Things You'll Need:
- Money
- An international drivers license
- Patience
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Step 1
Once in Chile, go to the nearest tax office (servicio de impuestos internos or sii) with your passport. If you do not speak Spanish, find someone who can help translate.
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Step 2
Fill out the form titled 'inicio de actividades' to request a RUT (pronounced 'root'), a Chilean tax ID number. You will be given an unimportant looking paper that is your temporary RUT. You need this to buy real property.
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Step 3
You can now look for a car. Dealerships, used car lots, the internet and the Sunday classifieds are a good place to look for a car.
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Step 4
When you find a car you like, go to the 'registro civil' to run a check on the plate number. Specifically you need to ask for a 'certificado de anotaciones'. If it says 'sin anotaciones' it has never been wrecked or stolen.
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Step 5
Buy the car. The dealer will help you through all the details. The steps are the same for buying from a private individual, but must be done at a notary.
You will need to:
1) sign a purchase agreement on a set price (compraventa)
2) transfer the title to your name and RUT number
3) pay a 5% tax on the total cost of the vehicle.
4) get a temporary ownership document from the Registro Civil. Your new title 'padron' will be mailed to whatever address you list.
5) get the old title 'padron', obligatory insurance 'SOAP', and 'revision tecnica' from the previous owner. -
Step 6
Play it safe by getting third party full coverage insurance at any large insurance agency in Chile.
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Step 7
If you are in Santiago you need a TAG to pay the local tolls. The only one that gives a TAG to foriegners that don't have a residence visa is Vespucio Norte.
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Step 8
As soon as you get your permament title, 'padron', you can take your car out of Chile. You only need to buy an inexpensive international liability insurance that is sold at all big stores (Falabella, Paris, etc).
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Step 9
Enjoy the freedom of driving in one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the Americas.
Comments
nickvh said
on 10/27/2009 Woops. Had text space issues so please email me here for more details and pics, nickvanhoppe@hotmail.com
nickvh said
on 10/27/2009 Van for sale in Chile.
Motor Home / Casa
Van Hyundai H1
Year: 2006
100, 000 Kilometers Approximately
White
5 Speed Manual
Diesel
3 Seats
Stereo
Alarm (with Spare Remotes)
Central Locking
Kill Switch
Power Steering
4 Near New Tires
Regular Servicing Including: New Breaks, New Cam Belt at 90,000 Kilometers, New Filter, Oil Changes, & General TLC (Tender Loving Care)
$6,000,000.00 Chilean Pesos PLUS FREE TREASURE
We have comfortably driven this van over all of Chile & a significant amount of Argentina.
It reliably & easily handles all terrain & conditions - from the driest desert in the world, to high altitude & snow storms.
We did our homework taking tremendous care & researched our selection of this vehicle & setting it up, analysing - safety, costs, comfort & of course have maximised the fun factor.
Having the engine at the front of the vehicle is a serious safety consideration - ...
nickvh said
on 8/22/2009 Great article thanks. I have also posted some information on "How to buy a car in Chile" for any one else to see. Click on this link
http://www.ehow.com/how_5327492_buy-car-chile-south-america.html
moutonnoir said
on 8/3/2009 thank you for those clear informations. DO you know if the same rules apply to a car bought in a free tax zone like Iquique ? will I be able to travel to other south america countries with the papers ?
merken said
on 7/8/2009 Nicely done with all the details... clearly stated with the (often cumbersome) bureaucratic steps involved. Also, I didn't know that only Vespucio Norte only gives the TAG to foreigners.... However, Step 3 -- often the most grueling, difficult, and time-consuming task in getting a car -- is oddly glossed over real quickly here... I assume you emphasized the bureaucratic steps.. important as well.