Imported Car Check.
See import markers, write-off history, mileage records and the key buying risks for any UK-registered import in one £15 report.
Included in your report:
- Import / export markers
- Write-off records
- Outstanding finance
- Stolen status
- Mileage issues
- MOT history
Example import section
See the import history before you buy.
This is how import and export markers appear in your report: whether the car was brought into the UK, when it was first registered here, and what is on record.
Import / export markers
Origin and UK registration records
Example data shown. Your report will show the recorded import history for the reg you check.
What an import check helps you spot.
An import marker is not a problem in itself, but it changes what you can verify. Knowing the origin and when UK records begin tells you how much of the car's past you can actually see.
Import marker and origin
See whether the car was imported and where it was brought in from.
First UK registration date
Know when the vehicle was first registered here, not just when it was built.
Missing overseas history
Spot the gap before UK records begin, where accidents or repairs may sit unseen.
Imported vehicles
Why imported vehicles need extra scrutiny.
An imported vehicle may have spent years on foreign roads before being registered in the UK. Much of its history, including accidents, repairs and previous ownership, may not appear in UK databases at all, run as part of a full car history check.
Incomplete UK history
Imports may have little or no MOT history, ownership records or mileage data if they were recently registered in the UK. The shorter the UK history, the less there is to verify.
Specification differences
Headlamps, emissions systems, speedometer units and safety features may not meet UK standards. This can cause MOT failures, higher insurance premiums and unexpected costs to bring the car into compliance.
Hidden prior damage
Damage sustained in the country of origin may not appear in UK records. A car could have been in a serious accident abroad and still arrive in the UK with a clean-looking history.
Mileage in different units
Kilometres and miles confusion can mask the true usage of a vehicle. A car showing 60,000 on the odometer may have covered 60,000 km rather than 60,000 miles, a significant difference in actual wear.
What a history check reveals for imports.
A Carpeep report shows you what UK data is available: import and export markers, any UK-side MOT history and mileage records, finance status, write-off history, stolen status, keeper information and core vehicle details. Pre-import history from the country of origin is generally not available through UK data sources, but everything recorded since the vehicle entered the UK can reveal important warning signs.
Run an import check
Check an imported vehicle in seconds.
Enter the registration to see import markers and the full vehicle history before you commit.
- Instant results
- All checks included
- £30,000 data guarantee
Risks specific to imported cars in the UK.
Some imports are re-registered in the UK in a way that can make them appear domestic. Without checking, you might not realise the car was ever imported. These are the risks worth understanding before you buy.
Import and export markers
The report flags whether the vehicle has been recorded as imported or marked for export, so you can confirm its origin.
Mileage and odometer units
Japanese imports may have had odometers converted from kilometres to miles. Compare the MOT mileage timeline to spot anything inconsistent.
Finance and write-off history
All standard checks still apply to a UK-registered import. The report covers outstanding finance and recorded write-off markers alongside the import data.
Stolen and identity checks
The VIN and registration are cross-referenced against police records to flag stolen markers, plate changes or identity mismatches.
What to watch for
An import marker is only the start.
Check the report for import and export markers to confirm the vehicle's origin, verify that the specifications match UK requirements, and be cautious of vehicles with very recent UK registration and minimal history. Compare mileage figures carefully, especially if the car came from a country using kilometres.
Running a mileage verification check helps you see what data exists and whether anything looks inconsistent. For a broader look at what to check before buying any used vehicle, see our thorough pre-purchase check.
When an import check matters most.
Japanese performance imports are among the most popular grey imports in the UK. Cars like the Nissan Skyline, Toyota Supra and Mazda RX-7 often arrive with mileage recorded in kilometres and limited UK history. European grey imports are also common, and older Land Rover Defenders are among the most commonly imported vehicles from overseas, often arriving with incomplete UK service histories. In all cases, the check gives you a clearer starting point so you can ask the right questions of the seller.
Where our data comes from.
Always from official records. We do not create, edit or estimate any data.
DVLA
Registration, keeper history, import/export status and vehicle specifications.
DVSA
Full MOT test history including results, advisories and mileage at each test.
Insurance industry records
Recorded write-off markers such as Cat A, B, S and N from insurance industry records.
UK finance lenders
Outstanding finance agreements including HP, PCP and conditional sale records.
Police stolen vehicle records
Stolen vehicle markers from UK police databases, checked against the registration and VIN.
Vehicle identity checks
VIN and registration cross-referenced to flag plate changes, cloning or identity mismatches.
Frequently asked questions
Can Carpeep check imported vehicles?
Will the report show if a car was imported?
Does an import check cover finance and write-offs?
What if the car has limited UK history?
Should I check a Japanese import differently?
Check a car before you buy
Don't buy a car you haven't checked.
Enter the reg to check import markers and the key risk markers before you commit.
- Full vehicle history
- No account required
- £30,000 data guarantee