Learn What Makes a Used Vehicle Suitable for International Buyers

A used vehicle becomes suitable for international buyers when it is:

• Made by a reliable manufacturer
• Cost-effective
• Capable of performing brilliantly
• Catering to all import regulations

Many international buyers prefer to buy second-hand cars to save money, as buying a new car is costly, considering the market conditions. It has become a norm for foreign buyers to buy Chinese second-hand cars of various models from the Chinese online car market. They buy used cars manufactured by leading companies out of trust and reliability.

Are you open to buying second-hand cars from abroad? The prospect is truly mind-boggling, enabling more international auto dealerships to jump on the bandwagon. In this article, you’ll find the factors that make a second-hand car suitable for international customers.

What Factors Do International Buyers Take into Consideration?

There are several factors to consider. Let’s take a look at the things that an international buyer might consider when buying used cars from abroad.

Vehicle Condition

It is very important for both sellers and buyers to check the vehicle's condition before making a deal. The car must be mechanically sound. To check the condition of the second-hand vehicle, a third-party inspection is required. Here are other things buyers must focus on:

Appropriate Maintenance History

Since not every second-hand car distributor overseas is transparent, buyers must look for the car’s maintenance history. Moreover, it is a must for them to ask for the service records and the inspection reports, which would guarantee the car’s soundness. For example, many third-party car inspection companies in China conduct Periodical Vehicle Inspections (PVI) for second-hand cars to ensure the cars are safe to be sold internationally.

Reputation Reliability

Global customers only prefer to buy used cars made by reputable automakers because of the trust factor. In China, companies like BYD, Geely, and Toyota are top brands that sell a huge number of second-hand cars every year. If an international buyer is looking at the Chinese used car market online, they will get a huge number of reputable companies whose cars are listed there.

Let’s look at the table to understand which type of car - whether used EVs, petrol, or diesel cars - is in demand:

Table: Cars in Demand in Different Places

Availability of Spare Parts and Serviceability

Before buying used cars from abroad, buyers must check the availability of spare parts and the serviceability of that particular car model in the destination country. A study by the European Commission shows that around 41% of used car buyers have experienced at least one problem within a month of purchasing a second-hand car. Hence, buyers must assess whether it is easy to find the spare parts for the vehicle in case of an emergency.

Ensure the Car Brand is Popular in the Destination Country

International buyers need to check whether the maker of their preferred car has its service centre in their country. For example, one of the most prominent Chinese car brands, BYD, has established multiple showrooms and service centres in different parts of the world.

Cost-effectiveness

From electric vehicles to gasoline-powered passenger cars, people are increasingly turning to used cars for their high cost-effectiveness. Here is why foreign customers value the cost-effectiveness of a second-hand car:

Slower Depreciation

The used cars already experience slower depreciation, which makes them easier to buy for foreign customers. For instance, if a buyer prefers to buy a Chinese second-hand car at a reduced price, the depreciation on that car will be even slower.

Low Cost of Insurance and Registration

For most second-hand cars, the insurance and registration sum is lower than contrast of a newer car model. To reduce future hassles, buyers can consider taking a comprehensive insurance plan that covers every third-party responsibility and user damage.

Shipping and Transportation Considerations

Foreign buyers need to focus on carefully selecting the shipping partner for the safe import of the vehicle from the source country. Cars are shipped in containers on special carriers, where these cars are docked in the ports. After the customs duties are completed, the car is free to be delivered to its owner.

Size and Weight of Container

Since the container’s size matters heavily in the cost of shipping, people often turn to RoRo (Roll on/Roll off) shipping, which is an affordable and rapid way of shipping cars abroad. The weight and size of the entire product are subject to being levied once they arrive at the ports of the destination countries.

Ease of Shipping from the Location

Customers also have to focus on ease of shipping, as from the ports, the cars are distributed directly to the customers. If the shipping location is near the port, it will be a greater advantage for the customers.

Compliance with Import Regulations

Every country has its legalities when it comes to importing a second-hand car from abroad. Every imported used car needs to comply with that country’s import guidelines, which ensures transparent registration of the foreign cars.

Emission Standards

Since there is an enhanced concern for the environment, the countries have a predetermined emission standard. Therefore, the international buyers need to conduct extensive research on their country’s emission regulations. Moreover, they would also need to check whether their preferred car model abides by the emission standard. Above 95% of passenger cars sold in China adhere to the Chinese “National Emission Standards VI B”. That means most of the Chinese second-hand cars follow the Chinese standards of emission. The situation is even better with used Used EVs!

Custom Duties and Taxation

Before buying second-hand cars, buyers must focus on the customs duties as they impact the final price of the car. The tax on second-hand cars depends on different factors like the valuation of the car, the freight cost, and the insurance cost.

Final Words

When importing a second-hand car, buyers want to capitalize on both resources and investments. International auto dealerships consider buying second-hand cars made by reliable brands. The reduced depreciation and low-cost insurance also attract them to buy used cars. Among Asian countries like South Korea and Japan, Chinese second-hand cars are also bought by global customers, and their performances are highly appreciated by them.

Buy Second-hand Imported Cars and Save Money!

So, are you looking to purchase a used car? Search online for a trusted used car distributor abroad and make a choice of your preference! Used cars will not only save you money but also will be a plausible option for long-term use.