How to Buy a Car in Europe

Driving in Europe can give you the freedom to travel to hidden gems

If you're planning a long trip to Europe and want to be able to drive, buying a car is often more economical than renting. Having a car at hand means being able to travel to and explore places not served by trains, buses or ferries, and allows you to travel at your own pace. At the end of your trip, you can have the car shipped home, or sell it before leaving the continent. A number of companies, including all of the large auto makers in Europe, offer programs for buying in Europe and shipping the car at the end of your trip.

Instructions

Buying New Cars in Europe through European Delivery Programs

1. Obtain an international driver's license. These are available from AAA and must be accompanied by your U.S. driver's license when you are driving in Europe.

2. 

   Contact a stateside dealership and inquire about its programs for buying on site and shipping later. Mercedes, for example, allows you to pay for the car in the United States, pick up a new car at its factory near Stuttgart and drop it off at one of several shipping locations. Other brands with this program include Audi and Porsche.

3. Make arrangements with your local dealership. You'll make payment and insurance arrangements in the United States and will be given papers to take to the factory.

4. Complete the necessary paperwork for buying a new car and contact the factory about when you'll pick it up and when and where you'll drop it off for shipping. Present all of your paperwork at the factory to take possession.

5. Take your vacation. If you have any problems with your car while in Europe, contact the factory directly.

6. Drop off your car at the prearranged shipping location. The car will be delivered to your local dealership within a few weeks.

Buying New or Used Cars in Europe

1. Obtain an international driver's license. These are available from AAA and must be accompanied by your U.S. driver's license when you are driving in Europe.

2. 

   Look in the local newspapers and local English-language papers once you've arrived in Europe to buy a car. If you see one you like, contact the owner or dealer for a test drive. There are many brands of cars that are common in Europe that are not sold in the US. In general, you will find that cars with automatic transmissions are less common than in the US, that many European cars are smaller than average US sedans, and that European cars get better gas mileage than their American counterparts. Always drive a car before you buy it to make sure that it is comfortable for you.

3. Take the car to a mechanic for an inspection if the car is owned by an individual. The owner of the car may have a mechanic to recommend, but you can also find mechanics online or by asking colleagues or friends who live in the area. You can also take cars to dealerships for pre-sale inspections. When the car has been inspected, negotiate a final price with the owner. This works in Europe just the same way it does in the US, with each of you stating a fair price until you've come to an agreement.

4. If you will be able to pay in cash, call your bank and tell them that you'll be making a large withdrawal of cash to pay for the car. This way, your account won't be flagged for theft or other irregularities. If you are buying from a dealership and the dealership takes credit cards, you may want to pay by that method instead. If you do, contact your credit card company prior to the sale and notify them of the upcoming charges so they don't flag your account for theft or fraud.

   If you will need to arrange for financing, ask your bank if it has overseas branches for financing a car. Many banks, such as Citibank, have branches all over the world to help globe-trotting account holders. If your bank does not have overseas branches, you will need to establish an account at a bank that does. Discuss the possibility if your financing a car while in Europe with the bank and ask them to make a note of it on your account so European branches will see that you're approved for a car loan.

5. Contact your insurance company by telephone and arrange for coverage for your new car.

6. 

   Enjoy your vacation. At the end of your trip, if you don't want to ship the car home, place an ad in the local papers or take the car to a dealership to sell it before you leave. If you want to ship it home, there are a number of shippers (one is listed below in the links) who will ship your car home for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Have your international driver's license with you at all times when driving in Europe. Keep track of your paperwork.

Resources

• Rick Steves on driving in Europe
• A car shipping service
• Mercedes Benz European Delivery Program