IVA, MOT and registration
Same plates, different numbers
Hong Kong cars are about as close to UK spec as an import gets. Here's the short list of what changes, which test it takes, and how it gets its UK registration.
Hong Kong and UK, side by side
Four out of six already match
| Hong Kong car | UK needs | Work needed? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side of the road | Left | Left | No |
| Steering wheel | Right | Right | No |
| Number plates | White front, yellow rear | White front, yellow rear | No |
| Headlights | No longer scrutinised for HK cars | Must suit left-hand traffic | No |
| Speedometer | Kilometres per hour | Miles per hour, clearly readable | Yes, in-house |
| Rear fog light | Varies by car | Required in the right position | Yes, in-house |
The main conversion
Kilometres to miles
Which test?
Under ten years old, the car takes an Individual Vehicle Approval test. Ten and over, it takes an MOT. Over forty, it doesn't need an MOT to be registered, as long as it hasn't been substantially changed.
We were the first privately owned IVA testing centre for passenger vehicles in the UK. It means we book the test ourselves, on our own lane, and the car never has to leave our site between conversion, test and registration. That's time and money saved for you.
Registration
Once it passes, we apply to the DVLA through our dealer-level account. It usually takes around 10 working days. We fit the plates, and you collect it or we deliver it on an open or enclosed trailer.
Questions
About testing and registration
What is an IVA test?
Individual Vehicle Approval is the test a car under ten years old takes to show it meets UK standards before the DVLA will register it. We were the first privately owned IVA testing centre for passenger vehicles in the UK, so we test on our own site.
What does a Hong Kong car usually need changing?
Normally just two things: the speedometer needs to show miles per hour, and the rear fog light may need fitting or moving. We do both in-house before the test.
How long does DVLA registration take?
With our dealer-level DVLA account, around 10 working days once the car has passed its test.
Can I keep a personalised number?
Your Hong Kong mark stays in Hong Kong. Once the car is on UK plates you can put a UK private number on it, like any other UK car.
Tell us about the car.
Make, model, year and where it is. A real person writes your quote, itemised line by line, usually the same working day.