Buying a car in Germany or a car already registered in Poland: What is more profitable?

The choice between buying a car in Germany and then importing and registering it in Poland or purchasing a car that has already been cleared and registered in Poland depends on many factors: the cost, technical condition of the car, desired characteristics, and time for registration. In this article, we will compare both options, consider their advantages and disadvantages, and help you determine which is more profitable in your situation.

Buying a car in Germany

Buying a car in Germany is a popular choice due to the high quality of cars that are used on German roads. Cars in Germany usually have less wear and tear and a well-documented service history.

Advantages:

1. Wide selection: Germany has a huge number of cars available on platforms such as Mobile.de or Autoscout24.de. You can find a car with the right features, mileage, and price.
2. Lower prices: In most cases, car prices in Germany are lower than in Poland, especially when it comes to premium cars or new models.
3. Transparency of documents: German law requires sellers to provide a complete history of the car, including the service book, inspection reports, etc.

Disadvantages:

1. Additional costs: You should add to the cost of the car:
   • Transportation (1000-2000 PLN if you use a carriage).
   • Excise tax (3.1% for engines up to 2000 cc and 18.7% for over 2000 cc).
   • Technical inspection in Poland (~100 PLN).
   • Customs duties and translation of documents (~100-200 PLN).
   • Registration (~160-600 PLN).
2. Time for registration: It may take several weeks to complete all the documents.
3. Risk of hidden defects: Without a thorough inspection, you may face unexpected problems after the purchase.

Buying a customs-cleared and registered car in Poland

Buying a car that has already passed all the formalities and is registered in Poland greatly simplifies the purchase process.

Advantages:

1. Saving time: You get a car that is already registered and you can start using it immediately after purchase.
2. Transparent price: All customs clearance and registration costs are already included in the price of the car.
3. Possibility of inspection: You can test drive and check the car at local diagnostic stations without spending money on transportation.
4. Lower risk: The seller (especially if it’s a car dealership) usually provides some kind of warranty for the car.

Disadvantages:

1. Higher prices: In Poland, cars that have already been customs cleared and registered usually cost more. The cost of intermediary services, transportation, excise duty and registration is often passed on to the final price of the car.
2. Less choice: The used car market in Poland is smaller than in Germany.

Comparison of costs

To illustrate, here is an example of buying the same car with a 1.6 liter engine in Germany and Poland.

Purchase in Germany:

• Car price: 20,000 PLN.
• Excise tax (3.1%): PLN 620.
• Transportation: PLN 1500.
• Translation of documents: PLN 100.
• Technical inspection and registration: 260 PLN.
• Total cost: 22 480 PLN.

Purchase in Poland:

• Car price: PLN 23,500 (including customs clearance and registration).

In this example, a car bought in Poland is 1020 PLN more expensive, but you save time and avoid complicated procedures.

What is more profitable in your case?

Buying in Germany is suitable if:

• You want to find a car with specific characteristics that are difficult to find in Poland.
• You are ready to spend time on paperwork and customs clearance.
• You plan to buy a premium car, where the savings can be significant.

Buying in Poland is suitable if:

• You want to get a car for use quickly.
• You do not want to deal with formalities and transportation of the car.
• You are looking for a budget option, even if the price is slightly higher.

What to choose?

Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. If you want to save money and are ready to handle the importation of the car yourself, buying in Germany can be a profitable choice. However, if convenience and speed are important to you, it is better to buy a car that has already been cleared and registered in Poland.

It is important to consider your needs, budget, and time available for paperwork to make the best choice.