The right car is one you can import, register, drive and maintain where you live, at a total cost you planned for.
Your country's rules
Many countries limit the age of imported used cars; some require right-hand drive, while cars built for China are left-hand drive; and emissions or conformity rules can exclude a model whatever its price. Our destination guides cover Algeria, France, the UK, Russia, the United States and the Middle East and Africa.
Match the car to your roads and climate
Think about the driving you do most, not the occasional trip.
City driving
Short trips and heavy traffic favour a compact car or a hybrid, or an electric car if you can charge at home. Check the turning circle, the parking camera and sensors, and how the gearbox behaves in stop-start traffic.
Long distances
For motorway and intercity driving, look at range per tank or charge, seat comfort, cruise control and road noise. With an electric car, check real-world range at speed and fast chargers along the routes you drive most.
Rough roads
On unpaved or potholed roads, ground clearance, tyre size and suspension matter more than equipment. An SUV or pickup may suit you better; ask for underbody photos and check whether the car has four-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Hot or cold climates
In heat, strong air conditioning and engine cooling matter, and batteries age faster. In cold, look for heated seats and, on electric cars, battery pre-heating, and expect less range in winter. Ask for a cold-start video.
Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric
Fuel type affects running costs, servicing and, in some countries, import rules. For electrified cars, read Used electric and hybrid cars.
Petrol
The simplest choice where fuel is affordable and chargers are scarce, and most workshops can service it. Check that the fuel grade the engine needs is sold where you live, and that its emission standard is accepted.
Diesel
Suited to high mileage and heavy loads, especially in pickups. Few passenger cars built for China use diesel. Check fuel quality where you live, the emission standard, and whether your country restricts diesel imports.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid
A hybrid saves fuel in town without needing a charger. A plug-in hybrid can also cover shorter trips on electricity if you can charge. Both need a workshop that knows hybrid systems.
Electric
Often the lowest running costs where electricity is affordable and you can charge reliably. The charging standard, battery health and local servicing all matter. A range-extender model adds a small engine that recharges the battery on longer trips.
Parts and servicing where you live
Check whether the brand has an official importer or dealers in your country, and ask whether they service privately imported cars. If not, find an independent workshop that can read the brand's diagnostics and source parts such as filters, brake parts and tyres. Electric and hybrid cars also need staff trained for high-voltage systems.
Budget for the full cost
The listed price is the FOB price in US dollars. It includes the car, inspection, export documents and customs clearance, domestic transport, port charges and service fee. CFR adds estimated ocean freight to the FOB price. CIF adds estimated cargo insurance to CFR. Import duties, taxes, destination charges, customs broker fees and registration costs are not included.
How to read a listing
- Registration date and 180-day label: the full registration date gives the car's age, and the label shows where the car stands against its 180-day date, which is calculated from that date.
- Mileage: read it together with the car's age and service history, and ask for a photo of the instrument cluster with the engine running.
- Original paint: this label means the body carries its factory paint, with no repainted panels. If the label is missing, ask which panels were repainted and why; a repaint is not automatically a problem.
- Condition notes: a short summary of wear, repairs and missing items. Ask about anything that matters to you and is not mentioned.
- Photos: until you receive photos of the actual car, a listing may show model reference photos. Ask your sales manager for photos and a walk-around video of the car itself.
- Car ID: shown next to the title. Quote it in every message, so everyone is talking about the same car.
Shortlist checklist
- Your country accepts the car's age, steering side, fuel type and emission standard.
- The full registration date is known, and you have asked which export documents the car needs.
- You have the FOB price and an estimate for ocean freight and any cargo insurance.
- The duties, taxes and charges at your end are included in your budget.
- You have seen photos and a video of the actual car, including a cold start.
- You have read the inspection findings and asked about anything unclear.
- A local workshop can service the brand and get parts.
- For an electric or hybrid car, you have checked battery health, the charging standard and the language settings.