Import a Car from the UK to Australia
Prestige Car Imports is a Melbourne-based import broker. We help Australian clients source vehicles from UK private sellers, dealers and specialist dealers, arrange independent inspections before purchase where appropriate, and help manage the import through shipping, customs and compliance so the vehicle can go on the road in Australia.
Melbourne, Australia · Speak directly with Dyson · Independent inspections can be arranged in the UK before purchase
Why Import From the UK?
Huge vehicle market
The UK has a large used-car market, from affordable enthusiast cars through to rare performance, luxury and classic vehicles.
Right-hand drive
Many UK vehicles are already right-hand drive, which makes the UK a natural source for Australian buyers.
Rare & specialist vehicles
Access vehicles, specifications, manuals, classics and specialist models that can be difficult or expensive to find in Australia.
Why Import With Prestige Car Imports?
Australian based
Prestige Car Imports is based in Melbourne, Australia.
Independent UK inspections
Where appropriate, we arrange an independent inspection in the UK before you commit to purchase, and send you the condition information.
Direct contact
Speak directly with Dyson about the vehicle, the listing, the budget and whether importing from the UK is the right move.
Help negotiating with sellers
We can communicate with private sellers and dealers on your behalf and help coordinate the purchase once you have approved the vehicle.
Full process assistance
We help coordinate sourcing and purchase through shipping, import paperwork, customs, biosecurity/quarantine, compliance and getting the vehicle on the road.
How Importing From the UK Works
Send the vehicle you are considering, or tell us what you are looking for. We inspect where appropriate, help with the purchase, then help with shipping, customs, quarantine, compliance and getting the vehicle on the road in your state.
1
Talk to us
Enquire, call, email or WhatsApp. Send the listing if you have one, or tell us the make/model, budget, requirements and eligibility questions.
2
Engage Prestige Car Imports
When you are ready to proceed with sourcing or inspection work, the $1,190 AUD engagement/deposit fee becomes payable.
3
Find the vehicle
We can help source from UK private sellers, dealers and specialist dealers. If you have already found a vehicle, send us the listing and we will take it from there.
4
Inspection
Where appropriate, we arrange an independent inspection before purchase and send you the condition information so you can decide whether to proceed.
5
Negotiate & approve
We help communicate and negotiate with the seller where required. You approve the vehicle and the purchase before we proceed.
6
Purchase
We assist with the vehicle purchase and payment process. At this stage, the balance of the Prestige Car Imports fee is also payable if the total fee was not paid upfront. Prestige Car Imports is the import broker, not the vehicle dealer or seller.
7
Shipping & import
We help arrange UK transport where required, export and shipping, import paperwork, customs, biosecurity/quarantine and other applicable requirements.
8
Compliance & on the road
We help arrange Australian compliance and the process of getting the vehicle on the road in your state. Compliance is not the same as registration or roadworthy — those are state-based.
Typically around 12–16 weeks from purchase in the UK to being road-ready in Australia, depending on shipping and compliance.
Buying a Car in the UK
A large part of our UK work is helping Australian clients buy from private sellers and dealers. If you have already found a car, send the link. If you have not, we can help look.
Private sellers
A major part of the UK service is helping clients purchase from private sellers. We can communicate with the seller, arrange inspection and help coordinate the transaction once you have approved the car.
Dealers
We also source and purchase through UK dealers and specialist dealers when that is the better car or the better way to buy it.
Finding your own car
If you find something on a UK listing website, dealer website or auction platform — including Autotrader, Pistonheads or Car & Classic — send us the link and we can discuss whether it is suitable to import.
Inspections
Where an inspection can be arranged, we recommend inspecting the actual vehicle before you commit. Older UK cars in particular can have rust, so an inspection is worth doing. You get the condition information and can walk away from that car.
Vehicle history
Prestige Car Imports has access to UK vehicle history tools that allow us to carry out VIN and background checks, review MOT history, available service history and other documentation to help confirm the history of the vehicle before purchase. We use this information alongside an independent physical inspection where appropriate so you can make a more informed decision before proceeding. History checks help assess the vehicle’s records; they do not guarantee its physical condition.
What Cars Can You Import From the UK?
Not every vehicle can be imported into Australia. Eligibility depends on the actual vehicle. If you are unsure, send the make, model and year.
Many newer vehicles are only eligible if they appear on the federal Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (SEVS) approved list, or another applicable Australian import pathway.
Vehicles 25 years or older may be eligible under the rolling 25-year import pathway, subject to the applicable requirements.
Typical UK searches include specialist and enthusiast models such as Ferrari 360 and Audi R8, as well as 25-year-old Porsches, BMWs and Mercedes-Benz models. Plenty of less obvious cars are imported too.
If the car you want is not on the list and is not 25 years old, still ask — some vehicles can be imported another way.
What Does It Cost to Import From the UK?
There is no single landed price. The vehicle purchase price, the GBP/AUD exchange rate, UK transport where it applies, shipping, customs/clearance, import duty where it applies, GST, luxury car tax where it applies, compliance, our fee and your state on-road costs all change the total.
When you are ready to begin sourcing or inspection work, the initial engagement/deposit payment is $1,190 AUD. Prestige Car Imports’ total fee depends on the vehicle and the transaction. You pay in stages as invoices fall due, rather than everything up front.
Estimates do not include state roadworthy, registration or stamp duty.
Import cost example
2001 Ferrari 360 Spyder Manual
Figures below are from the existing UK import estimate used on this page. Note: this is an estimate — not a quote. Exchange rate used: 1 AUD = 0.50 GBP.
| Car cost | £55,000.00 |
| Total FOB | £55,000.00 / $110,000.00 |
| Freight inc. customs, heat treatment, BAF | $5,500.00 |
| CIF (FOB + freight + 5% duty) | $121,000.00 |
| 10% GST | $12,100.00 |
| Landed inc GST | $133,100.00 |
| Luxury car tax (LCT) | $15,759.90 |
| Compliance | $6,000.00 |
| Prestige Car Imports fee | $5,990.00 |
| Total | $160,849.90 |
Every vehicle is different. Use the UK Import Cost Calculator to estimate your own import, then talk to us about the actual car.
Estimate Import Costs
Use our UK Import Cost Calculator to estimate the total based on the vehicle price, then contact us for a more detailed estimate on the actual vehicle.
Prestige Car Imports
Unit 4/43-45 Launceston St, Williamstown
- This was the first car I’ve imported. I was really uneasy about importing a car. I reached out to Prestage Car Imports through an add on Facebook and Dyson was the person that answered. He was very professional and upfront about the … More process what was involved and most importantly the time frame it was going to take. After that initial phone call I knew Prestage Car Imports were the people I was going to go with. I didn’t even bother contacting anyone else. I was still very hesitant about going through with importing a car. In the end I bit the bullet and done it. Now that I have the vehicle in my possession I’m very happy and pleased with the condition of the car. A big thank you to Dyson and Tayla for the dedication and work. I would highly recommend Prestage Car Imports. This won’t be my only import.
Ben Campbell - Dyson is knowledgeable and I definitely never felt that he was annoyed by my questions or repeated messages, he's always accommodating and respectful. He's a true businessman.
You can text him anytime and he always came back to … More me.
I initially approached him for a certain car but he showed me that it cannot be imported and directed me to a different car.
Car arrived safely and I drove it with pleasure, he wasn't bothered that I chose my own compliance warehouse in Sydney as my ones can do cars within 48 hours, very quick.
Downsides, car required a set of tyres, a new battery and service, but that is reasonable and can be expected.
Overall, I would recommend Dyson if you want to buy from Japanese auctions, as he had best prices so far. Doesn't matter which state you're in, Dyson is able to help - Review
I recently purchased a car from Prestige Cars and couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the beginning, the Dyson and Tayla was friendly, professional and easy to deal with. There was no pressure, and everything was explained … More clearly throughout the process.
The car was exactly as described, the whole process was smooth and straightforward, and the team went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of.
I would definitely recommend Prestige Cars to anyone looking for a quality vehicle and a dealership that genuinely cares about its customers. I’d happily buy from them again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Just wanted to give a huge shoutout to Dyson and the team at Prestige Car Imports.
I recently purchased an R35 GT-R from Japan, and the whole experience was far easier than I ever expected. Importing a car can seem pretty daunting when … More you're doing it for the first time, but Dyson guided me through every step and was always available to answer questions and provide updates.
Communication was excellent from start to finish, and I always felt confident that everything was being handled properly. The car arrived exactly as described and exceeded my expectations.
If you're thinking about importing a car from Japan, I'd highly recommend talking to Dyson. He's knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely cares about helping you find the right car.
Couldn't be happier with my GT-R and the service I received. Thanks again, Dyson! - Here’s a polished Google review that sounds genuine and highlights the key points you mentioned:
I had an excellent experience with Prestige Car Imports when importing my 2021 Toyota Crown RS Advance. From the very beginning, they were … More professional, transparent, and incredibly easy to deal with.
They initially advised that the process would take around 3–4 months from the auction date, but I had my car delivered in just 2.5 months, which exceeded my expectations. The final cost was also within the indicative budget they had provided, with no surprises along the way.
What really stood out was their communication. They kept me updated throughout the entire process, were always on top of everything, and I never had to chase them for updates. Their professionalism and honesty made the whole experience completely stress-free.
I highly recommend Prestige Car Imports to anyone looking to import a vehicle. I wouldn’t hesitate to use their services again in the future!
Facebook reviews
Common Questions About Importing From the UK
Not every vehicle can be imported. Many newer cars are only eligible if they are on the federal SEVS approved list or another applicable pathway. Vehicles 25 years or older may be eligible under the rolling 25-year import pathway, subject to the applicable requirements. We check the actual vehicle. If you are unsure, send the make, model and year.
Where appropriate, yes. We arrange an independent inspection before purchase and send you the condition information. You can walk away from that car if it is not right.
Yes. Helping Australian clients purchase from UK private sellers is a major part of the UK service. We can also buy through dealers and specialist dealers. If you have found a listing, send it through.
It depends on the car, the GBP/AUD rate, shipping, duty where it applies, GST, luxury car tax where it applies, compliance and state on-road costs. When you are ready to start sourcing or inspection work, the initial engagement payment is $1,190 AUD. Use the UK Import Cost Calculator for an estimate, then we can talk through a more detailed figure on the actual vehicle.
Typically around 12–16 weeks from purchase in the UK to being road-ready in Australia, depending on shipping and compliance.
Ready to Import From the UK?
Send the vehicle or listing you are considering, or tell us what you are looking for and your budget. We will talk through eligibility, likely costs and the process.