Common Mistakes to Avoid When Exporting a Car from the UK | GVE London – Blog

Taking a car across international waters is a challenging feat. There are far more nuances to the entire ordeal than simply packaging it and shipping it out. Whether you’re selling your vehicle to an international buyer, sending it off permanently, or spending a couple of months abroad and want your ride with you, developing a game plan will help smooth out the entire process.

Here are some common mistakes folks tend to make when exporting cars from the UK and how you can avoid them because nobody wants to get stuck in a bureaucratic battle.

Top Mistakes to Avoid When Exporting a Car from the UK

Mistake No. 1: Ignoring Legal Requirements and Paperwork

Nobody likes doing paperwork, and that really isn’t surprising on any level. Paperwork is essentially the passport for your car. You wouldn’t imagine traveling abroad without your passport; the same logic applies here.

Every country varies when it comes to the documents it requires, and each has its own set of rules and tasks, so you must conduct thorough research and ensure you’ve covered all grounds. Some countries won’t allow left-hand drive vehicles, while others may have strict rules about age limits for imports.

As a general rule of thumb, you would, at the very least, need documents like the V5C registration certificate, insurance, proof of ownership, and possibly a Customs Declaration. Pairing up with a luxury car export company is a good way to delegate this work if you’d rather not deal with all the paperwork and logistics yourself.

Mistake No. 2: Not Insuring the Car Properly

You may have the best possible insurance within the UK but does it follow through internationally? Transporting a car from one nation to another is a risky business, and there is no shortage of stories where cars wound up getting damaged in transit. If your car is on the more expensive side of things, the repair bills would be proportionately large.

Speak with your shipping and insurance company and get all the basics, at least, covered, and be sure to document the car’s condition before it’s shipped, as this can be essential in claiming if something goes wrong. Make use of that smartphone in your pocket and have video and photographic evidence of everything.

Read More: Why is the UK a Leading Hub for Car Exports?

Mistake No. 3: Shipping Method

Not working with experienced exporters and opting directly for the cheapest method of transportation is a disaster waiting to happen. Your vehicle deserves better than that. Budget constraints are understandable, but working with a budget company can end up costing you more in the long run, with hidden costs, damage repairs, and the sheer mental stress of dealing with a company that takes no accountability.

• Price isn’t everything—take into account the reputation of an exporter. Read reviews and perhaps get a recommendation from experienced exporters.
• The main car exporting options from the UK are Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo), Container Shipping, and Air Freight.
• If you’re dealing with high-value cars—like those from a luxury car exporter—consider opting for the Air Freight option. Despite being the most expensive, it offers the most premium safety and handling and takes the least time.
• Container shipping is the next best option, followed by RoRo, but we’d only recommend RoRo for standard, general vehicles.

Conclusion

As with most things in life, exporting a car from the UK to anywhere in the world isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, but it isn’t tough either. Take some time, do proper research, evaluate all the associated costs, and ensure you’ve got the paperwork sorted out. Everything from choosing the right shipping method to preparing for the worst-case scenario is important. A supercar showroom and luxury car export company like GVE London can help simplify this process for you. We are your one-stop destination for everything automotive, from supercar wrapping, detailing to PPF and the export of vehicles.