Car Import and Export Check

Buying a car that’s been imported can make it difficult to discover the vehicle’s past, such as it being flagged as exported – meaning that it’s not meant to be in the UK. If you’re wondering how to check if a car is imported, hpi check® can help. Our car import and export check will confirm a car’s status before you buy.

Run a car import check using data from DVLA, police and insurance company records

Access to over 80 other data points supplied by the only official hpi check®

Thorough, accurate information backed by our £30,000 guarantee

Support available seven days a week if things don’t add up

What's included in a car import and export check?

Running a car import and export check with hpi check® gives you the information you need to help you steer clear of fraud when buying a car, van or motorbike. With our full report, you get:

Extra vehicle checks: If you choose a full hpi check®, you’ll also get details on the number of previous owners, write-off information, stolen logbook details and more.

✔ The status of the vehicle: Instantly verify whether the car is imported or flagged as exported.

✔ Whether this matches up with the logbook: The Special Notes section of the logbook (V5C) should include any notes about the car’s import or export status. Our car import check will confirm this detail for you.

✔ If the car has been stolen: Missing information about the car’s import status doesn’t always mean something bad but it could be an indicator that you’re dealing with a stolen or cloned vehicle.

✔ Choice of individual and combined checks: A car import and export check is available for one vehicle or as an hpi check on two more cars as part of a multi-check order.

hpi check® - The car check trusted by millions

“Saw the car I wanted, checked the car through your website, and how relieved I was that I did check its history. It was an insurance write-off, and the mileage was incorrect. Saved me from a very bad situation, and having a conman making my life a misery. Money well spent. Thanks”

“We used HPI check because we trusted their information on a used car that we wanted to purchase. In the world of used cars this proved to be invaluable advice, we would recommend anyone thinking of buying a quality used car to use this service.”

“Using HPI Check is, for me, an essential part of buying a car. Unlike some other aspects of buying a car, this one is straightforward, quick, and given the potential should things not be in order, it is excellent value for money. It also means that I trust the many other offers that come through HPI Check. Excellent!”

“Informative and accurate. Good service.”

How much does it cost to get a car import or export check?

The car import and export check is included as part of our full hpi check® service. This check costs £19.99 and includes a detailed report that covers the import status of the vehicle, along with over 80 other key data points about the vehicle’s past.

If you’ve found more than one car that you’re thinking of buying, our MultiCheck package lets you check three vehicles for £29.97 – ideal if you can’t decide. We also offer a basic vehicle check for £9.99 and the car import check is included as standard.

Why run car import and export checks?

There are several reasons why a car import and export check is important:

✔ Check it meets safety standards: An imported car may not meet UK safety regulations or may have undergone modifications that haven’t been properly recorded.

✔ Discover the car’s history: It can be difficult to trace the car’s history back further than when it was first registered in the UK.

✔ Ensures legality: Car import checks verify the vehicle has been legally imported. An exported car can’t be driven in the UK and, if it is flagged as being exported, it raises questions about the car and its identity, if it is supposed to have been shipped abroad. It’s also not possible to insure a vehicle marked as exported.

✔ Avoid financial loss: If there are issues with the car that predate it being registered in the UK, import checks can uncover the car’s history and save buyers from having to pay out for expensive repairs or extensive maintenance.

✔ Avoiding fraud: Getting the import details reveals discrepancies that could signify fraud or prevent buyers from choosing a stolen car.

With hpi check®, you can run a car import and export check to help you stay safe and make an informed buying decision.

There are several considerations at play when buying a used car. Exported cars always raise questions because they shouldn't be in the country – and you won't be able to get any insurance for them. On the other hand, if the one you like is marked as imported, everything could be fine but it could also mean it's difficult to discover the car's history before it arrived in the UK. Getting an hpi check® will help you find out more about the vehicle and give you the confidence to walk away if things don't look right.

Signs that a car for sale might have been imported

If you’re considering buying a car, these warning signs indicate that the car has been imported or exported:

✔ Speedometer units are in kilometres rather than miles

✔ Foreign registration plates or VIN discrepancies

✔ Incomplete DVLA history

✔ Unusual insurance or tax issues

✔ Seller refuses to provide documentation

If you notice any of these signs, run a car import check before you go ahead and buy.

Why choose hpi® car import and export check?

When verifying a vehicle’s status, hpi check® offers industry-leading protection.

✔ Direct access to data: We’re the only provider of accurate and authentic hpi check® and our car import and export check cross-references DVLA records, police databases and insurance company information.

✔ £30,000 data guarantee: Our guarantee is designed to protect you from financial loss.

✔ Full vehicle verification: There are over 80 data points that we cover for millions of cars on UK roads, so our reports are comprehensive and designed to make your car-buying decision easy. Checking the import and export status is just one thing we investigate. Take a look at a sample report to get an idea of how we set it out for you.

✔ Trusted by UK drivers: We’ve been helping millions of drivers avoid fraud, legal issues and vehicle scams for over 80 years.

✔ Support available through the week: Get in touch for expert assistance – we’re here for you seven days a week.

Check the car import and export status today with hpi check®

Don’t risk choosing a car that might not be safe and legal to drive. With just a few clicks, you can run a car import and export check. You can also find more information on how to avoid fraud in our knowledge hub.

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