We are living in a much smaller world than our ancestors. The reason is simple, the introduction of the internet has changed our perception of pretty much every topic. Furthermore, pretty much every company in the world now operates online to stay competitive in the market. Nowadays, you can buy anything from any part of the world in a matter of seconds.
Plus, shipping networks are more efficient than they have ever been. One of the hottest industries today is the automotive industry. It offers countless possibilities to every buyer. When talking about the US, many don’t know that Mexico is the top source of US car imports. But what about buying a car when you are abroad.
Buying a car is a stressful process in your own country, let alone looking for a new ride when you are abroad. Let’s see how you can make this process as easy as possible.
Table of Contents
Follow These When Buying A Car In A Foreign Country
1. Look For A Credible Source
Since you are in a foreign country, the chance of you facing some hardships in a wide array of different fields is higher. In the US, you can see many car sales that are not credible. Imagine the situation when you don’t know the local language. Sure, this can be quite a hassle. Thankfully, it is not something you cannot overcome. Looking for a credible source should start with people you know.
We don’t believe you will receive better information from any source than your friends. If you don’t have anyone to ask about that, we recommend you continue your research online. Thankfully, there are many specialized forums and online reviews you can take a look at. Many people don’t believe these are credible but they are in most cases.
2. Learn About Taxes
Sure, we all know that types of taxes are different from country to country. If you are on a trip and want to have an automobile you can depend on, you need to inform yourself about local taxes. On the other hand, if you import a car into the United States, there are a couple of possible scenarios. If you register it before shipping, you will need to pay it before it arrives in the country.
When you acquired a car while you were abroad, you will need to pay a tax when you return to the US. Since we are talking about a used car, the fee will not be as high as when you import it. The duty rate for automobiles is 2.5% of the car’s price. Sure, regulation varies from state to state. So, learn all about the law in your state, and what are you required for the transportation.
3. Clear Sales Contract
Signing a contract written in a foreign country is never an easy thing to do. To avoid any unpleasantries, make sure you have a local lawyer with you at all times. Not just for the translation, of course. Local lawyers know the regulation, and they will make sure you have a clear sales contract.
Furthermore, insist on seeing the car’s documentation and ownership details. We are talking about the registration papers, deed of transfer, and repair log. It wouldn’t hurt to see if there are some additional documents you can have an insight into. With credible companies like Carzary Saudi, you will not have these problems.
4. Check The Warranty
Now, we’ve got to a significant part, the warranty. To know how crucial it is, you should know that the major players on the market spent roughly 2% of their revenue on warranty expenses in 2019. It doesn’t matter how credible the seller is, check these papers. Otherwise, don’t purchase a vehicle. You need to look for all the elements related to the warranty with the utmost care.
We are talking about warranty coverage. Since you are a foreigner, you should ask about geographical coverage. How valid it is, and who is responsible for taking care of these repairs? We are talking about situations when owners learn that the most recent vendor is obligated to take care of repairs only when issuing the warranty.
5. The Final Decision
In case you haven’t become a permanent resident of a foreign country, chances are you will return to the US at some point. The most obvious thing would be to sell the vehicle. Have in mind that you will need some time to find the buyer and finish the paperwork.
If you decide to take them home with you, start calculating the import duties, shipping costs, and insurance. Furthermore, see if the parts needed for that vehicle are available in your country, just in case. Not finding parts for foreign cars in the United States is much more common than people think.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are a lot of things for you to take into consideration. Sticking to these will prevent you from many unpleasant situations, believe us.
