Honda Accord

Importing a used Honda Accord from the USA

The Honda Accord is one of the vehicles that makes a genuinely strong case for a private US import. The mid-size sedan has been built in the United States for decades, which matters twice over: the American market is flooded with clean, well-maintained examples, and a car assembled in Ohio carries the kind of documented US origin that can open the door to 0% EU import duty. For a German buyer who wants a comfortable, durable everyday sedan that is thin on the ground in Europe, shipping one over is often more sensible than it first looks.

As an independent broker, USCar Trader sources used Accords on your behalf. We do not hold stock and we take no margin on the car itself. What follows is the practical background you need before deciding whether an Accord import is right for you.

Generations at a glance

The Accord has run through ten full generations since 1976, but the ones that reach the European used-import market are the more recent, larger sedans. The eighth generation (2008-2012) grew into a full mid-size car with 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 3.5-litre V6 engines. The ninth generation (2013-2017) introduced Honda's Earth Dreams 2.4 direct-injection four and a refined 3.5 V6, plus the first serious Accord Hybrid. The tenth generation (2018-2022) dropped the V6 entirely, moving to turbocharged engines and a two-motor hybrid, and switched to a longer, lower platform. The eleventh generation arrived for 2023 with a simplified line-up centred on the hybrid. When you search the US market, you are mostly looking at ninth- and tenth-generation cars.

Powertrain lineup

US Accords are front-wheel drive across the board. The ninth generation offered the K24W 2.4-litre i-VTEC four (around 185 hp) and the J35Y 3.5 V6 (around 278 hp), the four mated to a CVT and the V6 to a conventional six-speed automatic. The tenth generation replaced both with two turbo fours from the Civic family: the L15 1.5-litre turbo (192 hp) and the K20C 2.0-litre turbo (252 hp), the latter paired with a 10-speed automatic and, on some trims, a genuine six-speed manual. The Accord Hybrid uses Honda's i-MMD two-motor system built around a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine. There is no all-wheel-drive Accord, which is worth knowing if you expected one.

Trims in the US market

For the generations that matter to importers, the Accord is a four-door sedan. (A two-door coupe existed through 2017 but is comparatively rare.) US trim ladders typically run LX, Sport, EX, EX-L and Touring, with the Sport and Touring drawing the most import interest thanks to the larger engine, bigger wheels and fuller equipment. Touring cars add adaptive dampers, ventilated seats, a head-up display and wireless charging. The Hybrid mirrors this ladder with its own EX-L and Touring grades.

The used market stateside

Supply is the Accord's biggest advantage. It sells in enormous numbers across the US, so at any given time there are thousands of used cars spanning every generation, trim and mileage band. Typical import candidates are three to eight years old with 40,000 to 120,000 miles, and because the Accord is a favourite of long-distance commuters, high-mileage highway cars in excellent mechanical shape are common. Southern and western states offer rust-free bodies; a car from Arizona, Texas or California will usually show far less corrosion than a comparable European example of the same age.

Who should import one

An Accord import suits the buyer who wants a spacious, refined and famously dependable sedan without paying European-market scarcity premiums, and who values the paperwork advantage of a US-built car. It is a poor choice if you specifically need all-wheel drive or a diesel. For everyone else who commutes long distances, wants relaxed cruising, and cares about long-term reliability over badge prestige, the used Accord is one of the most rational cars you can bring across the Atlantic.

Key specifications

How reliable is it?

The Accord earns its reputation, but no car is faultless. On the 1.5 turbo, the most discussed issue is fuel dilution of the engine oil in short-trip, cold-climate use, which Honda addressed with software and, in some markets, extended warranties; check for updated calibrations and clean oil. The CVT on four-cylinder ninth-generation cars is durable if serviced but dislikes neglected fluid, so confirm the transmission fluid has been changed. Earlier direct-injection fours can accumulate intake-valve carbon over high mileage. Infotainment quirks and the occasional Bluetooth or backup-camera glitch appear on older units. Suspension bushings and front lower control arms are the usual wear items on high-mileage highway cars. None of this is unusual, and a documented service history clears up most of it.

What US models do differently

US Accords run amber rear turn signals or combined red units that may need attention, headlights are set up for right-hand traffic, and there is no rear fog lamp — all standard items on the German approval list. Instrument clusters read in miles per hour, though most tenth-generation cars can display km/h. US safety and emissions specifications are close to European norms, which keeps the individual approval straightforward. Equipment tends to be generous for the money, but options like a spare wheel are often deleted in favour of a repair kit.

Seven steps to your import

The process runs in a clear sequence: select a specific car and have us inspect it; verify the VIN and confirm US assembly for the origin claim; place funds in escrow so the seller is paid only once the car is secured; arrange inland transport to the port and ocean freight to a European harbour such as Bremerhaven; clear customs with the origin and value documentation; present the car for TUV and individual approval (Einzelabnahme); then complete German registration. USCar Trader coordinates each stage as your intermediary.

Customs, taxes and costs explained

In short: the 0% duty rate applies only with documented US origin (VIN/plant) – German import VAT of 19% is always due.

Two separate charges apply and we never blend them into a single "all-in" figure. Import duty depends strictly on origin: under Regulations (EU) 2026/1455 and 2026/1461, a car of provable US origin imported directly can qualify for a 0% duty rate between 1 July 2026 and 31 December 2029. Because the Accord is assembled in Ohio, most examples support that claim once the VIN and plant are verified — but it is never automatic and never guaranteed without documentation. Separately, the 19% German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) always applies, calculated on the customs value plus freight and duty. We quote our brokerage service transparently and never add a hidden margin to the vehicle.

German TÜV and registration

Expect a short list of typical changes: fitting or activating a rear fog lamp, adjusting or replacing headlights for European beam pattern, and confirming the odometer reads correctly (conversion or documentation to km). The speedometer display is usually switchable. Once the technical service signs off, you receive the paperwork needed for registration at your local authority.

The buyer checklist

Before committing to any used Accord, work through these points: decode the VIN and confirm US assembly for the origin case; pull a Carfax or AutoCheck history for accidents, title brands and odometer consistency; inspect underbody and wheel arches for rust, especially on cars from northern states; confirm the CVT or automatic fluid has been serviced; verify a clean title (no salvage or flood); check for open recalls; and ask for maintenance records showing regular oil changes.

Questions and answers

Is a used Honda Accord a good import from the USA?

Yes. Deep US supply, low prices for clean cars and Ohio assembly that supports a strong origin claim make the Accord one of the more logical import sedans.

Does the Honda Accord qualify for 0% EU import duty?

It often can, because US-market Accords are built in Ohio. The 0% rate applies only with provable US origin via VIN and plant, direct transport, and within the 2026-2029 window — it is never guaranteed in advance.

Do I still pay VAT on an imported Accord?

Always. The 19% German import VAT applies to every import regardless of origin and is calculated separately from any duty.

Which Accord engine should I look for?

The 1.5 turbo suits economy-focused buyers, the 2.0 turbo delivers strong performance, and the hybrid offers the best fuel figures. Match the engine to how you drive.

How reliable is the Honda Accord?

Very, with the caveats above around 1.5 turbo oil dilution and CVT fluid maintenance. A serviced car with clean history is a dependable long-term proposition.

Is the Accord available with all-wheel drive?

No. Every US Accord is front-wheel drive; if you need AWD, this is not the model for you.

How long does the import take?

Typically several weeks once a car is chosen, driven by ocean freight schedules and customs and approval timing.

Ready to look at cars? Browse Honda in the Carhub, compare the sportier Honda Civic and the efficient Honda Insight, or weigh it against the Toyota Camry. When you are ready, view current Accord listings.