Are you considering buying a car in Europe? Find our articles on the same subject: buying a used car in Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Why go to Germany for a used car ?
First of all, to benefit from lower prices. The used car market is very well supplied in Germany, the prices of new vehicles are lower and this is reflected in the used car market with sales prices 15% lower on average than in the French market. This phenomenon is particularly observed for German models popular in France: BMW, Audi, Mercedes or Porsche in the lead.
Then, the market presents cars from German brands in very good condition: the Germans have the deserved reputation for being very careful with their vehicles.
The fact that the second-hand market is particularly developed on the other side of the Rhine also offers the possibility of finding sometimes rare cars in France, in particular coupes, sedans or gasoline SUVs, little sold as new in our country. For example: BMW 5 Series, 6 Series, X6, M versions; Audi A5, A6, Q7, Audi Sport RS range; Mercedes C-Class, CLS, AMG versions,…
Check out our used German cars Controlled and guaranteed CapCar vehicles
Buying well for a good deal
If you want to buy a car in Germany, you risk finding yourself in front of a plethora of choices. Our advice, take a good look at the models that appeal to you, set a budget, mileage, engine or options that interest you, and go through the ads. Choose cars that are not at the other end of Germany: this can quickly get far and your interlocutors may be less comfortable with selling a car to France.
If you find German cars that you like, pay attention to their finish and equipment. There are sometimes more finishes available in Germany than in France for the same model, so they can be less well equipped than equivalent cars in France, also explaining the lower price (for example, some Audi in S-Line finish which did not have steering wheel controls or GPS in Germany, but are supplied as standard in France).
In addition, German tastes and needs may differ from ours (e.g. cars cars very often have heated seats, or manual air conditioning, which is rarely a plus in France).
CapCar's adviceChoose your choice of a well-equipped car with a clear history, to avoid any difficulty in reselling! A car with a clear history usually sells much faster and gives buyers confidence.
Finally, favor the high-end (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche) because their purchase will be more profitable in look at the various costs associated with buying a car abroad. So see to eliminate common cars (Volkswagen or Opel type except high-end models like the VW Touareg).
Last very important point, pay attention to the final profitability of your purchase project, because buying a used vehicle abroad is not always profitable. Including all costs, for the transaction to be advantageous, count a difference of at least 2000 euros with a car bought in France.
Remember that when you import a recent used car , if it is entering French territory for the first time, you must pay the carbon tax corresponding to the CO2 emissions of your car. It is all the more restrictive as the financial interest is more consequent on large engines in Germany, it is thus necessary to be sure to be able to make a substantial profit vis-a-vis a purchase in France. go to Germany, find your used Audi A1 on Capcar.
Be careful before buying, the dangers are numerous
First of all, the barrier of the language is important, especially if you are buying a private car. If you are not fluent in German or English, it will be difficult to conduct a secure transaction without the help of a third party. It is therefore necessary to be extremely vigilant, because a misunderstanding can quickly occur.
If you choose to carry out the transaction with a dealer, we advise you to choose one located near the border, because he should be more used to dealing with strangers. Do not hesitate to bring an expert or a German-speaking person with you to support you. Germans also mostly speak English, so this can also be a way of communicating, but you will need a solid foundation for a peaceful transaction.
Remember that being wary is essential because scams are ubiquitous. German used car dealers tend to tamper with certain parts of cars, such as the odometer, on a routine basis in order to drive up prices. This is a classic scam, and it is estimated that it affects one in three cars in Germany.
In fact, you only need to get a simple box to change the mileage, box that is allowed to own in Germany, but not to use…! German law is not very careful on these practices.
So it is essential to require a mileage check when buying the car by making an expertise, which however has a certain cost (60-70 €). In addition, check the history of the car, its maintenance invoices and its maintenance book to ensure the purchase.
The administrative procedures to be followed to buy
To collect your car in Germany and be able to enjoy it without problems in France, there are a few simple steps to follow in order to be in order during the purchase:
You must declare the purchase of your vehicle in a within 15 days at the tax office on which you depend, by providing you with your registration certificate (gray card), the sales contract (purchase invoice or transfer certificate), your identity card and proof of address. This step allows you to obtain a tax clearance, which allows you to show that you are in order with the taxes and in order not to have to pay VAT on the car. For cars over 4 years old, a control French technique is mandatory, even if when purchasing your vehicle an inspection was carried out in Germany Obtain a French registration card at the prefecture, maximum one month after the date of purchase of the car. You can access the necessary information on the ANTS (National Agency for Secured Titles) website.
Regarding the license plate, in most cases, it will have been removed from the vehicle. You then have two possibilities:
Either you get a German temporary license plate (Kurzkennzeichen, cost around 35 €), then a French temporary license plate (WW, cost 30 €).
Either you get a German plate intended for export (Ausfuhrkennzeichen, cost 80 €); this is usually the easiest solution.
So buying a car in Germany can be advantageous, but still carries certain risks. Study the French market precisely beforehand, because you can also find good vehicles without crossing the border. Consider, for example, our cars for sale on CapCar.fr! Finally, be aware that a car imported from Germany will sell for less in France than if it were of French origin - so consider including this in your calculation if you plan to resell it later!
