Imported cars are popular in the UK, from Japanese performance cars to European models not sold here. Most are fine, but an imported car's history before it arrived is harder to check, so it's worth knowing what to look for.
What an import marker means
A vehicle history check can show that a car was imported. Common reasons:
- Personal imports: someone moving to the UK brought their car.
- Grey imports: cars built for another market (often Japan) and imported to sell here.
- European cars bought abroad because they were cheaper or a special specification.
An import marker isn't a problem in itself, but it means the car's records from before it was registered in the UK may not appear in UK databases.
Extra checks for imported cars
- Mileage: an imported car may have shown kilometres. Check the speedometer and the recorded MOT readings use the same unit, and ask for export documents or auction sheets showing the mileage at import.
- History abroad: finance, accident damage or theft from before the import may not show in UK records. Ask for the car's paperwork from its home country.
- Specification: grey imports may differ from UK models (for example the lights, speedometer or emissions equipment), which can affect parts and insurance.
- Insurance: some insurers charge more for imports or need an agreed-value policy. Get a quote first.
- Year of manufacture: compare it with the first UK registration date. An older car registered here recently is almost certainly an import. Our year of manufacture check shows both.
What is a Q plate?
DVLA issues a Q registration when a vehicle's age or identity can't be confirmed. Examples include kit cars built from parts of unknown age, some rebuilt vehicles, and imports without enough proof of age. A Q plate tells you there's doubt about where the car came from.
- A Q-plated car can't display a private number plate.
- Q-plated cars are often worth less and can be harder to insure.
- Ask for all the build or rebuild paperwork, and be very careful with a Q-plated car that looks like a standard production model.
Check before you buy
A free check shows the vehicle details on record, the MOT history and the recorded mileage. The full report adds import and export markers, finance, theft and write-off records from the UK. See also what "marked for export" means.
Key points
- An import marker isn't a warning sign, but history from abroad may be missing.
- Check the mileage unit, import paperwork and insurance cost.
- A Q plate means DVLA couldn't confirm the vehicle's age or identity.