So far, the exact formula for calculating the cost of customs clearance remains unknown, but there is already information that passenger and commercial vehicles not older than 1995, which meet Euro-2 or higher standards, will be able to count on benefits.

If parliamentarians still approve bills limiting the customs clearance amount to 1000 euros, even more budget cars will enter the Ukrainian market. And along with them, repaired "buckets" that were specially prepared for sale to those who do not particularly understand cars.

In this material, we have collected several recommendations that will help protect yourself from low-quality European cars and choose a decent used car.

5 tips for choosing a used car from Europe

  1. Inspect the car in person. Neither photos nor even videos will give a complete picture of the technical condition. If you don't understand it yourself, take a friend who does. Or go with the seller to a service station and conduct a detailed diagnostic there. Ask the owner to wash the car in advance - dirt skillfully hides paint and body defects.
  2. Pay special attention to the body and wheels. They will tell about how the car was stored, how it was used, and how the owner treated it. If the ad says "garage storage," but there are rusty traces of corrosion on the wheels and the lower part of the body, they are trying to deceive you. Conversely, the presence of high-quality alloy 16-inch wheels indicates that the car was properly cared for.
  3. Ask the owner as many questions as possible about the car: year of manufacture, number of owners, frequency of technical inspections, presence and nature of major repairs. Pay attention to how confidently and without hesitation the seller answers. Long pauses or attempts to avoid answering are a reason to be wary.
  4. Check the car's documents. Remember that this should be done in the state authorities of the country where you buy the car. There may be organizational difficulties, so find out in advance how to properly arrange everything. Find official registries on the Internet and conduct a preliminary check there.
  5. Take it for a drive yourself. Try not just to drive straight, but to test the car in different modes: acceleration and braking, turns and reversing.

Choosing a used car is not an easy task. But even these 5 simple steps will help significantly reduce the risk of buying a low-quality car from Europe.

P.S. The trick with wheels has never failed. So be sure to pay attention to them.