How to buy a car in Germany

The domestic secondary market offers consumers only a small part of what is available to buyers in Europe. This is not only a wide range of vehicles, but also an impeccable technical condition, rich equipment. One of the most popular destinations for buying used cars in Europe is Germany. We will tell you how to import a car from Germany, how to choose a car, who will clear it through customs, how long it will take.

Benefits of buying a used car in Germany

How profitable is buying a used car in Germany? Before we tell you how to buy a car from Germany, let's define the main advantages of such a purchase. Even taking into account the high overhead costs, which include the road, customs clearance, re-registration, buying German cars is incomparably more profitable than in many other countries.

Let's highlight the main advantages of such a purchase:

• German used cars remain in excellent technical condition for almost their entire service life. The reasons are simple: high quality maintenance, good roads, driving style. All this has a positive effect on the resource of the car, so buying a used car in Germany in good technical and cosmetic condition is a reality that we offer you to take advantage of.
• In Germany, tampering with odometers and concealing the facts of accidents are stricter - this is a criminal offense. When you buy a car in Germany, you get a contract that will indicate the actual mileage and guarantee that it has not been involved in an accident, i.e. has no physical damage.
• Even when buying a car at an online auction, the buyer has the opportunity to track the history of the car - from the moment it had its first owner to the present day. This is a very important factor, since the secondary market is the main place for selling stolen cars. In addition, the car may have a twisted mileage, it could be involved in an accident, which is often the cause of hidden defects. Checking a car by the VIN code allows you to shed light on the history of the operation of the car. This can be done at a special service at the address of checking VIN codes.
• In Germany, buying a used car can be much cheaper. The amount of customs duties remains high, but even this makes the purchase of a German car more profitable, given its technical condition and equipment.

How to import a car from Germany

A brief instruction-algorithm for buying a car in Germany:

• Decide on the make and model of the car, equipment, condition, age of the car.
• Choose an online platform to search for a used car (a great option is our online vehicle auction)
• Choose a broker who will help you clear the vehicle. (the relevance of this item depends on which
• country you want to drive the car to)
• To buy a car in Germany, you will need cash and some amount to pay customs costs.
• Determine the border crossing point after buying a car in Germany
• Registration of a contract of sale, customs declaration for exit from the European Union.
• Transfer of a set of documents to a broker who will prepare and submit an estimate with calculations of the cost of customs clearance.
• Payment of expenses under the previous paragraph and receipt of a preliminary customs declaration.
• Registration of an insurance policy, obtaining transit numbers.
• Transportation of the car across the border, to the customs terminal.
• Vehicle registration.

* when transporting to a country of the European Union, customs duties are not paid.

We will tell you more about the main stages of buying a car in Germany.

How to choose a car in Germany

Decide on a goal, find out which cars are most profitable to import from Germany. The best option in terms of price / quality ratio would be a vehicle manufactured in 2013-2018. If you are interested in a donor car (for disassembly), then proceed from the need for components.

It is best to search for a car at large sites where used cars are sold, as well as through official dealers of such auctions. This is an opportunity not only to receive comprehensive assistance in choosing a car, but also to order a vehicle transfer service from Germany.

What cars are profitable to import from Germany? Undoubtedly, these are cars of German brands that are not intended for export, but are created exclusively for the domestic market of the country. These include Volkswagen, BMW, Opel, Mercedes. These are original cars, created with German pedantry and love for quality things. In the German aftermarket, you will find vehicles from other European manufacturers.

You choose a car, and upon arrival in the country, inspect it on the spot. You can test drive the car before selling. If defects are found that were not indicated in the description of the car at the auction, a discount can be negotiated. This practice is not alien to German sellers.

Now to the question - where to find a good option for a used car. The most convenient platform for finding cars from Germany in the auto auction catalog https://plc.auction/auction/from-de How it works:

1. Go through a quick registration on the site. To do this, you will need a screenshot of an identity document (driver's license, passport).
2. Get full access to the search and participation in the auction.
3. To participate in the auction, make a deposit using any convenient payment method (10% of the cost of the car).
4. In case of winning the auction by any of the available methods.
5. In your personal account, you can track the delivery of the car in real time.

Searching and buying a car through an auction is profitable and safe.

Features of driving a car from Germany to France

The procedure for buying a new car in Germany is as follows. The buyer agrees on the price and signs the contract of sale. When selling a vehicle, the dealer provides a package of documents: a certificate of conformity, an invoice, a contract of sale.

Registration of an imported vehicle in France is carried out according to the following algorithm. You need to contact the tax office, providing them with an invoice and a registration card, as well as identity documents with proof of address of residence (for tax clearance). The tax office may require a translation of the invoice and registration document, with their certification.

Since the car is new, VAT must be paid in France. After payment, a tax certificate will be issued, which is necessary for registering the car.

Now about the algorithm for buying a used car in Germany. In order for the buyer of a German used car to have the opportunity to register a car in the future, the seller provides him with the following documents:

• Parts 1 and 2 of the registration document of the KFZ Fahrzeugschein and Fahrzeugbrief;
• Kaufvertrag (contract of sale);
• certification document (certificate of conformity).
• invoice.

After the conclusion of the transaction, the new owner needs to obtain transit numbers for transporting the car, as well as take out insurance. The latter should cover the period of validity of transit numbers (15 days). If you work with dealers, they usually take care of these formalities.

In addition to the documents mentioned above, the following must be provided:

• tax certificate (tax clearance);
• document on the technical inspection in the French or German centers.

Moreover, while waiting for registration, you can apply for a WW registration document, which entitles you to drive a vehicle for up to 4 months.

Features of driving a car from Germany to Spain

When buying a car, the buyer must receive the following package of documents:

• certificate of conformity;
• technical certificate;
• maintenance book;
• invoice (when buying a car from a dealer);
• contract of sale.

Payment can be made by bank transfer, but as a rule, it may take some time for an international transfer. A SWIFT transfer can also be made if your bank allows them - this process takes one to three business days. The best option is to buy a car for cash - you pay for an already checked and tested car.

Features of driving a car from Germany to Ukraine

Now about how to buy a used car in Germany for residents of Ukraine. After the contract of sale is concluded and payment for the car is made, the receipt of payment is sent to the broker and to customs. The broker draws up a preliminary customs declaration, with which you can move towards Ukraine.

At the conclusion of the transaction, the buyer receives a contract of sale, a customs declaration. In order not to issue a certificate confirming compliance with the Euro 5 standard in Ukraine, it must be requested from the dealer.

After purchasing a vehicle:

• prepare a package of documents;
• submit them to the registration authority in Germany;
• issue an insurance policy;
• issue a certificate;
• get transit numbers.

When importing a car at Ukrainian customs, you need to pay the following taxes and duties:

• excise tax (excise tax), the amount of which depends on the type and volume of the power plant;
• duty in the amount of 10% of the value of the car;
• VAT 20%, which is charged on the amount, which includes the cost of the car, duty and excise duty;
• customs payments.

Instead of a conclusion

Each country has its own rules for importing cars, which must be taken into account when planning a purchase. This will allow you to make a forecast of costs, time and determine the feasibility of such a transaction.