Importing a car into the UK requires notifying HMRC (via the NOVA — Notification of Vehicle Arrivals — system) within 14 days, paying any VAT and duty owed, getting an MOT if the car is over 3 years old, and registering it with the DVLA. Non-EU imports not already type-approved for UK roads may also need Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA), which adds cost and time to the process.
At a glance
| Step | What's required |
|---|---|
| Notify HMRC | NOVA notification within 14 days of the vehicle arriving in the UK |
| Pay VAT/duty | Owed on many imports, particularly from outside the UK's trade agreements |
| MOT | Required if the vehicle is over 3 years old before it can be used on the road |
| IVA (if applicable) | Individual Vehicle Approval needed for non-type-approved imports |
| DVLA registration | Register the vehicle and get a UK registration number/plate |
The four things every import needs to deal with
Whatever the source country, importing a car into the UK generally involves four separate strands: notifying HMRC that the vehicle has arrived, settling any VAT or duty owed, confirming the car meets UK safety/type-approval standards (or getting individual approval if it doesn't), and registering it with DVLA to get UK number plates. Missing any one of these can leave you unable to legally drive or insure the car.
Notifying HMRC: the NOVA system
Most imported vehicles must be notified to HMRC through the NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals) online system within 14 days of the vehicle entering the UK — this is separate from DVLA registration and is how HMRC assesses whether VAT is due. Failing to notify on time can result in penalties, and DVLA will generally check NOVA status before registering an imported vehicle.
VAT, duty and type approval
- VAT is generally due on vehicles imported from outside the UK unless a specific relief applies (for example, returning goods relief for a car you owned and used abroad before moving to the UK).
- Import duty may also apply depending on the vehicle's origin and any relevant trade agreements in place at the time.
- Vehicles already covered by EU/UK type approval (broadly, cars sold new in the EU or UK) usually don't need further approval; vehicles from outside this framework — including US imports and grey imports — typically need Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) or Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) confirming they meet UK safety and environmental standards.
MOT and registering with DVLA
- If the car is over 3 years old, arrange an MOT before it can be driven on public roads (other than to and from the test itself, under specific conditions).
- Complete DVLA's registration process for imported vehicles (form V55/5 for used imports), providing proof of NOVA notification, type approval/IVA certificate where applicable, and evidence of the vehicle's identity and origin.
- Once registered, DVLA issues a UK registration number, and you'll need number plates made to UK legal specifications before driving.
- Arrange UK insurance and pay any VED (road tax) due before using the car on the road.
Budget significant extra time and money for IVA testing on non-type-approved imports (common with US-spec vehicles) — some cars need physical modifications (lighting, speedometer units, etc.) to pass, adding real cost beyond the purchase price.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to notify HMRC after importing a car to the UK?
Do I have to pay VAT on an imported car in the UK?
What is Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) and when do I need it?
Can I drive an imported car before it's registered with DVLA?
Do I need an MOT for a newly imported car?
Sources & further reading
- GOV.UK – importing vehicles into the UK
- GOV.UK – NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals)
- GOV.UK – vehicle approval (IVA)
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
