US Imports
Own a PORSCHE, FERRARI or MERCEDES up to 90% of price!
The best place to buy a brand new car is a DMV Licensed Dealer. Be aware that the tax amount vary from state to state and should not be payed if the vehicle is for immediate export.
Only a few car brands offer a worldwide waranty.
The customs fee amount for vehicles imported from US and Canada is 10% + VAT (exp. Germany).
Some guidelines for buying used cars overseas in US and Canada
It is common that the vehicles are not as well maintenanced as in some Europe countries like Swiss or Germany. Even a recent check at a Car workshop can't be a 100% secure way to prevent you from (expensive) repair, especially when it comes to real bargin.
Cars from California, Florida or any southern state are not by default rustfree.
The production year of the vehicle is very important for buyers in US. The manufacturers showcase the models for the next year already in autumn, the models for 2008 are already for sale in autumn 2007. Sometimes it could happen that You can find models for next year already in spring. So the "old" models come cheaper altough they are new, unused. Ocasion for bargins and new cars for less money. Important thing is that you always can check the production year through the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
Since production year 1971. all US vehicles may use unleaded fuel without having to replace or modify any parts).
From 1972 on the engine power for all US vehicles is provided as netto SAE HP.
It is a common belief in Europe that US vehicles have less harmfull exhaust emission than europe cars because the US emission standards are more strickt than in Europe. This not the case at all. For importing a US car you have to provide a datasheet about cars exaust emission to meet the EU standards.
Tires on US cars are alowed in the EU if they have EU or ECE mark with max. load und max. speed, otherwise they have to be replaced according to EU standards.
Example: Tire mark is P195/70/R15 94H
- P - passenger car
- 205 - tire width
- 70 - tire height/width index
- R - "radial" built
- 15 - rim diameter
- 94 - max. load index
- H - max. speed (incl. tolerance)
If the mark contains even "M+S" this could mean that the cars max speed can be greater than the max. speed index of the tire. In other words, if the tire mark is P195/70/R15 M/S, the tire has to be replaced before car registration process.
American vehicle registration
A car ready for export from the US has to have a Cerificate of title (short: Title), otherwise the US Custom will not alow the export. You can see the production year and the mileage in the Title, because everytime the cars changes his owners the correct mileage is written down in the Title. This doesn't mean that you can find out the number of previus owners. Use a service to searche nationwide databases to get a detailed vehicle history report.
Difference between Certificate of origin and Certificate of title
Every new car has a Certificate of Origin and every used car should have a Certificate of title. You need either one to import and register a car from US in Europe.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
In the following table we explain the content of the VIN and how you can find out the production year. Since 1981 the Vin has 17 symbols. On the 10th place is the symbol of the production year.
Example: Dodge Stratus with VIN: 4B3AG42G14E147745.
On the 10th place is 4. Corresponding to the table this represents production year 2004.
| symbol | model year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
| C | 1982 |
| D | 1983 |
| E | 1984 |
| F | 1985 |
| G | 1986 |
| H | 1987 |
| J | 1988 |
| K | 1989 |
| L | 1990 |
| M | 1991 |
| N | 1992 |
| P | 1993 |
| R | 1994 |
| S | 1995 |
| T | 1996 |
| V | 1997 |
| W | 1998 |
| X | 1999 |
| Y | 2000 |
| 1 | 2001 |
| 2 | 2002 |
| 3 | 2003 |
| 4 | 2004 |
| 5 | 2005 |
| 6 | 2006 |
| 7 | 2007 |
The model year is the year the cars has been built. Model year 1991 means that the car has been built in the time between autumn 1990 and autumn 1991. The production month can be read from a sticker on the drivers door or the car chassis. The model year can be read from the Certificate if Title and from the VIN.
Own your Dream Car up to 90% of price!
The date when the Certificate of title was created and the date when the car was first registered are not always the same. As soon as the car changes the owner for the second time the date of the first registration is gonne. It can happen that a car has been offered to you which Certificate of Title is dated 06-03-1993, but the model year of the vehicle is 1991. For that reason the price has to be lower. CAUTION!: Keep away from cars which are offered without the Certification of Title even if it's a real bargin.
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Cars
To be certified, cars must meet age and mileage requirements established by the manufacturer. Then, they undergo comprehensive inspections at the dealership. Certified Pre-Owned cars often come with a warranty, features, and financing rates much like buying new. Choosing CPO may mean you get your dream car for a lot less money.
