How to Prepare Your Car for Export From the UK? | GVE London – Blog

Exporting cars from the UK sounds fancy—and it is. Surprisingly, though, it isn’t as complicated as it may initially appear to be. With a bit of planning and a few checks here and there, you’ll have your car ready for its international debut in no time. In this simple guide, we’ll explain the process so it’s smooth and stress-free.

Steps to follow When Exporting Cars from the UK

1. Understand the Rules and Regulations

Often the most complicated part of the entire procedure is really taking into account all the different rules and regulations out there. After all, every country has its own import/export laws and rules. Some countries want your car to be squeaky clean while others care mostly about the paperwork.

Also, check if your destination country has any emissions norms, age limits, or safety requirements specifically imposed upon imported vehicles.

2. Sort Out the Paperwork

Ah, yes, the fun part—paperwork! You must do what you have to do. So, make sure you have:

• Vehicle Logbook (V5C): This proves you own the car.
• Export Certificate: You’ll need to apply for a V561 from the DVLA.
• Bill of Sale or Proof of Ownership: For extra brownie points at customs.
• Insurance for Transit: Nobody wants their car playing bumper cars on a container ship.

3. Get an Export Check-Up

Before exporting cars from the UK, you might want to give them a health checkup. A visit to your trusted mechanic will do wonders for the car’s overall condition. Have them inspect the following:

• Brakes and tyres
• Engine and oil levels
• Battery health
• Emissions

A supercar showroom, like GVE London, knows exactly what to do to prepare your car for its journey, so rest assured. 

4. Clean Your Car Inside and Out

Some countries are very strict with imposing regulations and restrictions on imports that they would define as “dirty.” Dirt, seeds, and pests hitching a ride on vehicles can introduce invasive species and diseases, potentially damaging local ecosystems and crops.

These regulations must be respected, as they are in place to protect the natural ecosystem of a country. So, have your car cleaned thoroughly, inside and out. Luxury car exports are usually done for cars in immaculate condition. After all, nobody wants their supercar to arrive dirty.

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

5. Choose the Right Shipping Method

You’ve got three main options:

1. Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo): Your car drives onto the ship, stays cosy, and drives off at the destination. Simple and budget-friendly.
2. Container Shipping: Ideal for luxury car exports or rare models. Your car gets a private container, perfect for extra protection.
3. Air Freight: If you’re in a rush or a supercar, this is the fastest option. (But it costs a pretty penny.)

6. Secure Your Car for Shipping

Once you’ve chosen your shipping method, make sure your car is prepped:

• Remove personal belongings (customs won’t let them through).
• Disable the alarm (you don’t want it going off mid-Atlantic).
• Reduce the fuel level to a quarter tank—it’s safer this way.

7. Notify the DVLA

Tell the DVLA that your car is leaving the UK. This is as easy as filling out the “permanent export” section of your V5C and sending it back. If you skip this step, you might still get letters about road tax—or worse, speeding tickets your car racked up abroad!

Conclusion

Once your car is aboard, you can track its progress and wait until it arrives at its destination. However, the steps above are all that need to be done from your end. The process of exporting/importing cars from the UK to pretty much any other country isn’t as complicated as it seems. If you want some assistance with it though, feel free to reach out to us here at GVE London. Our supercar showroom is home to experts who can help you throughout the entire process and perform servicing, detailing, PPF, and more, so you can get your car in top-notch condition before it’s time to bid farewell.