hi guys, a friend has moved from lithuania and brought his fabia with him. How does he go about importing the car permanently into the uk and what modifications need doing. Im guessing headlights and speedo but is there anything else? can the speedo be done with a new sticker/card? what paperwork is required and what tests need doing, is it just an mot? the dvla website is as much use as the proverbial tits on a fish, cheers for any advice!

Pretty sure u dont need to do the speedo. I have an imported italian bike, all I needed to do was put some tape on the headlight (to prevent it shining in people eyes due to dip) and buy it some tax. I assume its the same for cars.......

I think for cars, the speedo needs to show MPH. This is certainly the case for Japanese imports, and an imported car I owned previously. The mileage counter can stay in kms, as can the trip computer.

The headlights will need replacing with those from an RHD car.

If you have the certificate of conformity and the registration document for lithuania then I think all you need do is visit the local DVLA office, pay the registration fee, and buy the roadtax. You will need an MOT as well if the car is over 3 years old.

If you dont have the certificate then you may need to have an SVA check carried out before registration.

I would hope that the "mot" site would supply all you need, I've imported two new cars over the past eight years and the documentation that I got at that time covered new or old and form EEC or outwith EEC. Lets face it there are lots of Eastern Europeans coming over and taking their cars which eventually need re-reg'ng road tax and MOT. I've forgotten what was needed, but if I were you I'd go along to your nearest car reg office and ask advise across the counter. Ie how long can the car run without UK reg + tax and when it needs an MOT (before 3 years I would think).

wouldn't it be far simpler selling the car there and buying an equivalent British spec model?

wouldn't it be far simpler selling the car there and buying an equivalent British spec model?

Helpfull...