Many car enthusiasts are opting to look over the waters for their car purchase. Importing a car can be a good way of getting yourself a bargain car, often one that is unique or rarely seen in the UK.  We at Sureterm would like to offer our fellow enthusiasts the following hints and tips;
• There are two types of imports; parallel and grey. A parallel import is a make and model available in the UK and abroad, and a grey import is a vehicle which can’t be purchased in the UK.
• Buying and importing a car from within the EU is generally easier than from outside the EU, as it will have what’s called Type Approval, which is a certificate showing the car passes EU standards of use and safety. All new cars sold in the EU will have this certificate – so check when buying.
• Cars outside the EU will have to go through a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test, similar in theory to an MOT, but much more in depth. They cost around £250, and because they are more rigorous than the standard MOT, more faults are usually found. This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the car, but that the country of origin may simply have different standards. When calculating the cost of importing a car, allow a certain amount for any changes an SVA may bring to light.
• Getting car insurance for an imported car is important, as you’re best to get covered as soon as you purchase the vehicle. If something goes wrong while the car is in transit and you don’t have insurance, you could end up out of pocket.
• If you decide to use a shipping broker, make sure they have a good reputation for importing other cars from the region you’re buying from. Insist they keep you updated at every stage of the import process, and give you a date when your car is due to arrive. Find out what the full balance for importation is, and confirm it covers all taxes, shipping costs and paperwork, and that there are no hidden charges. Don’t pay the full balance until your car is in front of you and you have all the relevant documentation in your hands. Any reputable broker will be perfectly agreeable to this.
• It’s worth doing your research before buying your import, and finding out exactly what the car will cost you to run in the UK. Check the price of replacement parts and tyres, find out what the mpg is, and above all, if it’s a parallel import, check that you couldn’t get it cheaper here after all!
If you have any concerns about importing cars and need reassurance about imported car insurance, give our experts a call at Sureterm on 0800 999 2030.  We’ll only be too happy to help.

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