What changes on a South African car
South Africa drives on the left, so its cars are built for roads like ours. That makes the list of changes short. Here is what is on it, and what decides the rest.
Most cars imported to the UK arrive built for the other side of the road. Headlights dip the wrong way, and some need substantial work before they can be tested. A South African car does not have that problem.
It is right-hand drive. Its headlights already dip to the left. The mirrors, wipers and controls are where a UK driver expects them. What is left is a short, predictable list, plus whatever the car's age and history add.
The right-hand drive head start
Because South Africa drives on the left, there is no steering conversion and no headlight beam conversion. Those are the jobs that make some imports expensive, and they simply do not apply here.
That is why a South African car usually needs little workshop time. The work tends to be small jobs, not big ones.
The speedometer has to show mph
UK rules say the speedometer must show miles per hour. Many South African cars read in km/h only, so this is one of the usual jobs on them.
How it is done depends on the car. On some, the display can be switched to mph. On others, the dial face is changed or overlaid so that it shows mph, either as the main scale or alongside km/h. We will tell you which applies to yours.
A rear fog light, if it is missing
A rear fog light is needed for the UK. Some South African cars have one from the factory, and some do not. If yours does not, we fit one.
It is a routine job. The main thing is that it is fitted properly, in the right position, so it passes the test first time.
Tyres, brakes and general condition
Like any car on UK roads, an import has to be in good order. Tyres, brakes, lights, glass and suspension are all looked at during the test. A car that is due a service or wearing its tyres down will need that sorted, just as it would here.
None of this is specific to South Africa. It is simply worth knowing that a tired car will cost more to get through its test than a well-kept one, whichever test that is.
Which test, and why emissions paperwork matters
The test depends on the car's age. Under 10 years old, it needs an IVA test. From 10 years old, an MOT. Over 40 years old, no MOT is needed before registration.
The IVA is the more involved of the two. As well as checking the car itself, it looks at whether the car meets the standards expected of a car of its age, and emissions are part of that. For many models that means evidence, usually from the manufacturer, that the car meets the emissions standard. We will tell you what your model needs and help you get it.
We are the first privately owned IVA testing centre for passenger vehicles in the UK, and we test on our own site every week. So the car does not wait for a slot somewhere else.
Modified cars
Bakkies, 4x4s and classics are sometimes modified, with lifts, bigger wheels or more power. A modified car can still be imported, but the changes matter.
Lift kits, bigger wheels, engine swaps and changed lighting all need to be checked against the test. Some will be fine. Some may need putting back, or evidence that they are safe. And a classic that has been modified may not qualify for the lower classic import rate, which is meant for cars that are original.
Tell us about any changes before the car ships. It is much easier to plan for them than to discover them in the test lane.
Bakkies and 4x4s
Double-cab bakkies and 4x4s follow the same short list as any other South African car: an mph speedometer, a rear fog light if missing, and the right test for their age.
Two things are worth knowing. First, these are the vehicles most often modified, so check what has been changed. Second, since April 2025 HMRC treats double-cab pick-ups as cars for company car tax and capital allowances. If you plan to use one for business, speak to your accountant. Our bakkies and 4x4s page has more.
What we need from you
Clear photos of the speedometer, the rear lights and anything that has been changed tell us most of what we need. Add the build year and the chassis number, and we can tell you before the car ships what the work will be.
Your car: the likely jobs
Answer the questions to see a likely job list. In short: an mph speedometer, a rear fog light if missing, and an IVA, an MOT or no test depending on age.
Questions people ask
Do South African cars need their headlights changing for the UK?
No. South Africa drives on the left, so the headlights already dip to the left, the same as UK cars. There is no beam conversion to do.
Does the speedometer have to be changed?
It has to show miles per hour. If the speedometer only reads in km/h, it is converted or replaced so that it shows mph, either as the main scale or alongside km/h.
My car has no rear fog light. Is that a problem?
Not a big one. A rear fog light is fitted if the car does not have one. It is one of the most routine jobs on a South African car.
Can a modified car be imported?
Yes, but tell us about the changes before it ships. Modifications can make testing more involved, and a modified classic may not qualify for the lower classic import rate. We will tell you what your car will need.