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sadexpat

Jul 24, 2011, 3:54 PM

Post #1 of 9 (1773 views)

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What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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My wife and I were moving to Mexico when she became very ill. We're unable to do the move because of ongoing health needs, but we still have a car there at our house. It was attached to her FM3, which expired while she was in the hospital. We have been unable to get it renewed in the states because she is too ill to travel and we're in a tiny town with no Mexican embassy.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I can't leave at this point even to fly down and drive it back. It's sitting in a friend's storage building with an expired US tag and attached to an expired FM3.

Ideas? thoughts? I don't know if it is possible to sell it to another expat? The car has not been nationalized. It's a 2003 sedan (low miles, great condition).

Thanks for any help. Sam.

Another thought... I don't think I could even drive it out of the country since it's registered in her name?

(This post was edited by sadexpat on Jul 24, 2011, 5:25 PM)

YucaLandia

Jul 24, 2011, 6:55 PM

Post #2 of 9 (1724 views)

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Re: [sadexpat] What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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I sent you a PM about the Safe Return program. http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/...culos/141_10027.html Under this program, you might be able to have someone else drive your car out of Mexico, and either take it back to your home or sell it at the border in the US?
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E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

Rolly

Jul 24, 2011, 7:41 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1702 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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Thanks Steve. I also was going to suggest Safe Return.

Sam, you can drive the car out with the Safe Return even though the car is in her name.
Carry a letter from her giving you permission. It is not going to be a problem.

Rolly Pirate

(This post was edited by Rolly on Jul 24, 2011, 7:42 PM)

bournemouth

Jul 24, 2011, 7:58 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1691 views)

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Re: [Rolly] What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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Rolly - Steve mentioned that he cannot leave his wife to come to Mexico - he needs a good friend, a very good friend, to drive it out for him, or depending on where the vehicle is, there may be a driver who can, legally, do it for him.

sadexpat

Jul 24, 2011, 8:08 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1686 views)

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Re: [sadexpat] What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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Well you've all been a great help. I had pretty much given up and figured we'd have to abandon it. It's in Yucatan right now. After she's more stable, I might be able to fly down, maybe in October or so. We've got several Mexican friends down there who would help, but I don't think they can drive a US tagged car.

So all is not lost. Or at least the car may not be lost. Thank you for the assist and the good info. Sam.

sadexpat

Jul 24, 2011, 8:26 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1680 views)

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Re: [sadexpat] What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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Another question I should probably know, but don't: If she gets well enough to get over to an embassy to renew that FM3 (or reapply) ... would that make the car legal again?

Rolly

Jul 24, 2011, 8:29 PM

Post #7 of 9 (1679 views)

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Re: [sadexpat] What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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Sorry, Sam, renewal can only be done in México, not in the USA.

Rolly Pirate

sadexpat

Jul 24, 2011, 8:37 PM

Post #8 of 9 (1670 views)

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Re: [Rolly] What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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Renewal of the FM3? Is that from the recent changes? I called the closest embassy when she was just getting sick and I'd hoped she'd be well enough to travel by the time it expired in late April. They said no problem? Too much and too overwhelming right now. I think I'll go to bed and forget this for another day. (Really)Sad Expat

YucaLandia

Jul 25, 2011, 8:11 AM

Post #9 of 9 (1616 views)

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Re: [sadexpat] What to do about a car left behind in Mexico?

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You might be able to return to Mexico, renew the old FM3 while here, and grandfather the car back in, but the expiration-date-based fines for both the expired FM3 and auto's Temporary Permit likely cost more than the value of the car. Better to either give the car to the Mexican Govt., or use the Safe Return program, and have someone shuttle the car to Belize (cheapest route) or back to the States?

Does anyone here know how long the vehicle owner is allowed to keep the car in Mexico after the permit has been issued?
Said another way, how soon must the driver start driving?

I know that the driver is given 3 to 5 days to drive out (distance from the border, to be driven? = a 3 day drive from Mexico City to Texas vs. a 5 day trip from Merida?). Does the permit holder have to start driving soon after the permit is issued = a quick trip from home in the States to get the car = very expensive airline tickets and hassles getting time off work to drop everything and drive?
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

(This post was edited by YucaLandia on Jul 25, 2011, 8:13 AM)