From a Scam to the Open Road

From a Scam to the Open Road: Top 10 Things to Know About Importing a Car from Poland

1. How We Ended Up importing a car from Poland

Life throws challenges at you, and ours came in the form of a scam. YourStyle Leisure in Northwich scammed us took our money and left us stranded. But instead of giving up, we found another way forward. That path led us to Poland, where we bought a Toyota Hilux Extra Cab and imported it to the UK.

2. Why Poland?

Poland has a strong automotive market, offering a wide range of vehicles at competitive prices. Many cars in Poland are well-maintained, especially those sourced from Germany. Plus, their registration and documentation system is well-organized, making it a reliable option for buyers.

3. Finding the Right Vehicle

**The truck after modification and Uk registration for carrying the Tischer**

If you’re considering importing a car from Poland, start with Polish car marketplaces like Otomoto.pl and OLX.pl. These platforms list thousands of vehicles, and many sellers speak English, making communication easier.

4. Understanding Polish Car Prices

Cars in Poland can be up to 30% cheaper than in the UK due to lower taxes and a higher turnover of vehicles. However, prices vary depending on mileage, age, and condition. Be sure to compare prices with UK equivalents before committing.

5. Checking the Vehicle’s History

Before purchasing, always check the car’s history through the Polish government’s vehicle database (https://historiapojazdu.gov.pl/). This will reveal past accidents, ownership details, and whether the car has outstanding debts—crucial information for avoiding trouble down the line.

6. How to Handle Paperwork and Documentation

Polish cars come with a registration certificate (dowód rejestracyjny) and a vehicle card (karta pojazdu). To export the car, you’ll need:

A sales agreement (umowa kupna-sprzedaży)
A de-registration document from Poland (wyrejestrowanie pojazdu)
An export license plate (which includes temporary insurance)
A valid EU Certificate of Conformity (CoC) if required for UK registration

7. Getting the Vehicle to the UK

You have two main options:

Drive it yourself: If you’ve obtained export plates and insurance, you can drive the vehicle from Poland back to the UK.
We drove back on the polish plate as I was the legal owner and had a reg document in my name then we dropped it of at mycarimport who made it british legal swapping headlights dashboard components like the speedometer etc
Use a transport service: If you prefer not to drive, there are transport companies that will deliver your car to the UK for a fee.

8. UK Import Taxes and Registration

Once the vehicle arrives in the UK, you need to:

**All brand new before the rebrand we have today**

Notify HMRC within 14 days via the NOVA system (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals)
Pay VAT (if applicable) – usually for new or nearly new cars
Get an MOT if the car is over 3 years old
Apply for a UK V5C registration document with the DVLA
Obtain UK plates and insurance before driving on UK roads
we used my car import for all of this it was a painless process

9. The Importance of a Good Mechanic

We were lucky to have Nolan from NRS Leisure on our side. He not only sourced a Tischer 260SD truck camper from Germany but also ensured that everything fit together perfectly with our Toyota Hilux. If you’re importing a car, having a reliable mechanic inspect and prepare your vehicle for UK roads is essential.

10. From a Setback to an Adventure

What started as a scam turned into an opportunity. Thanks to Nolan and NRS Leisure, we got our perfect overlanding setup. If there’s one lesson in all this, it’s that setbacks don’t have to define you. With the right mindset—and the right people—you can turn them into something far better than you imagined.

The road ahead was now ours to take, but the drama wasn’t over—not by a long shot...

Tischer and a Toyota