Guide to Buying a Used Car from Germany: Smart Secrets & Pitfalls
Searching for a used car on German platforms offers countless options in equipment and versions that are rarely found in Greece. However, the fact that a car is located in Germany does not automatically guarantee that it is a "bargain".
To win in the German market, you need to know how to distinguish the really neat cars from the junk. Here are the most important points to look out for when researching the market.
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Choosing a Dealer: Autohaus vs. "Mandra" or Private. What should I choose?;
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Should I choose an official agency?;
Official distributors such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Porsche, accompany their cars with factory warranties (such as Audi Approved :plus or the Porsche Approved, Mercedes Young Star), have a complete history, and are the safest option.
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Some big merchant;
Large independent dealers with organized facilities and hundreds of cars. They are usually completely reliable.
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Small trader?;
Small yards. This is where the greatest caution is needed, as the vehicles may not have certified maintenance, and the information they give you about these cars may be incomplete or even false.
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Or a private individual?;
Great care is needed here as many times cars with very good prices turn out to be scams. Attention; We do not transfer money to an individual's account, not even for an advance payment.
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The importance of German VAT (MwSt. ausgewiesen)
If you are buying the car as a company (with the right to intra-community acquisition) or if you want to know the actual export value, pay attention to the wording of the price:
- VAT ausgewiesen (or Reimport / Netto): It means that VAT 19% is included in the price and can be deducted or refunded under certain conditions.
- NET, It means that the listed price is without VAT, so when importing the car you will have to pay the Greek VAT of 24%.
- Differenzbesteuert (Margin regime): VAT cannot be separated, as the car previously belonged to a private individual, and we will not be asked to pay any VAT, but it will also not be deductible if we import it for a company to which it would be deductible under certain conditions.
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Details in the Ad Description
German dealers are required by law to declare if a car has been involved in an accident.
- Search the description for the word “Accident-free” (without accident). If this word is missing or written “"secretly"” that there are repairs (Reparierter Schaden), the vehicle definitely needs an on-site inspection by a specialist.
- Avoid cars with incomplete maintenance records (Checkbook maintained). The existence of a digital or physical service history at the official dealership is the only guarantee for actual mileage.
From Discovery to Your Doorstep: How to Proceed?;
Once you find the car that meets your needs on a platform Mobile.de and Autoscout24.de, the practical part of the procedures begins. The technical inspection in Germany should be organized, the safe transportation by motor vehicles and the filing of the Declaration of Arrival (D.A.O.).
🛠️ To see in detail how we undertake all these practical steps, bureaucracy and document control, visit the page with the Services of carforyou.gr.
Then, we will submit its official documents to the customs office, which will calculate the registration fee that applies to it, at which point the car will be ready for us to issue the Greek registration certificate.
⚖️ Learn exactly how customs clearance works, what the Retail Price Before Tax (RPT) is and how duties are calculated in our detailed guide to Classification End.
Why trust a professional to import your car?;
Buying from abroad requires knowledge of German legislation and direct communication with merchants. In carforyou.gr, we act as your own person in Germany. We check the dealer, the car, ensure the vehicle history and deliver the car to you turnkey, free from any stress.
Have you found your next car abroad?; Send us the link and we will prepare a full costing offer without any obligation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to import a car?;
On average, the process from finalizing the purchase to the arrival of the vehicle in Greece and the issuance of Greek license plates takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks. This time is affected by the transportation schedule at the given time and the preparation time of the car.
What are the risks if I buy a car from a private individual?;
Buying from a private individual carries risks, as we cannot initially evaluate it, no guarantee is provided and it does not carry any legal liability. There are many cases where cars with “great prices” are sold by private individuals but in reality it is a fraud.
Can I avoid VAT (MwSt) upon import?;
If the purchase is made by an individual, VAT is included in the price of the car and is not deductible. It is deductible only in cases where the car is purchased from a Greek company that justifies a VAT refund (companies whose object is the car). In most cases, it is more advantageous to pay VAT abroad, and this is because abroad everyone has a lower VAT than in Greece.
What are the total costs for importing a car from Germany?;
Apart from the purchase of the car, the individual costs are:
- The cost control of the car.
- The cost transportation of
- The end of classification
- Her fee carforyou, our company which undertakes the import of your car from start to finish.
Can I know from the start what the total cost of importing my car from Germany will be?;
And of course you can know it simply by contacting us either by phone at 2310248295, or via contact form us.
