EU cars are currently more popular than ever before. Reimports from abroad are comparatively cheap to obtain. Get it right and you can save a lot of money by buying in other EU countries. This is how it works.
the advantages of the eU bargain certainly outweigh the disadvantages. However, you should not underestimate the effort involved in buying EU cars abroad.
What is actually an EU import??
An EU import is a new car that is brought onto the market in another country of the European Union. For the actual sale of the EU new cars, however, a transport of the vehicles to germany takes place. Further information on EU cars can be found here: Buying a new car: What are EU cars??
What are reimports?
A reimport, on the other hand, is a vehicle that was built in germany and intended for sale in another country. The car will be returned to germany afterwards. By reimporting a vehicle, the importer avoids the price specifications set by the manufacturer. In addition, there are no customs duties on the reimportation of a vehicle within the EU. As a rule, a reimported vehicle is a new car. Rarer, but also possible, are reimports of used cars. More details on reimports can be found here: buying a car – how does a reimport work??
Financial advantages of EU cars
When looking for a new car at a reasonable price, it is worthwhile not to ignore the price of vehicles in another country. Ideally, the prices can be about 40 percent lower than the prices in this country. The reason is simple: a vehicle is taxed at a much higher rate abroad. While only 19 percent VAT is charged in germany, it can be as high as 180 percent in a country in scandinavia.
This means that the net sales price for the vehicle is correspondingly lower than the price in Germany. Otherwise, no one would be able to afford a new car. The net prices for the new car – of course always depending on the manufacturer and model – are therefore particularly favorable, which you in turn benefit from if you decide on a new EU car. You only have to pay value-added tax in Germany on top of the low net price of the new EU car. The bottom line is that you can get particularly attractive discounts and thus favorable prices if you opt for an EU new car.
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Denmark, the netherlands, greece, spain, portugal, finland, occasionally belgium or france are considered generally favorable countries for buying cars
Buying a car in the EU – administrative costs to be considered
It is possible for a private individual to import a new passenger car from another country. However, the administrative effort involved in the purchase of re-imported cars, which can often be very high, should not be underestimated. For example, you will need to obtain a short-term license plate for the car from your insurance company so that you can officially transfer the new EU car from abroad. An original proof of purchase is required to register the new EU import vehicle with the local vehicle registration authority. When buying a vehicle on a foreign market – regardless of the brand – the COC plays a decisive role. This is a document that the registration office also requires if you want to register the car in germany.
In order to avoid problems with the insurance of EU vehicles, you must be able to establish beyond doubt that the car is new when you buy an inexpensive new EU car. This means that the car imported from another country must not have a previous owner and the speedometer should not show a mileage reading. In addition, the car must be no more than one year old. The completed service booklet of the new EU car is decisive for a warranty. In addition to the delivery date of the model, the chassis number is also an important piece of information. Only in the event that the papers of the EU new car are complete and comply with EU law, all authorized workshops of the respective car manufacturer are obliged to provide warranty services for the EU new car. It is essential that you obtain the original vehicle documents and purchase invoice that are customary in the country of purchase, as the local registration offices are not permitted to accept copies.
Another point is the tax office. You have exactly ten days after the introduction of a new EU car to pay the VAT due to the tax office by presenting the original invoice. You can only ensure a smooth process if you prepare well for the purchase of the vehicle and, if possible, get the support of an expert. Or you can decide directly for a qualified dealer, where you will get a personal consultation and can address all questions concerning the topic EU new car.
Buying EU cars from a dealer
There are numerous dealers in Germany who specialize in the re-importation of new vehicles. if a customer who is looking for an inexpensive new car decides to go this route, he or she will save on administrative costs, which can sometimes be quite high. Nevertheless, you should not refrain from visiting several dealers and taking advantage of personal advice to find out about EU vehicles. Especially with regard to registration, insurance, defects on new vehicles as well as warranty and full manufacturer warranty.
In the case of a new EU car imported into Germany from abroad, it is common for the manufacturer’s warranty to begin some time before the vehicle is handed over to the buyer. A buyer who wants to purchase a new car in the EU should therefore consider the issue of a full manufacturer’s warranty before making the purchase.
Differing equipment features of EU vehicles
Different countries, different customs and preferences. The equipment of EU cars is always based on national preferences and often differs from that of a new German car. This can be advantageous, but it can also lead to disadvantages. The type designation of the vehicle does not necessarily mean that all equipment details are the same. It is also by no means guaranteed that the EU car meets the standards of a German new car. Not even if it is a german brand. With regard to the equipment features, you must always check thoroughly what the model contains – and what not. For example, the electronic immobilizer is not standard throughout the EU. In germany, however, this safety standard is required by many insurance companies.
Furthermore, when buying a new EU car, you should inform yourself in good time about the euro 6 emissions standard. The euro 6 emissions standard sets limits for the emission of air pollutants from motor vehicles.
Besides safety, however, it is also a matter of personal preference. If you do not want to do without air conditioning in your new passenger car, EU cars from the south make sense. There are mostly air conditioners installed. The situation is different if you decide on a new car from a manufacturer in Scandinavia. There, on the other hand, you can rely on special winter equipment. The bottom line is that you have to be very careful with regard to the equipment, so that you end up with the right car at the best price.
Warranty and guarantee
As long as the reimport is a new car from the EU, you do not need to worry about warranty and guarantee claims. The claims are valid in the entire EU area. All authorized dealers in germany are obliged to process possible claims. But this is only the case if the car’s papers are adequately marked. The service booklet is particularly important for warranty and guarantee claims. Make sure that both the date of delivery of the EU new car and the chassis number are recorded there. Then you are guaranteed not to suffer any disadvantages in terms of warranty claims.
Reimport or car with one-day registration?
Daily registrations can also save a lot of money when buying a car. One-day registrations are the legal and very common way for dealerships to get around manufacturer discount limits. This makes it possible to get even better deals, and buyers can save even more on the cost of buying a new car.
If an available new car is registered by a dealer for only one day, it is called a one-day registration. This is how a new car becomes a young used car. the car is available either directly at the dealer or at a temporary storage facility. The vehicle usually does not leave its location at all in the case of a daily registration; the mileage therefore remains at zero. A one-day registration only takes place on paper and brings many advantages with it. For example, the customer gets better discounts, the dealer increases his sales and the manufacturer improves his statistics… Since one-day registrations are usually stock vehicles that are immediately available to the buyer, there are no long delivery times as with a new car.
Buying a car in a non-EU country
If you are buying a car in a non-EU country, you must be particularly careful. In this case, all claims will be handled according to the laws in force there. In case of doubt, this can become a real problem and present you with an insurmountable hurdle. Laymen should therefore refrain from buying a new car in a non-EU country. Especially if there is no knowledge available. When buying this car, it is essential to trust an expert.
you are looking for a used car bargain rather than a new car? In the article "buy a leaseback – why are these cars so cheap??" get helpful information.