Buying a car in Germany
posted by Karl Maizier in Germany forum
One additional thing: Car prices in Germany can vary a lot between different dealers - so it's worth to compare. Found this info which might help you:
New cars. There are plenty of sources to help you decide what car you wish to buy, including, among others, television commercials, newspapers and auto magazines. You can usually find someone at the showroom who speaks English, and German law generally prohibits the freewheeling bargaining that is so common in other countries. So, in theory, what you see on the sticker is what you should have to pay for the car.
There are still some ways of getting the price down. Dealers sometimes give discounts for payment in cash. Some dealers register cars for a day and then immediately deregister them. This turns them into "used cars", giving flexibility in pricing. There is also room for negotiation when it comes to the "extras"; sunroof, air conditioning, sound system and other accessories. Another way to lower the cost of a new car is to make sure the dealer gives you a very good price for your trade-in.
If you don't pay cash for a new car (and not many people do) then you will have to finance it. Many manufacturers offer internal finance programs, usually at a slightly better interest rate than a bank. But it pays to check out both possibilities. Interest rates may be better with the manufacturer but the loan may have to be paid back in three years, and you probably can't expect financing for a car that is discounted in any way. Depending on the price, financing can range from 24 to 60 months. The best interest rates are offered when a 20 percent down payment is made.
Used Cars can be a good value if you shop carefully. If you buy a used car through a dealer you can normally expect some sort of limited guarantee. Some banks and even some dealers may finance used cars, but this is not as easy as with a new cars. Factors such as mileage, age and value are involved.
Good deals can be found if you check into buying a Jahreswagen or a demo model (Vorführwagen). Employees of car manufacturers are allowed to buy cars at a discount and can resell them after keeping them a year (hence the term Jahreswagen.) Normally these cars are in quite good condition and a good value for the money. A Vorführwagen has usually been displayed in the showroom and used for test drives. It's usually in good condition and has low mileage.
If you're adventurous and want to buy a used car from a private owner, the newspapers are full of ads. The key things to look for in the ads are mileage, date of the next inspection (TÜV), date of first registration (Erstezulassung or EZ), model year, type of catalytic converter and number of owners. It is wise to observe the normal precautions when buying a used car privately. In general, though, Germans take good care of their cars and you may find what you want for a good price. It is always good to get a contract when you buy a car. There are boilerplate contracts available.
When you buy a car from a dealer, whether new or used, you can expect help in the registration and insurance areas. If you buy a car privately you will have to do these things yourself. You'll need proof of insurance and proof of ownership of the car (Kfz-Brief). You'll have to take these to the local motor vehicle department (Kfz-Zulassungstelle), and if everything is in order you'll be given your license plates.
Buying a car Online is becoming more and more popular - as well as easier. The advantages of doing this are obvious. You don't have to go to a dealership, the selection is vast and it's possible to search for a car according to a large number of different criteria. The website http://eng.autoscout24.com/index.asp?language=ger offers the online user the opportunity to search for cars in Germany in English.