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Our own workshop and testing lane
Vehicle Modifications
We handle the entire process of ensuring that your car is fully compliant for use on UK roads.
- Rear fog lights converted to UK standard
- Headlight beam patterns adjusted to UK
- Speedometers converted to read in MPH
- American spec cars brought to UK standard
- MOT testing onsite at our premises
- IVA and MSVA at our own private facility
Compliance work
What your car is likely to need
You can import a car from pretty much anywhere in the world, but it will need certain modifications and relevant testing before it can be legally registered. The quickest way to establish your requirements is by contacting us for a quote.
Modifications we carry out
Rear Fog Lights
We can convert or modify your rear fog lights to illuminate to a UK compliant standard. That's without spoiling the aesthetics of the car.
Headlight Conversions
Most modern headlights can have their beam patterns adjusted to a UK variant, and we have the knowledge to do this.
American Lighting Conversions
We have vast experience of modifying American spec cars to operate in accordance with UK standards.
Speedometers
All UK speedometers must read in miles per hour (MPH). If your car is under ten years old and needs to read MPH, we can convert the speedometer for you. We strongly recommend that you don't attempt to do this yourself.
Compliance Conversions
If there are other things that don't quite conform to the standards outlined to register a car here we can help. From kit cars through to complex registrations we can help.
Emissions
If your vehicle fails on any emissions testing we can assist with getting it through any required testing or by supplying third party documentation.
Testing we carry out onsite
MOT Testing
The majority of cars need an MOT test prior to registration. We conduct this onsite at our premises. Your car will need an MOT test every year once registered.
IVA Testing
If your car is under ten years old and from outside the EU, it may need an IVA test. We conduct these tests onsite at our own private testing facility. These tests are a one time event to demonstrate to the DVSA that your car is compliant and roadworthy.
MSVA Testing
Depending on where your motorbike is from and the age of it, you may require an MSVA test to get it registered in the United Kingdom. We have our own MSVA testing lane so can assist if required.
Making sure that your vehicle is compliant in the United Kingdom is one of the most important steps to getting your vehicle road registered. It's important to bear in mind that every car is different and requires a bespoke approach.
On arrival
What's the process when your vehicle arrives at My Car Import?
It's important to remember that every car is different so there's no one-size-fits-all approach. There are typical procedures that we can advise on, we just can't guarantee that every aspect will apply to your vehicle.
Checking in your vehicle
- 1
Unloading
Your vehicle is unloaded at our premises from either container or transporter.
- 2
Inspection
We fully inspect the state of the vehicle for obvious signs of damage or non-starting issues.
- 3
Check-in Video
We create a video of your vehicle and send it to you. Years of experience have taught us that this process offers peace of mind to customers.
- 4
Recommendations
We advise all that is required for your vehicle and run through the details of our plan with you. We'll make recommendations for servicing if we consider this necessary.
Modifying your vehicle
- 1
Scheduled for Work
We book your car in to begin work at our premises. The vehicle is then moved into our workshop.
- 2
Modifications
Any required modifications are carried out and we'll discuss any issues that may arise. Sometimes, this might be simply asking where you'd like your side repeaters on a US spec car, for example.
- 3
Servicing & Extras
Any servicing you've requested will be carried out at the same time. Your car can then be checked out from the workshop ready for testing.
Tell us what you are importing
Send us the car and where it is coming from and we will tell you what it needs, what it costs and how long it takes.
Next steps
What happens after the workshop
Modifications are one part of getting a car road legal in the UK. These pages cover the rest.
- Speedometer conversionSwapping the fascia so it reads in MPH, and recalibrating it.
- Headlight conversionsBeam patterns adjusted to the UK variant.
- Testing and registrationOnce the work is signed off, IVA, MSVA, MOT and your DVLA registration.
- Certificate of ConformityThe document that proves what your car was built to comply with.
- Date of buildGetting the build date right decides which rules your car is tested against.
- TransportGetting the car to our premises in the first place.