We Have Already Discussed How Buying a Car Abroad Can Offer Interesting Advantages, Such as Greater Availability and Variety of Models, as Well as Competitive Prices. Before Making This Choice, However, It Is Important to Understand Well How the Warranty on Imported Cars Works, in Order to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises. Let’s Look Together at What European Regulations Provide and What Different Situations Can Occur.
European Car Warranty: Difference Between Legal and Commercial
First of All, It Is Important to Distinguish Between Legal Warranty and Commercial Warranty.
| Legal Warranty | Mandatory by Law Throughout the EU (Directive 99/44/EC). Covers Conformity Defects. Valid for 2 Years for New Goods and 1 Year for Used Ones. |
| Commercial Warranty | Offered by the Manufacturer, with Variable Duration and Conditions. Usually Covers Specific Vehicle Components. Valid Throughout the EU, Even if the Car Is Imported. |
The Legal Warranty Is a Right Provided by EU Directive 99/44/EC, Which Has Been Implemented by All Member States. This Warranty Obliges the Seller to Be Responsible for Any Conformity Defects of the Sold Item. The Minimum Duration of the Legal Warranty Is Two Years for New Goods, While for Used Ones It Can Be Reduced to One Year.
The Commercial Warranty Is, Instead, Offered by the Manufacturer and Can Vary in Terms of Duration and Conditions. It Often Covers Specific Vehicle Components and Can Last Longer Than the Period Covered by the Legal Warranty. The Commercial Warranty Also Has European Validity, So It Is Valid Even if You Buy a Car Imported from a Country Different from Your Own.
Warranty on Car Purchases Abroad: Different Scenarios
Depending on the Type of Purchase, Therefore, the Warranty on Imported Cars Can Vary. Let’s Look at the Different Scenarios.
Purchase of Imported Cars Under Warranty
If You Choose to Buy a Vehicle That Is Still Under the Manufacturer’s Commercial Warranty, You Can Be Quite Confident, as the Coverage Is Also Valid in Italy. This Means You Can Visit Any Authorized Dealership of the Brand in Italy for Any Interventions Covered by the Manufacturer’s Remaining Warranty.
Purchase of Imported Cars Without Warranty
However, if You Choose to Buy a Vehicle No Longer Covered by Warranty, You Have Two Options:
- Purchase the Vehicle Independently: If You Buy the Car Directly from a German or Other European Dealer, Especially if It’s an Official Brand Dealer, the Purchase Might Include a Warranty. But We Suggest You Carefully Verify Its Validity in Italy Before Proceeding with the Purchase.
- Purchase the Vehicle Through an Intermediary Like Importami Auto: If You Buy the Car Through Us, We Offer the Option to Add a Warranty to Cover Any Potential Issues. This Is an Optional Warranty That Has an Additional Cost, Which You Can Choose to Subscribe to or Not.
Purchase from a Multi-Brand Dealer
The Issue of Warranty for a Car on Sale at a Foreign Multi-Brand Dealer Is a Bit More Complex. In This Case, It Is Essential to Verify if the Warranty Offered by the Seller Is Also Valid in Italy, in Which Workshops It Can Be Used, and What Coverage Is Provided. Even in This Case, However, by Contacting Importami Auto, You Can Avoid Verifying All This Information Because We Will Take Care of It for You.
Imported Car Warranty: Verify Before Purchase
Therefore, before proceeding with the purchase of a car abroad, it is important to carefully evaluate the warranty issue, thoroughly checking the conditions provided and their validity in Italian territory, to avoid facing unexpected expenses in case of problems.
Contact us for complete support: we will help you verify the warranty coverage and, if necessary, add an extra one to protect your new car.