Why Does Everyone Import Cars from Germany?
One of the common questions we receive from our subscribers living in Portugal is why it's worth buying a car from the external market in Germany when it's possible to buy one internally in Portugal or from nearby countries like Spain, France, or even Italy. Let's explore this.
🇪🇸 Spain
- Market Saturation: Medium
- Cost of Cars: Due to high taxes, cars in Spain are more expensive than in any other EU country (except Portugal).
- Quality of Cars: Similar to Portugal, most cars have manual transmissions (up to 70% of the market). Cars can suffer from sun damage, and there are fewer cars with good specifications. Spaniards (like the Portuguese) generally don't pamper their cars.
- Risk of Mileage Tampering: High, with legal loopholes allowing it.
🇫🇷 France
- Market Saturation: Considered the second largest in Europe (after Germany), with a predominance of local brands.
- Cost of Cars: Prices are comparable to German ones, but the overall condition of cars is generally worse.
- Quality of Cars: Exterior condition often includes scratches and chips.
🇮🇹 Italy
- Market Saturation: Medium
- Cost of Cars: Prices are comparable to those in Germany and France.
- Quality of Cars: The climate affects the preservation of cars, causing color fading and paint damage. Many cars show cracks and scrapes on bumpers due to narrow streets and small city parking spaces.
🇧🇪 Belgium
- Market Saturation: Relatively small market with many cars having low mileage and good specifications.
- Cost of Cars: Comparable to German prices.
- Quality of Cars: Excellent condition due to good maintenance, careful driving, and high-quality roads. It's a good alternative if the German market doesn't have suitable options at the moment.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
- Market Saturation: Below average, but with many low-mileage, well-equipped cars.
- Quality of Cars: High, thanks to good road quality, high-quality fuel, strict technical inspections (APK), and Dutch meticulousness in car maintenance.
- Cost of Cars: Higher than in Germany and Belgium.
- Reliability: The NAP (Nationale Auto Pas) program ensures reliable mileage data.
🇵🇱🇱🇹🇧🇬 Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria
- Market Saturation: Above average, but many cars are in poor condition.
- Cost of Cars: Lower than in other EU countries.
- Quality of Cars: Low, with frequent hidden defects and incomplete histories. Many used cars are imported from Western Europe.
🇸🇪🇩🇰🇫🇮 Scandinavian Countries
- Market Saturation: Small but diverse.
- Cost of Cars: Higher relative to other EU countries.
- Quality of Cars: Generally good, with regular maintenance and careful handling. However, the climate can affect the car's body condition.
- Logistics Costs: High costs for transportation to Portugal, making it long and expensive.
Why Germany (and Sometimes Belgium)?
Germany remains the optimal source for importing quality and reliable cars. German cars are well-maintained, have a vast market selection, and offer better prices and specifications compared to neighboring countries. Belgium is also a viable option due to its high-quality cars and comparable prices to Germany, providing an excellent alternative when necessary.
