Importing a Car from Germany to the UK
Germany is the UK's largest source of car imports — and for good reason. Whether it's a BMW M3, a Mercedes-AMG, an Audi RS model, a Porsche 911, or a Volkswagen GTI, German cars are often thousands of pounds cheaper on the continent than in the UK. Since Brexit, importing requires customs declarations, NOVA notifications, and vehicle approval before DVLA will register your car.
This guide covers every step from buying in Germany to driving on UK roads, with verified figures from official government sources.
Why Import from Germany?
German imports are attractive for several reasons:
- Significant price savings — German-market cars are often 15-30% cheaper than identical models in the UK, especially nearly-new and ex-lease vehicles
- Zero customs duty — German-manufactured cars qualify for 0% duty under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)
- Wider specification — access to factory options, engine variants, and trim levels not offered in the UK market
- Build quality and service history — German-market cars typically come with full manufacturer service records and extensive options
- Huge used market — Germany has the largest used car market in Europe, with platforms like mobile.de and AutoScout24 listing millions of vehicles
- Classic and performance cars — excellent sourcing for Porsche, BMW M, Mercedes-AMG, and Volkswagen GTI/R models at continental prices
Step 1: Buying in Germany — Documents to Collect
Essential German Documents
Fahrzeugbrief (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II)
The German vehicle ownership document (Part II of the registration certificate). This is the most important document — it proves ownership and contains the vehicle's full history. The seller must hand you the original. You need this for DVLA registration.
Fahrzeugschein (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I)
The German registration certificate (Part I) — the equivalent of a UK V5C. This travels with the vehicle and contains key technical data including VIN, engine details, and emissions class. The seller should deregister the vehicle ("abmelden") before you take it.
TUV Report (HU/AU Prufbericht)
The German MOT equivalent (Hauptuntersuchung). While not valid in the UK, a recent TUV pass gives confidence about the car's mechanical condition. Check the expiry date — in Germany, TUV is required every 2 years.
Bill of Sale / Kaufvertrag
A written purchase contract showing the price, date, buyer and seller details, and vehicle description including VIN. HMRC will use this to calculate VAT. For private sales, use a standard German Kaufvertrag form — both parties should sign.
Certificate of Conformity (CoC / EWG-Ubereinstimmungsbescheinigung)
A European Certificate of Conformity from the manufacturer confirming EU type approval. Essential for DVLA registration of cars under 10 years old. German manufacturers (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, Porsche) can issue replacements — typically €100-250. Services like ECOC and Euro CoC can also source these.
Important: Make sure the VIN on the Fahrzeugbrief matches the VIN plate on the car and the Fahrzeugschein. Any mismatch will cause serious problems with UK registration.
Where to Find Cars in Germany
- mobile.de — Germany's largest vehicle marketplace with over 1.4 million listings
- AutoScout24.de — Europe's largest online car market, strong German inventory
- Dealer websites — BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, and VW all have German used car portals (Gebrauchtwagen)
- eBay Kleinanzeigen (now Kleinanzeigen.de) — popular for private sales
- Specialist exporters — some German dealers specialise in export sales and can handle deregistration and paperwork
Tip: Many German dealers speak English and are experienced with UK buyers. Mention you're exporting — they may reduce the price since German VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) doesn't apply to exports.
Deregistration (Abmeldung)
The seller should deregister the car at their local Zulassungsstelle (registration office) before handover. Once deregistered:
- The car receives export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) valid for a set period, or
- You arrange transport on a trailer/transporter without plates
Export plates are strongly recommended if you're driving the car home — they include temporary insurance and are valid for the journey.
Step 2: Getting the Car to the UK
Transport Options & Costs
Drive via Eurotunnel
Ferry (Short Crossing)
Ferry (Direct from Netherlands)
Driving It Yourself
If you drive the car across, you'll need:
- German export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) — these include temporary insurance for the journey and are valid for a set period (usually 2-4 weeks). Arranged at the Zulassungsstelle.
- A valid driving licence — your UK licence is accepted in Germany and all transit countries
- The German registration documents (Fahrzeugbrief and Fahrzeugschein) — carry the originals
- Headlight beam deflectors — LHD headlights dip the wrong way for UK roads. Apply temporary beam deflectors for the drive in the UK
Route Options
- Southern route: Germany → Belgium → France → Calais → Eurotunnel/ferry to UK (4-7 hours driving to Calais depending on starting point)
- Northern route: Germany → Netherlands → Hook of Holland → Stena Line ferry to Harwich (2-4 hours driving, shorter drive but longer crossing)
- Longest drive, shortest crossing: Driving via Calais gives the most ferry/tunnel options and cheapest crossings
At the Border (Post-Brexit)
Since 1 January 2021, bringing a car from Germany to the UK is an import from outside the UK's customs territory. When you arrive at the UK border:
- You do not need to make a customs import declaration at the border if you're driving the car yourself
- You must notify HMRC within 14 days using the NOVA service (Step 3 below)
- HMRC will tell you if you need to make a formal import declaration and pay duty/VAT
Step 3: NOVA — Notify HMRC Within 14 Days
NOVA: 14-Day Deadline
You must tell HMRC about your imported vehicle within 14 days of it arriving in the UK using the Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA) service. You cannot register or tax the vehicle with DVLA until this is done.
What You'll Need
- Invoice or Kaufvertrag (bill of sale)
- Current market valuation (if bought over 6 months ago)
- VIN / chassis number from an official document
- C88/E2 customs documents or MRN (if applicable)
How to Apply
- Go to gov.uk/nova-log-in
- Create a Government Gateway account if needed
- Complete the NOVA declaration online
- Receive NOVA reference number
HMRC will assess your NOVA declaration and tell you how much VAT (and any customs duty) you owe. Once you've paid, you'll receive confirmation that you're eligible to register and tax the vehicle with DVLA.
Step 4: Customs Duty & VAT
Tax Calculation
EU-Origin Vehicle (Most German Cars)
Non-EU-Origin Vehicle
How VAT Is Calculated
VAT is charged at 20% on the customs value:
Customs value = Purchase price + Transport costs + Insurance + Any duty payable
For a car bought for €20,000 with €400 transport and 0% duty:
VAT = (€20,000 + €400) × 20% = €4,080 (paid in £ at HMRC exchange rate)
Rules of Origin: When Does 0% Duty Apply?
Under the TCA, a car qualifies for zero duty if it "originates" in the EU. This means:
- German-manufactured cars (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Opel) — 0% duty
- EU-manufactured cars registered in Germany (e.g. a SEAT made in Spain, a Skoda made in Czech Republic) — 0% duty
- Non-EU-manufactured cars registered in Germany (e.g. a Tesla Model 3 built in the US, a Hyundai built in South Korea) — 10% duty may apply if TCA rules of origin aren't met
The exporter (seller or dealer) can provide a statement of origin on the invoice to confirm EU origin. For private sales, the original Certificate of Conformity (CoC) typically shows the country of manufacture.
Note: Some German-brand cars are manufactured outside the EU. For example, certain BMW X models are built in the US (Spartanburg plant) and some Mercedes SUVs are built in the US (Tuscaloosa plant). Check the VIN — the first character indicates the country of manufacture (W = Germany, other letters may indicate non-EU production).
Classic Vehicles (Over 30 Years Old)
Cars manufactured over 30 years ago may qualify for a reduced VAT rate of 5% instead of 20%, provided the vehicle is in original condition and meets HMRC's definition of a collector's item. No customs duty applies.
German VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) Refund
When buying from a German dealer for export, you should not pay German VAT (19%). Dealers will zero-rate the sale if you can prove the car is being exported outside the EU. You then pay UK VAT (20%) via NOVA. Make sure the invoice clearly states the net (Netto) price without MwSt.
For private sales, no VAT applies in Germany (private sales are VAT-exempt), so you only pay UK VAT at 20% on import.
Step 5: Vehicle Approval
Do You Need Vehicle Approval?
Vehicles first registered or manufactured more than 10 years ago are exempt from vehicle approval. You can go straight to DVLA registration.
Get a European Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the manufacturer. This proves the car meets EU type-approval standards, which the UK still accepts. Some German cars may already have one — check with the seller or order from the manufacturer.
If the car is left-hand drive, you need both the CoC and a GB Conversion IVA certificate. This is a paperwork-only process (no physical inspection) costing £100 through the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). You submit evidence that headlights, speedometer, and rear fog light meet UK requirements.
Almost All German Cars Are Left-Hand Drive
This is the key consideration. Nearly every car bought in Germany will be left-hand drive (LHD). This means:
- Cars under 10 years old need the GB Conversion IVA (£100, paperwork only) in addition to a CoC
- LHD is perfectly legal to drive in the UK — there's no requirement to convert to right-hand drive
- You'll need to adjust or replace headlights so the beam pattern doesn't dazzle oncoming traffic
Exception: Some German dealers (particularly BMW and Mercedes) stock a small number of RHD vehicles intended for the UK market. If you find a RHD German-market car, you only need the CoC — no GB Conversion IVA required.
Step 6: Vehicle Modifications for UK Roads
Required & Recommended Modifications
German (LHD) headlights dip to the right, which dazzles oncoming UK traffic. You must either fit RHD-pattern headlight units or have the beam pattern permanently adjusted. Temporary deflector stickers are acceptable for the journey home but not as a permanent solution. Many modern German cars (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) with adaptive LED headlights can be recoded via diagnostic software — ask a specialist. Budget £100-500 depending on the car.
German cars display speed in km/h. For cars under 10 years old at point of import, the speedometer must display mph. Most modern German cars can be switched to mph via the dashboard settings or iDrive/MMI/COMAND system — this is usually a simple menu change. Otherwise, you'll need a conversion sticker or replacement dial. Budget £0-200. Cars over 10 years old don't legally require this but it's strongly recommended.
UK regulations require at least one rear fog light on the offside (right side) of the vehicle. German cars may have the fog light on the nearside (left) only. Check your car and add a right-side fog light if needed for MOT. Many German cars have fog lights on both sides, in which case no change is needed.
You do not need to convert a left-hand drive car to right-hand drive. LHD vehicles are fully legal on UK roads. Thousands of LHD German cars are registered and driven in the UK every day.
Step 7: MOT Test
If the car is over 3 years old, it needs a valid UK MOT before you can register and tax it with DVLA.
- A German TUV (Hauptuntersuchung) is not accepted as a substitute for a UK MOT
- You can drive the car directly to a pre-booked MOT test without tax or registration — this is one of the legal exceptions
- MOT cost: £54.85 (maximum fee set by DVSA)
- Common MOT failure points for German imports: headlight beam pattern, speedometer units, rear fog light position, emissions
Step 8: DVLA Registration (V55/5 Form)
V55/5 Registration Checklist
Once you have your NOVA confirmation, vehicle approval (if needed), and MOT (if needed), you can register the car with DVLA using the V55/5 form (Application for First Vehicle Tax and Registration of a Used Motor Vehicle).
Documents to Send to DVLA
- Completed V55/5 form
- NOVA confirmation from HMRC
- Original Fahrzeugbrief (German ownership document)
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
- GB Conversion IVA certificate (if LHD, under 10 years)
- Valid MOT certificate (if over 3 years old)
Also Required
- Proof of identity (passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
- £55 registration fee (cheque/postal order to DVLA)
- First year's Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
- Insurance certificate or cover note
Key V55/5 Tips for German Imports
- Box 3 (Date of first registration): Use the date from the Fahrzeugbrief ("Datum der Erstzulassung" / field B), not the date you're registering in the UK
- Box 6 (Body type): Use the DVLA body type codes — e.g. SALOON, HATCHBACK, ESTATE, COUPE, CONVERTIBLE
- Box 7 (Wheel plan): Typically "2 AXLE RIGID" for standard cars
- Box 19 (VIN): Copy the 17-character VIN exactly from the Fahrzeugbrief (field E). German VINs starting with "W" indicate German manufacture (e.g. WBA = BMW, WDB/WDD = Mercedes, WAU/WUA = Audi, WVW = Volkswagen, WP0 = Porsche)
- Box 48 (Engine power): German documents show power in kW. To convert: multiply kW × 1.341 to get bhp. For example, 185 kW = 248 bhp
Step 9: Insurance & Vehicle Tax
You must insure the vehicle before driving it on UK roads (except for the direct journey to a pre-booked MOT or IVA test).
- Get a UK insurance quote using the German VIN — most UK insurers can cover imported vehicles
- Specialist importers' insurance may offer better rates for LHD cars (Adrian Flux, Keith Michaels, Reis Motorsport are well-known for import cover)
- Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is paid as part of the V55/5 registration. Rates from April 2026 depend on CO2 emissions — the standard annual rate is £200 for most cars registered after April 2017
Full Cost Breakdown
Example: €20,000 German Car (EU Origin, LHD, Under 10 Years Old)
Based on exchange rate of approximately €1 = £0.85. Actual costs depend on current rates, vehicle specifics, and transport choices. VED (road tax) and insurance are additional ongoing costs.
Is It Worth It? Price Comparison
German-market cars are often significantly cheaper than their UK equivalents. Here are typical savings that make importing worthwhile:
- BMW 3 Series (2-3 years old): often €3,000-5,000 cheaper in Germany than the UK equivalent
- Mercedes C-Class: German used prices are typically 15-25% lower than UK prices for equivalent specification
- Audi A4/A5: strong savings on higher-spec models with factory options
- Porsche 911/Cayman/Boxster: German prices are notably lower, especially for well-optioned cars
- Volkswagen Golf GTI/R: significant savings on performance variants
Even after adding ~22-30% in import costs (VAT, transport, fees), many German-market cars remain cheaper than buying the same car in the UK — particularly for premium and performance models.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch Out For These
The clock starts when the car arrives in the UK, not when you get around to it. Late penalties are £5/day and DVLA won't register without NOVA confirmation.
When buying from a dealer for export, you should not pay German VAT (19%). Make sure the dealer issues an export invoice showing the net price. You'll pay UK VAT (20%) via NOVA instead. Paying both would be a costly mistake.
Without a CoC, you can't prove EU type approval. Ordering one after the fact from BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, or Porsche can take weeks and cost more. Always get this before or at the point of purchase.
A valid TUV (Hauptuntersuchung) does not exempt you from a UK MOT. The tests check different standards. You must get a separate UK MOT for any car over 3 years old.
LHD headlights dip the wrong way and will blind oncoming UK traffic. This will also fail the MOT. Sort this out before the MOT test. Many German cars with LED/adaptive headlights can be recoded — check with a marque specialist.
A German-brand car isn't always German-made. Some BMW X models (Spartanburg, USA), some Mercedes SUVs (Tuscaloosa, USA), and some VW models (Puebla, Mexico) are built outside the EU. Non-EU-manufactured cars attract 10% customs duty. Check the VIN — "W" as the first character means Germany.
You can only drive an unregistered imported car on UK roads to a pre-booked MOT or IVA test. Using it for any other purpose before registration is illegal and could result in the car being seized.
Step-by-Step Timeline
Typical Timeline: Germany to UK Road Legal
Collect Fahrzeugbrief, Fahrzeugschein, Kaufvertrag, TUV report, and CoC. Seller deregisters the vehicle.
Arrange Ausfuhrkennzeichen, drive via Eurotunnel/ferry or arrange professional transport
Must be within 14 days. Pay any VAT/duty owed. Get NOVA reference.
Convert or recode headlights, check fog light, set speedometer to mph
Book and pass a UK MOT (if car is over 3 years old)
Book and pass IVA inspection for LHD vehicles under 10 years old
Send completed form with all documents, fees, and VED payment
DVLA issues registration number, V5C logbook arrives by post. Get number plates made up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep driving on German plates while I sort the paperwork? No. You can only use an unregistered imported vehicle on UK roads to drive to a pre-booked MOT or vehicle approval test. For all other use, the car must be registered, taxed, insured, and displaying UK number plates. German export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) are not valid for general driving in the UK.
Is it worth importing from Germany? For EU-manufactured cars, often yes — you avoid the 10% customs duty that applies to non-EU imports, and German prices are typically 15-30% lower than UK equivalents. If the price difference exceeds the ~22-30% import costs (mainly VAT), you'll save money. Premium and performance models offer the best savings.
Do I need to cancel the German registration? The seller should deregister (abmelden) the vehicle before handover. If they haven't, you'll need the Fahrzeugbrief to do it at any Zulassungsstelle. Once deregistered in Germany and registered with DVLA, the German registration is permanently cancelled.
What about electric vehicles from Germany? EVs follow the same import process. Under the TCA, EU-manufactured EVs qualify for 0% duty until at least 2027 (the rules of origin extension requires 40% UK/EU content for EVs until then). EVs pay £10 first-year VED (since April 2025). Many German EVs (BMW iX, Mercedes EQS, VW ID series, Porsche Taycan) are EU-manufactured and qualify.
Can I buy from a German dealer and have them handle the export? Some large German dealers and specialist exporters offer export services including deregistration, export plates, CoC sourcing, and even transport to the UK. This adds to the cost but can simplify the process significantly. Always get an itemised quote.
Is a German service history valid in the UK? Yes. German manufacturer service records (Scheckheft) are recognised by UK dealers and garages. Digital service records from BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, and Porsche are accessible internationally. A full German service history is a positive when it comes to UK insurance and resale.
Need Help With Your V55/5 Form?
Our guided V55/5 tool walks you through every box — with built-in VIN decoding, DVLA code lookups, and validation to prevent rejections. Designed specifically for imported vehicles including German imports.
This guide covers the standard process for importing a passenger vehicle from Germany to Great Britain as of February 2026. Regulations can change — always verify current requirements with DVLA, DVSA, and HMRC. Northern Ireland has different rules due to the Windsor Framework. Consider professional advice for complex imports or high-value vehicles.