In an increasingly competitive automotive market, buying a car abroad is becoming an increasingly popular choice among Italian drivers. According to data from UNRAE (the national union of foreign motor vehicle representatives), in 2023, imports of foreign cars into Italy from abroad increased by 6.6%, in particular from Germany, Belgium and Spain. But is buying cars abroad really worth it? The answer is yes, and in this article we will find out why.
Why it is better to buy cars abroad
Buying a car is not an everyday thing and since it is a rather large expense, it is necessary to make the necessary assessments before proceeding with the purchase. If once the Italian roads were dominated by nationally produced vehicles, today the scenario has radically changed. The market has globalized, the players have increased and Italians have changed their habits, becoming more open to the possibility of buying cars abroad. This transformation has led many consumers to look beyond national borders, discovering that buying cars abroad is convenient in many respects. Based on our experience as consultants for importing cars, the main advantages are above all 5:
- Wider assortment
- Exclusive models
- Vehicles in good condition
- Generally better setups
- Lower prices
Let’s go into them one at a time.
Wider assortment
One of the main advantages of buying cars from abroad is the possibility of choosing from a much larger “catalog” of vehicles. For example, in a country like Germany, car registrations are almost double those in Italy every year. Just take a look at the data for 2024: in Germany, more than 2.5 million cars were registered, while in Italy they did not reach one and a half million. This obviously translates into a larger used market and a greater possibility of finding the car you are looking for.
Exclusive models
A direct consequence of being able to access a wider and more varied assortment of cars is, therefore, also the possibility of being able to find particular models, perhaps, not easily found in Italy. This is a fundamental aspect for foreign used car enthusiasts. Just as happened, for example, to our customer Alessio who availed himself of our help to be able to purchase a Jeep Rubicon from Germany, with all the features he was looking for. A car very difficult to find in Italy with that particular trim.
Vehicles in good condition
But it is also convenient to buy used cars abroad for another reason. In many European countries, especially those in the North, the culture of maintenance is more deeply rooted, therefore, it is possible to find used cars in good condition. In Germany, for example, there is the good habit of carrying out maintenance coupons in a very precise and regular manner. Therefore, you can find cars even with many kilometers but regularly subjected to all maintenance interventions and which, consequently, have nothing to envy to many Italian cars with a decidedly lower number of kilometers.
Generally better setups
Another reason why buying a car abroad is convenient is the possibility of finding vehicles with generally richer equipment compared to their Italian equivalents. In Northern European countries, where purchasing power is greater than in Italy, cars – especially those in the Premium segment – are often sold with full optional packages or with equipment and finishes that in our country would be considered too expensive and, therefore, too niche.
Lower prices
Finally, another aspect that can make you lean towards buying a car abroad is the economic one. On average, in fact, by buying a car imported from Europe you can save about 10/15 percent compared to the cost of the same car in Italy. This difference in price depends largely on the characteristics of the car market of each individual country. In Germany, for example, the majority of vehicles in circulation are in the medium-high range (unlike in our country where, instead, mostly medium-low range vehicles circulate): it is normal, therefore, that the offer of used cars belonging to this segment is wider and, consequently, the prices are lower.
Therefore, the more you aim for prestigious cars, the more significant the savings can be compared to what is available on the Italian market.
Is it worth buying a car abroad? Yes, especially with us
As we have seen, therefore, there are several advantages for which buying cars abroad is convenient. However, the various steps that this choice involves could hold back some buyers. This is where the value of relying on a company specialized in importing vehicles from abroad such as Importami Auto comes into play. In fact, by contacting us you can count on our support for choosing the vehicle, checking the conditions, transport, registration and handling the bureaucratic procedures required by law.
With our advice, therefore, purchasing a car abroad will be a beneficial and absolutely stress-free experience for you.