diff --git a/backend/src/features/user-import/domain/user-import.service.ts b/backend/src/features/user-import/domain/user-import.service.ts
index b14faf9..d859d19 100644
--- a/backend/src/features/user-import/domain/user-import.service.ts
+++ b/backend/src/features/user-import/domain/user-import.service.ts
@@ -246,23 +246,41 @@ export class UserImportService {
         try {
           logger.debug('Processing vehicle', {
             userId,
+            id: vehicle.id,
             vin: vehicle.vin,
             make: vehicle.make,
             model: vehicle.model,
             year: vehicle.year,
+            licensePlate: vehicle.licensePlate,
           });
 
           let existing = null;
 
-          // Try to find existing vehicle by VIN first
-          if (vehicle.vin && vehicle.vin.trim().length > 0) {
+          // Try to find existing vehicle by ID first (preserves identity across exports)
+          if (vehicle.id) {
+            existing = await this.vehiclesRepo.findById(vehicle.id);
+            // Verify it belongs to the same user
+            if (existing && existing.userId !== userId) {
+              logger.warn('Vehicle ID belongs to different user, ignoring', {
+                vehicleId: vehicle.id,
+                expectedUserId: userId,
+                actualUserId: existing.userId,
+              });
+              existing = null;
+            } else if (existing) {
+              logger.debug('Found existing vehicle by ID', { vehicleId: existing.id });
+            }
+          }
+
+          // Try to find existing vehicle by VIN if not found by ID
+          if (!existing && vehicle.vin && vehicle.vin.trim().length > 0) {
             existing = await this.vehiclesRepo.findByUserAndVIN(userId, vehicle.vin.trim());
             if (existing) {
               logger.debug('Found existing vehicle by VIN', { vehicleId: existing.id, vin: vehicle.vin });
             }
           }
 
-          // If not found by VIN and license plate exists, try license plate
+          // If not found by ID or VIN, and license plate exists, try license plate
           if (!existing && vehicle.licensePlate && vehicle.licensePlate.trim().length > 0) {
             const allUserVehicles = await this.vehiclesRepo.findByUserId(userId);
             existing = allUserVehicles.find(