Buying a Car in Germany Guide 2024
Buying a car in Germany, like any other country, comes with some specific laws and conditions. Considering that many immigrants seek to buy a car in Germany, we want to discuss this topic in detail in this article.
Generally, buying a car in Germany can be done in two ways: new or used, each with its own methods and procedures. Typically, there are websites in Germany where you can search for a used car to buy in Germany. If you're not interested in using these sites, you can visit car dealerships in Germany. Although fluency in German is essential for living in Germany, don't worry. Usually, at car dealerships, a translator or someone proficient in English can be found to better communicate with customers. In the following article, we will provide more information about buying a car in Germany; so if you're interested in this topic, stay with us until the end.
Buying a Car in Germany for Non-Germans
Whether you have recently immigrated to Germany or have obtained citizenship, you can still purchase a car in Germany. To buy a car in Germany, all you need is a valid identification card and sufficient funds for purchasing the car, paying for insurance, registration, and taxes, allowing you to become a car owner in the country. There are no specific restrictions or limitations for non-Germans buying cars in Germany, and applicants can purchase their desired new or used cars through cash payment, installment plans, or leasing.
It's worth noting that car buyers must register their permanent address in Germany, which might pose a slight challenge for Iranians. However, during urgent document issuance, you can purchase your desired car without declaring an address.
Another important point to consider is that an Iranian driver's license is not accepted in Germany. To drive in this country, you need to attend German driving guidance and courses and obtain a German driver's license. This is due to the differences in driving regulations between Germany and Iran. Therefore, if you intend to buy a car in Germany, make sure to plan accordingly to obtain the necessary driver's license.
Read more: Buying a house in Germany
Buying a New Car in Germany: Conditions and Options Explained
When purchasing a new car in Germany, there are specific conditions and payment options to consider. Cash payment is one option where the buyer pays the full amount upfront to the manufacturer or car dealership. Another method is financing through bank loans, known as 'Finanzierung,' where a portion of the money is provided upfront, and the rest is paid back over time with zero or low interest rates. Additionally, leasing, or 'Leasing,' is a popular option, resembling car rental, where the lessee pays a predetermined amount monthly for a specified period, after which the car is returned. Learn about these options and choose the best fit for your car purchase in Germany.
Buying a Used Car in Germany
There are many individuals who intend to buy a car in Germany, but because they don't have enough money to purchase a new car, they are forced to buy a used or second-hand car. Buying a used car in Germany also has some specific conditions, similar to buying a new car. It is worth noting that in Germany, like worldwide, buying and selling cars is done both through individuals and companies. Buying a car in Germany from private individuals is a risky business and can lead to future problems for individuals who have recently immigrated to Germany and are not very familiar with the country and its laws. For this reason, we recommend that if you intend to buy a used car in Germany, you should definitely go through companies to find out about any potential car problems and purchase a professionally inspected car. When buying a car in Germany, you must ensure that all documents of the car are complete, correct, and free of problems, including insurance, technical inspection, registration documents, and the real owner, and if necessary, seek help from a lawyer or legal advisor in this regard.
Is Buying a Car in Germany Worth It?
You might be wondering if buying a car in Germany is challenging, especially considering the excellent and efficient public transportation system in the country. So, is buying a car in Germany even necessary? And is it really worth it?
The answer to these questions is yes. Buying a car in Germany is not only feasible compared to other European countries but also more cost-effective. This means you can compare Germany with other high-quality countries for migration purposes. It's undoubtedly true that buying a car in Germany is more cost-effective than purchasing one in countries like England, Spain, and others.
However, when it comes to whether buying a car in Germany is better than using the public transportation system, we can't provide a definitive answer. This is because Germany's public transportation system is one of the best and highest quality in the world, with low costs for individuals and widespread access to all areas. Citizens can travel anywhere they want with minimal expense. Whether you choose to use public transportation in Germany or move around with your personal car is entirely a personal and subjective matter, and we can't offer an opinion on this.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About German Tax
Warranty Conditions for Purchasing a Car in Germany
Now that we are familiar with the purchasing conditions for cars in Germany, it's also beneficial to understand the warranty conditions for buying a car in Germany.
Some companies in Germany determine the warranty for cars based on the car's mileage. Consequently, if you exceed the specified mileage, whether you have a warranty or not won't make a difference. To better understand this matter, consider a company that specifies the car's warranty up to 100,000 kilometers. Until the car reaches this mileage, all repair costs will be covered by the warranty. However, if a car has a mileage exceeding this, for example, 200,000 kilometers, the situation changes, and the warranty company may only cover 20 to 30 percent of the repair costs, or some companies may not cover any expenses at all. For this reason, we strongly recommend asking the warranty company how many kilometers they cover and afterward, what percentage of the costs they will bear.
Furthermore, in Germany, some companies only determine the warranty for certain parts and components of the car. This is also one of the reasons for the difference in prices for car warranties in Germany. For example, a company may only cover repairs related to the engine and gearbox and may not pay for damages or breakages to other components such as the windshield, bumper, lights, etc., in the event of an accident. Therefore, we recommend getting informed about the coverage of different parts of the car by the warranty company before purchasing a car warranty in Germany.
Best Car Buying Websites in Germany
In Germany, you can find a variety of websites and platforms for buying cars. Below, we introduce some of the most important and popular ones to you:
2. Autoscout24.com
3. 12gebrauchtwagen.de
4. suche.pkw.de
Please note that the information provided in this article about buying cars in Germany is based on the experiences of some Iranians residing in Germany. If you intend to buy a car in Germany, whether new or used, be sure to seek guidance from relevant experts and even make your car purchase under their supervision to avoid future issues. Laws vary from country to country, and as such, you may encounter some challenges in this regard.
If you have any experience in buying cars in Germany or know any websites for buying cars in this country, be sure to leave a comment below this article so that other interested individuals looking to buy cars in Germany can benefit from your insights.
