Bringing a car over from the UK? Have it checked first

A right-hand-drive car brought in from the UK.
The job
A mechanical check for a car brought in from the UK.
Where
Wherever the car is parked, Dublin
Price
Agreed before we start

A car brought across from the UK can be a good buy. It can also come with a past you cannot see in photographs or in a short viewing. A mechanical check before you commit gives you a clear list.

What we look at

  • Underneath: rust, leaks and worn parts we can see
  • Signs that a panel has been repaired or repainted
  • Tyres and brakes
  • Fluids, belts and the engine bay
  • Electrics and any warning lights
  • Whether the car starts, idles and drives as it should
Estate car on an air jack with the wheels off, being repaired on site by a mobile mechanic
Wheels off: brakes and suspension seen properly
What is underneath matters on an import

What we do not do

We check the car itself. Registration, tax and paperwork are separate, and they are for you and the seller. We can tell you what to ask for, and we suggest you keep every document with our notes.

What you get

A list, item by item: fine, watch it, or walk away. Anything that needs work comes with an idea of what the work involves. It is an opinion based on what we can see and test on the day, not a guarantee.

Common questions

Does it matter that the car is an import?

It can, because the car has a history we cannot see. That is why we look carefully.

Do you check the registration?

No. We check the car. Registration and tax are separate.

Can you do it before I pay a deposit?

Yes. That is the best time.