When importing a car to the UK from overseas, it is often necessary to change the speedometer from kilometers per hour (km/h) to miles per hour (mph). This is due to the UK’s necessity for mph as a standard unit of measurement for speed, while many other countries use km/h.
If your car is under 10 years old at the point of import, we will need your speedometer to read in mp/h.
We do this as part of our full import service.
In the UK, all speed limits and road signs use miles per hour (mph) as the unit of measurement.
If your car is being driven on UK roads, it must have a speedometer that is capable of displaying speed in mph. This is especially important for imported cars, which may have a speedometer that displays speed in kilometers per hour (km/h) by default, the standard unit of measurement in many other countries.
If a car’s speedometer is incapable of displaying speed in mph, it is difficult for a driver to accurately gauge their speed and comply with UK speed limits. This is a safety hazard on the road.
It is necessary to convert the speedometer on an imported car from km/h to mph when under 10 years old, and recommended for cars over 10 years old. This ensures that the driver can safely and accurately monitor their speed.
A speedometer fascia, also known as a speedometer gauge cluster or instrument cluster, is a component found on the dashboard of a car. It is a vital part of a car’s instrumentation and provides the driver with important information about the car’s speed, engine RPM (revolutions per minute), fuel level, engine temperature, and other critical indicators.
The speedometer itself is the main gauge that displays the car’s current speed, usually in miles per hour (mph) or kilometres per hour (km/h), depending on the country’s standard. It allows the driver to monitor their speed and stay within legal speed limits, promoting safe driving.
The fascia, in this context, refers to the housing or casing that surrounds the various gauges and indicators in the instrument cluster. It provides a unified and organized appearance to the dashboard and helps protect the delicate electronic components inside.
In modern cars, the speedometer fascia may be a digital display, which can show not only the speed but also other information in a graphical or numerical format. Older cars often have analogue speedometers with physical needles indicating the speed.
The design and layout of the speedometer fascia can vary significantly between different car models and manufacturers. Some may have a simple and minimalist design, while others may include additional features like a tachometer (shows engine RPM), odometer (displays total distance travelled), trip meters, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and warning lights for various car systems.
Overall, the speedometer fascia is an essential component in a car’s dashboard that allows the driver to stay informed about the car’s performance and critical functions while driving.
Converting an analogue speedometer from kilometres per hour (km/h) to miles per hour (mph) typically involves replacing the speedometer gauge face or dial with one that displays the speed in mph.
We find the correct replacement based on your car model. These vary, and finding the correct one is important.
To access the speedometer, we need to remove the dashboard panel. This process varies depending on the car. Generally, it involves removing screws, clips, and potentially other parts that secure the dashboard panel in place.
Please be aware that we don’t recommend trying this yourself. The panels can be tricky to replace once removed.
We carefully remove the current speedometer dial from the gauge cluster, take the new mph speedometer dial and securely attach it to the gauge cluster in the same manner that the old dial was connected. Occasionally, additional steps are necessary depending on the car, some fascia are glued in!
Once the speedometer housing is put back together, we check it is calibrated.
From a cost-saving perspective, this is something that you can do yourself. However, it is extremely tricky and not something that we recommend. We always advise that you work with a professional who can ensure that all fittings are in place correctly. It also provides you with peace of mind that you’re fully compliant.
The cost is dependant on your fascia and the vehicle. For more information on how much it will cost to convert your speedometer don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information.
Speedometer conversion is necessary when importing a vehicle into a country that uses a different speed measurement system. For example:
If done correctly, it should not affect the odometer.
If an electronic converter is installed, the odometer may also change units (km to miles or vice versa).
