How to Import Damaged Cars

Many prospective car buyers have taken advantage of price differences in order to import damaged vehicles from overseas. Whether you are buying used cars that will be later repaired, or buying them simply to use their spare parts, the process for buying a damaged car is often the same despite the country of origin. However, although the import procedures for damaged cars is often the same as for new cars, not all repaired imported cars are eligible to be driven on U.S. roads.

Instructions

1

Check to see if the cars are on the list of eligible vehicles for importation. A list of these vehicles is found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, which is updated every year. If you intend to repair the car when it arrives in the United States, it still may not be legally driven on U.S. roads.

2

Purchase your cars through a registered importer. A list of registered importers is published on the NHTSA website. Some registered importers specialize in importing used and damaged cars, and will also carry out all the necessary bureaucratic paperwork in the country of origin, arranging shipping, paying import duties (currently 2.5 percent of the car's value), as well as arranging for a MOT and vehicular assessment when the car arrives in the United States.

3

Carry out all necessary modifications to your vehicle in order to make it road legal, if you intend to repair the vehicle for use on U.S. roads. Your registered importer may carry out any necessary modifications (such as speedometer conversion) if this is the case.