles registered outside the EU attract 20% import VAT and 10% import Duty, based on the purchase price of the car and any associated transport costs to bring it to the UK. The import VAT is calculated on your purchase invoice for the car, or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.

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Have you bought a classic car?

Vehicles over 30 years old qualify for a special rate of taxation, due to their historical interest, similar to an antiquity.

You will pay 5% import VAT and no import Duty, based on the purchase price of the car and any associated transport costs to bring it to the UK. The import VAT is calculated on your purchase invoice for the car, or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.

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Have you got a car that was formerly UK registered?

If you exported a car from the UK and are now returning with it, you may be able to import the car back into the UK tax free, as long as you can provide a UK purchase invoice when you acquired the car, along with a copy of your former UK V5C logbook.

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For a no obligation quotation to import your car fill out our quote form.

We have imported thousands of cars from around the world into the United Kingdom and we have over 25 years experience doing so.

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