A grey market vehicle was manufactured to another country's specification and brought in privately rather than through the manufacturer's distribution network.
The practical consequences are specification differences that affect compliance, parts and servicing. Lighting, emissions equipment, instruments and safety systems may all differ from the domestic version, and a dealer may have no parts catalogue for it.
Import history also fragments the record. Anything that happened before import generally does not appear in North American databases at all.
Why it matters
Registration, insurance and repairs can all be harder, and the earlier history is usually unavailable.
How to check it
Check the VIN structure and the compliance labelling. An unusual manufacturer identifier for the badge on the car is the first clue.
Does this apply to the car you are looking at?
Run the VIN or plate and see what is actually on record.
Related terms
Definitions are general guidance, not legal advice. Title rules, total loss thresholds and inspection requirements are set by each state and change over time, so confirm the position with the motor vehicle agency for the state the vehicle is titled in before relying on it.