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So, you’re looking to buy abroad. There are countless reasons to look at other countries when buying a new vehicle. However, while this can be useful, it’s not the same as buying from home. In line with this thought, we’re looking at some key considerations when buying vehicles abroad.
It's possible to import cars rather than buying from home. In fact, DVLA statistics suggest that over 200,000 have come into the country in the past decade or so. But, if this is an option you’ve been looking at, we’d recommend accounting for the following factors.
One of the main things to consider when looking to import a vehicle is the cost. Indeed, getting hold of cars abroad can often be cheaper to buy; however, when imports are factored in, this may not be as cost-effective. Thus, researching important costs is vital and this will often vary depending on the type of vehicle and where you’re importing from.
Assuming the price is right and import costs aren’t prohibitive, you may think it makes sound financial sense to import. However, this isn’t the only financial aspect to consider. In addition to this, you should also account for the available warranty; indeed, if a problem arises, it’s good to know if you’ll be covered.
Of course, warranties will always vary considerably. And, second-hand vehicles may not always come with one, mainly if bought from a private seller. Thus, before handing over any money, doing your research is important to make sure that you’ve chosen safely. A detailed car history check can make this significantly easier for many vehicles imported prior. However, if the car is still in another country, you may have to try other means of verifying the sale.
Many people in the UK will purchase a car on finance. However, this may be more difficult if you are buying a car from another country. Therein, carefully considering your financing method is paramount to ensure you can pay on time.
Most countries have very high standards when it comes to vehicle regulations and safety. Nonetheless, there are considerable differences between many countries, and the official British specs may not apply to imports. Always check this carefully to make sure the car is what you’re looking for.
Don’t forget, if you’re importing from a non-English-speaking country, language barriers may rear their head. This can make it much harder to converse with the seller; moreover, it likely means the car’s service history and handbook could be in another language.
At the end of the day, car buying is a complex process. This is true in any case; however, if you’re searching abroad, things can feel even trickier. Luckily, this doesn’t have to be the case. So, try to keep today’s considerations in mind. This should help you decide whether looking to another country is right for you.