It’s one of the first questions people ask us, usually with an apologetic “is it even worth it?” on the end. Sometimes it isn’t, and we’ll say so. Often it is, by more than people expect. Here’s how to tell which camp you’re in.
Step one: know what selling really gets you
When you sell a car in Singapore, a big part of the price is the PARF and COE rebate the car carries. The rebate isn’t lost if you export it. When the car is deregistered for export, the rebate still comes to you.
So the honest comparison is not “dealer price versus import cost”. It’s:
- What a buyer pays you, minus the rebate you’d collect anyway. That difference is the money you actually give up by exporting.
- Versus what it costs to bring the car over, and what you’d otherwise spend on a car in the UK.
Ask a dealer for a price, then look up your rebate on OneMotoring. The gap between the two is often smaller than people think, especially on a car with only a few years left on its COE.
Step two: know what bringing it costs
If you’re relocating, Transfer of Residence relief usually takes import duty and VAT off entirely, provided you’ve owned the car for at least six months and lived abroad for at least twelve. That leaves:
- Collection and shipping from Singapore
- Customs clearance
- Any modifications the car needs, usually the speedometer to mph
- An IVA test (under ten years old) or an MOT (ten and over)
- DVLA registration and plates
Your quote itemises every one of those. If ToR doesn’t apply, add 10% duty and then 20% VAT on the value, shipping and duty. The calculator does that sum for you.
Step three: price the same car in the UK
This is where Singapore cars often win. Look for the same make, model, age and spec on UK sale sites. Some cars sold new in Singapore were never sold new here at all, like a lot of Japanese MPVs, and a well-kept one can be hard to replace.
Right-hand drive helps too. Singapore drives on the left like we do, so there’s no headlight conversion and no left-hand-drive car to get used to.
The rules of thumb we’d use
- Newer car, you’re relocating, ToR applies: usually worth bringing. There is no duty or VAT to pay, and the car is worth more here than the gap you’d give up in Singapore.
- Near the end of its COE and over ten years old: often better sold or scrapped. The rebate is small and the car may be worth little in either country.
- A car you love, or can’t easily buy again in the UK: the numbers matter less, and that’s fine. Just go in knowing them.
- Bought within the last six months: ToR won’t apply, so price in duty and VAT before deciding.
Then ask us
Send us the car on the quote form, and mention your moving date and what a dealer has offered. We’ll give you the real import cost and a straight opinion. If selling makes more sense, we’ll tell you that too.