Homologating a non-EU car in United Kingdom
Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)
A car imported into the UK from outside the EU/UK almost never holds valid UK type approval, so it needs an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test carried out by the DVSA: a full inspection of construction and safety equipment against UK standards, covering lighting, emissions, seatbelts, and speedometer readings among other points. Vehicles under 10 years old without European type approval fall under this route.
The process, step by step
- 1Documentation review
The vehicle's origin, age, and existing paperwork are checked to confirm the IVA route applies and to flag likely compliance gaps.
- 2Booking the IVA test
An appointment is booked with the DVSA at one of its test centres.
- 3The IVA inspection
A DVSA inspector examines the vehicle's construction and safety equipment in person: lighting, mirrors, seatbelts, emissions, and speedometer readings are among the points checked. A private car's test typically takes three to four hours.
- 4Modifications, if flagged
Any failed points are corrected and the vehicle is re-presented.
- 5Individual Approval Certificate and registration
Once passed, the DVSA issues an Individual Approval Certificate (IAC), which is what's needed to register the vehicle with the DVLA.
Book-to-test lead times vary by centre; the inspection itself typically takes 3-4 hours for a private car once booked.
DVSA's own fee schedule runs from about £220 for cars and light goods vehicles up to 3,500kg to £300-£500 for larger vehicles like vans, 4x4s and motorhomes, before any modification costs. We quote the full picture after reviewing your specific vehicle.
Frequently asked
Almost always, yes, if it's under 10 years old and doesn't hold valid UK or EU type approval, which covers the large majority of vehicles from the US, Japan, the Gulf, or China's domestic market.
Construction and safety equipment against UK standards: lighting, mirrors, seatbelts, emissions equipment, and speedometer readings are among the points covered in a private car's three-to-four-hour inspection.
HomologateMyCar handles what happens once the car is in Europe. If you haven't sourced it yet, our sister company DriveSino exports vehicles from China to United Kingdom and has a dedicated import guide for it.
DriveSino's United Kingdom import guide