Our free car check includes a line that most buyers never think about: whether the vehicle is marked for export. Usually the answer is no. If it's yes, you need to understand why before you buy.
What the export marker means
When a keeper takes a vehicle out of the UK permanently, they tell DVLA using the V5C. DVLA then records the vehicle as exported. The export marker on a car's record means DVLA has been told the vehicle was leaving, or had left, the country.
Why a car for sale in the UK might be marked for export
- It went abroad and came back. The car was exported and later re-imported. Its history while abroad may not appear in UK records.
- The owner planned to export it but didn't. The record should then be corrected with DVLA.
- It's a fraud warning sign. Cars are sometimes reported as exported to hide them, for example to stop finance companies or the police tracing them.
What to do if a car is marked for export
- Ask the seller why. A genuine seller should know and have paperwork, such as the documents from when the car came back.
- Check the V5C is current and in the seller's name.
- Check the finance, stolen and write-off records: an exported car may have history the UK records don't show.
- If the explanation doesn't add up, walk away.
Exported and imported markers together
A full history report shows both import and export markers. A car that's marked as both exported and imported has usually made a round trip. See our guide to imported cars and Q plates for the extra checks that apply.
Where to check
The export marker is part of the free check: enter the registration in our search box. It also appears in the DVLA check along with the tax, MOT and vehicle details.
Key points
- The export marker means DVLA was told the vehicle was leaving the UK.
- On a car for sale in the UK, find out why before you buy.
- Check finance, theft and write-off records, since history abroad may be missing.
An exported car check takes seconds: our free export marker check shows whether the DVLA has recorded the vehicle as exported or marked for export.