USA or Germany - where is the best place to buy a car?

Most car enthusiasts prefer to buy new cars from dealerships. However, at the same time, the number of drivers who purchase used cars and import them into Ukraine is growing. Why is this trend emerging? First, buying used cars can result in significant savings. Second, these vehicles have good technical specifications. Until recently, Germany was the leading supplier of cars to our country. Now, however, the situation has changed, and it has become more cost-effective to buy cars from the U.S.

Differences Between German and American Cars

Car enthusiasts have been engaged in lively debates for years about which cars are better. It’s worth noting that Europeans and Americans also have different views on what constitutes the ideal vehicle.

Cars assembled in the U.S. come with excellent features and receive timely maintenance. The German auto industry is synonymous with reliability and attention to even the smallest details. However, the latter have their own drawbacks. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Inaccurate mileage

Germany has good, smooth roads, which make for an enjoyable long-distance drive. Germans often travel in their own cars. However, high mileage significantly reduces a vehicle’s value. To avoid this, unscrupulous sellers resort to a trick—they roll back the odometer. Such actions are illegal within Germany, so the odometer reading is rolled back after crossing the border. In Poland, there’s even a service called “odometer restoration.” With it, you can roll back the odometer in a matter of minutes.

In the United States, the situation is different. Potential buyers can easily verify a car’s actual mileage using CARFAX. This electronic database contains information on all vehicles manufactured in the United States and Canada. The information is collected from auctions, police department databases, and service stations. You can verify the data by entering the vehicle’s VIN. Here you can find out all the details about the car you’re planning to buy: involvement in traffic accidents, number of previous owners, and technical specifications. Unfortunately, it’s practically impossible to obtain such information about cars from the German automotive industry.

The Vehicle’s Chassis, Engine, and Transmission

The presence of high-speed autobahns with smooth road surfaces helps keep a car’s suspension in good condition. However, driving long distances and at high speeds take a toll on the engine and transmission. As a result, they are often not in the best condition.

The German automotive industry manufactures cars designed for the roads in its own country. They are not adapted to the unevenness of dirt roads and potholed streets, which are a reality in Ukraine today. Therefore, even if you buy a car in good condition, after a year or two of use, it will require a major overhaul.

Body Reliability

Most cars imported from the United States are models that have been in accidents or have been flooded. To avoid unpleasant situations and unnecessary expenses, we recommend choosing reliable brokerage companies. Our experts are here to help. They’ll assist you in selecting a vehicle with minimal damage to its parts and body. In addition, they can check the model’s maintenance history. In Europe, on the other hand, it is difficult to perform such a check. Therefore, when buying a car from Germany, you take on much greater risk, which can lead to additional difficulties.

The Ukrainian automotive market makes it easy to find parts for repairs. You can find original parts for American-made models in the country.

Delivery Times and Vehicle Customs Clearance

Cars from Germany can be delivered quickly to Ukraine—this is an undeniable advantage of the European market. There are several ways to transport a car:

• loading onto a car carrier;
• driving the car yourself.

The second option is riskier. An unscrupulous carrier may damage the car, scratching the paint or bodywork. There have been cases where a car was even involved in an accident while being driven. There are also risks involved in loading onto a car carrier. The vehicle may be damaged by a flying rock or by poorly secured straps.

Cars from the U.S. are shipped by sea. They are loaded into containers. Undoubtedly, this method of transportation takes longer. However, by choosing a reliable intermediary, you reduce the risk of damage to the vehicle. The car arrives at the buyer in its original condition. The container reliably protects its contents from external factors, including moisture, precipitation, and dust.

Customs clearance for vehicles from Germany and the U.S. is similar. The cost is influenced by the car’s model year, its price, and engine displacement. Calculations are performed according to established guidelines, and the differences are not significant.

Conclusion

About 10 years ago, buying a car from Germany was more cost-effective than a similar purchase in the United States. Now, however, the situation has changed. Cars from the U.S. are becoming the clear market leaders. Several factors have contributed to this:

• reliability of construction;
• excellent condition of the vehicle’s components;
• safety;
• features.

The experts at Bex Auto will help you purchase a high-quality car from the U.S. You can select and order a model on our company’s website. You can also find out about current options through our Viber and Telegram channels.

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