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Linda in Morelia

Jan 28, 2010, 8:40 AM

Post #1 of 6 (4560 views)

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Buying used, Mexican-plated car in Mexico

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My husband and I are interested in buying a Mexican-plated used Honda CRV or possibly a Nissan X-Trail. We'd love some input on the following issues:

(1) People have recommended buying from a dealer instead of an individual. However, if we were to find just the right car from an individual, we might consider it. We know we need to see the factura original. One seller showed us what looked like a copy of one. Is there any way to tell if it's an original or a copy? Are the originals typically in color?

(2) What is the procedure for buying a used car from an individual? For example, how are the funds and the title exchanged? Presumably this would happen at the same time so that both parties would be protected. Is it done at some sort of government office?

(3) Do you need a Mexican driver's license to purchase a car in Mexico? Does this vary by state?

(4) How do you tell if there are any liens, loans on a used car?

(5) Is there any way to tell whether a car has been stolen or in an accident?

(6) We'd love to hear about people's experience -- good and bad -- in purchasing used cars, especially sales from individuals.

(7) In buying a car from a dealer, is there any way to evaluate whether the dealer is reputable? Or just word of mouth?

Thank you so much for your help.

Linda

Hound Dog

Jan 28, 2010, 9:36 AM

Post #2 of 6 (4531 views)

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Re: [Linda in Morelia] Buying used, Mexican-plated car in Mexico

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We know we need to see the factura original. One seller showed us what looked like a copy of one. Is there any way to tell if it's an original or a copy? Are the originals typically in color?

Actually, Linda, the original dealer facturas look a lot like copies so this potential seller may have been playing it straight with you.

We have a 2004 XTrail purchased from Baruqui in Guadalajara which is a great car and is not really for sale but we might consider selling it and purchasing a new one if you are interested. To tell you the truth we have not thought about this but I am responding to your inquiry.

We are currently in Chiapas which is quite distant from Morelia but we also live in close-by Ajijic and will be back there in May. We are so pleased with the Nissan XTrail that if we sold you the one we have we would probably buy another one here at the Nissan dealer in San Cristóbal de Las Casas.

This XTrail takes us back and forth from Lake Chapala to San Cristóbal several times a year over a one way 1,500 kilometer journey faultlessley.

If you wish to discuss this, please PM me here at Mexconnect.

(This post was edited by Hound Dog on Jan 28, 2010, 9:39 AM)

joaquinx

Jan 28, 2010, 10:00 AM

Post #3 of 6 (4506 views)

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Re: [Linda in Morelia] Buying used, Mexican-plated car in Mexico

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1. Not only do you need to see the factura but that is the title and you will need that to make the transfer to your name. The original should have a hologram on it and mine from VW is blue on white.
2. Same as from a dealer, except dealers might not have used cars for sale. You will need the fractura, and ALL copies of the Tenencia (yearly tax receipts) if the vehicle is taxable. In Veracruz, you also need the "green" cards, the state registration. Transfer is done at the Hacienda - the State Finance office.
3. Can't answer that because I have a Mexican drivers license and an FM-3.
4. If you have the fractura and the registration, it won't.
5. Stolen?? Accident - you can check for masking tape ridges on the insides of doors, hood and trunk if it needed repainting.
6. I keep thinking that forgot something, but someone will update this thread.

(This post was edited by joaquinx on Jan 28, 2010, 10:01 AM)

morgaine7

Jan 28, 2010, 11:18 AM

Post #4 of 6 (4479 views)

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Re: [Linda in Morelia] Buying used, Mexican-plated car in Mexico

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1. The Factura for my car is blue on white and has a stamp from the original dealer/importer.

2. I bought this car in 2007 through an ad in the local newspaper. Here's how it went in La Paz, BCS:

The seller and I went to tránsito together in the car. She wanted to use (and offered to pay for) a "coyote" to make the process go faster, and so we wouldn't have to stay there all day. This particular car had been imported and nationalized 10 years previously, so we needed the "Pedimento de Importación" along with the Factura. We turned all our papers over to the "coyote", and he got a tránsito officer to remove her plates. He also gave us a paper allowing us to drive the car while my plates were in process. A few hours later, we returned and collected my registration and plates. I paid her for the car in the "coyote's" office (can't remember exactly when during the process). In our area there are no titles ... the seller simply signs the car over to the buyer on the back of the Factura.

3. It may vary by state, but our laws require a Mexican DL to drive a car with Mexican plates. I could have bought the car without one but wouldn't have been legal driving it, so I got my DL at the same time. To get the car registered in my name, I needed my passport, FM3, and proof of residence (water bill). The DL required the same plus proof of blood type and other driver's licenses.

4. Don't know, but I suspect that a lender or lienholder would have the Factura. My seller had to pay her traffic fines before tránsito would take the car out of her name.

5. If stolen, all the papers would have to be forged. Don't know about accidents, but if worried I'd ask to do a mechanical or body shop inspection.

6. Everything went smoothly, and I got as much car as I paid for. ;-)

7. No idea about dealers, sorry!

Kate

Papirex

Jan 29, 2010, 12:46 PM

Post #5 of 6 (4357 views)

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Re: [Linda in Morelia] Buying used, Mexican-plated car in Mexico

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As a suggestion, you might want to look at this site: http://vehiculos.mercadolibre.com.mx/...moviles-y-camionetas this site is in Spanish, and all prices are in Mexican Pesos.

They list used cars of all makes and models in cities and areas all over The Republic. You may get a good idea of the asking prices for any model. There are usually photos of the car for sale. They usually state that the original factura is included, all accessories, and the kilometreje (mileage) the car has been driven, they usually say if the car has been recovered after a theft and if it has ever been in a wreck and repaired. If it states “unico dueno” that means one owner. To convert kilometers to miles, multiply the kilometers by .62.

A very few of these dealers will sometimes offer to deliver the car anywhere in The Republic at the buyers expense, but that would mean buying the car sight unseen, something I would never do. You may find a car that interests you where you live, or in a nearby location.

Look at the reputation for the seller to find out if most buyers have been satisfied or not. The complaints against a dealer are never explained, but you can get a good idea of how reliable they are, again, I don't recommend buying any used car sight unseen.

Good luck, Rex

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

Linda in Morelia

Jan 29, 2010, 1:01 PM

Post #6 of 6 (4350 views)

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Re: [Papirex] Buying used, Mexican-plated car in Mexico

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Thanks to you all for your suggestions. Linda