Import a car yourself or turnkey?
In short
You can buy and import a car from the EU yourself, leave the whole process to us on a turnkey basis or buy a vehicle in Croatia. Which option is better depends on the vehicle, your budget and the time you have - the differences are set out below in one place.
The comparison in one place
| Yourself from the EU | Turnkey (S-MOTO TEAM) | Buying in Croatia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice of vehicles | The entire EU market | The entire EU market | The local offer |
| VIN check of the vehicle | You arrange it yourself | We do it, before payment | Depends on the seller |
| Seller check | Yourself, often in a foreign language | We work only with verified dealerships | The seller is in Croatia |
| Negotiation | Yourself, in German or English | We handle it, in your interest | Yourself |
| Payment | Yourself, abroad | Only after the check and a signed contract | In Croatia |
| Transport | Yourself - driving on the road or a carrier | Insured transporter | Not needed |
| Homologation, PPMV and paperwork | Yourself: customs, homologation, inspection | We do it | Usually already done |
| Travelling abroad | Usually yes | No | No |
| When you know the total cost | You calculate it yourself, PPMV often only after purchase | Before purchase | Immediately, from the vehicle price |
When importing yourself pays off
Importing yourself makes sense if you have done it before, have time for communication with the seller and the paperwork, and do not mind travelling abroad. You then also take on the risk yourself - from checking the vehicle and the seller to calculating PPMV and meeting the customs deadlines.
When turnkey pays off
Turnkey pays off most with newer, higher-value vehicles, when buying on lease or in a company name and when you do not have time to manage the process. We check the vehicle and the seller before payment, you know the total cost up to registration before buying, and you collect the vehicle ready for registration.
When buying in Croatia is better
Buying in Croatia is better when the local offer has exactly the vehicle you are looking for, with the equipment and condition you want, or when you need the vehicle straight away. It is also cheaper when the total price of the same vehicle in Croatia is the same as or lower than the price of the vehicle from the EU including PPMV, transport and paperwork - which is why we always compare the total cost, not just the listing price.
Frequently asked questions
Does it pay off to import a car yourself?
It can pay off if you have experience, time and knowledge of the paperwork. With newer, higher-value vehicles, a mistake in checking the vehicle or calculating PPMV can be expensive. That is why many buyers choose a turnkey import.
What is the difference between buying in Croatia and importing to order?
When buying in Croatia you choose from the local offer and the vehicle is usually already registered. When importing to order you choose from the entire EU market, and we handle the check, purchase, transport and paperwork up to registration.
Can I find the vehicle myself and leave the rest to you?
Yes. Send the vehicle link from Mobile.de, AutoScout24 or another platform - we will check the vehicle and the dealership and tell you the total cost up to registration.
Found a car?
Send the link and we will check the vehicle, the dealership and the total cost up to registration.