Cyprus drives on the left, so right-hand-drive cars from the UK have long been a popular choice for buyers on the island. Buying from a distance has its risks, though: you may only see the car in photos, and once it's shipped, sorting out a problem is slow and expensive. These are the checks to do before you commit.
1. Check the car's UK history first
Every UK car leaves a trail of records: finance agreements, insurance claims, MOT tests, keeper changes. A UK car history check for Cyprus reads them by the UK registration, or by the VIN (chassis number) if the car no longer has UK plates. Do it before you pay a deposit, and again just before you pay the balance.
2. Outstanding finance
If finance is still owed, the car may belong to a UK lender, not to the seller. A car taken abroad with finance owing can lead to a dispute you can't easily resolve from Cyprus. The full report shows any finance agreement recorded against the car.
3. Accident damage and write-offs
Insurers record cars they've written off: Cat S for structural damage, Cat N for non-structural. Both can be repaired and driven again, but you should know before you ship, and pay a price that reflects it. The report also shows salvage auction records, often with the damage noted at the sale. See our write-off check.
4. Mileage
A car with fewer miles is worth more, which is why some sellers wind the clock back. The MOT history shows the mileage at every test since 2005; our check flags any reading lower than the one before. Compare the latest reading with the photos of the dashboard.
5. The V5C log book and the VIN
The Road Transport Department in Cyprus asks for the original UK registration certificate (V5C) to register a car from the UK, along with other documents and a Cypriot roadworthiness test. Make sure the seller has the original V5C, and that the VIN on it matches the VIN on the car and in your report. Our VIN decoder shows the make, model and year a VIN belongs to.
6. Check the current import rules
Since the UK left the EU, cars from the UK count as imports from a third country, with rules on age, approval and taxes that change from time to time. Check the current rules with the Road Transport Department and customs before you buy, not after the car has arrived.
A checklist before you buy
- Run a full UK car history check by reg or VIN.
- Ask for the original V5C and check the VIN matches.
- Ask for service records that back up the mileage.
- Get an independent inspection in the UK if you can't see the car yourself.
- Pay by a traceable method, never cash in full.
For more on how imported cars are recorded in the UK, read Imported cars and Q plates: what UK buyers should know.