When you’re shopping around for a new or used car, sometimes you need to look a little further afield to find the best deal or that perfect set of wheels. Buying a car overseas to be shipped back to the States is actually not as complicated as you might think.With the help of an international money transfer, you can safely and securely send funds overseas to complete your purchase. But regardless of whether you’re buying a vintage classic, a rare European marque, or even if you’ve just found a much cheaper sale price abroad, finding the most affordable way to pay for your new set of wheels is crucial.
Using a money transfer service to buy a car from overseas
If you need to send funds abroad, the first option you might consider is transferring money through your bank. But even though banks can send international wire transfers in a huge range of currencies to destinations all around the world, sending money via your bank will cost you.
Poor exchange rates and high fees are the norm when sending overseas transfers through your bank, so you can save a lot of dough if you shop around to find a specialist money transfer service. These companies offer markedly better exchange rates than the banks and in most cases also impose lower transfer fees, which can all add up to a significant saving — especially when you’re transferring a large amount.
Online money transfer providers such as OFX, and XE both offer secure and reliable online transfers, combining convenience with affordability.
In other cases, you may want to transfer the funds overseas in cash, either directly to a private seller or perhaps to a trusted friend who will buy the car on your behalf. Companies like MoneyGram, Western Union and Ria can help in these circumstances, offering fast and simple money transfers to cash pickup locations around the world.
Case study: Finding the best deal
Vintage car enthusiast Don wants to buy a historic Mini Cooper from a seller in the United Kingdom. Having agreed on a sale price of USD $10,000 with the seller for the slightly damaged car, Don begins arrangements to transfer the necessary funds. But when he sees the poor exchange rate on offer from his bank, he decides to see if he can find a better deal from a specialist transfer service — he compares two services to see which one offers the better deal.
Money transfer company 1
Money transfer company 2
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.6493 GBP
1 USD = 0.637 GBP
Transfer fee
$0
$10
Transfer method
Bank account transfer
Bank account transfer
Turnaround time
3 business days
4 business days
Amount received (in GBP)
£6,493
£6,370
As this table shows, Don can send an extra £123 by using the first transfer service and also save USD $10 in transfer fees.
What are some issues to consider when buying a car from overseas?
Make sure it meets US specifications. Check to ensure that the car you buy meets all the necessary requirements to be driven legally in the United States, including meeting any safety and emissions regulations.
Warranty. Does the car come with a manufacturer’s warranty? If so, where can you get it serviced in the States without voiding your warranty?
Shipping. Will you be taking care of the shipping arrangements or will this be taken care of by the dealer/seller? Remember to factor this expense into your purchase price calculations if needed.
How affordable is the car to run? Buying a car only represents a portion of your overall cost, so don’t forget to consider how much a car costs to run and whether or not it will fit into your budget in the future.
Who is most likely to be researching buying a car overseas?
Finder data suggests that men aged 25-34 are most likely to be researching this topic.
Response
Male (%)
Female (%)
65+
3.58%
1.97%
55-64
9.32%
2.87%
45-54
10.75%
4.12%
35-44
15.59%
7.17%
25-34
17.20%
7.89%
18-24
14.34%
5.20%
Source: Finder sample of 558 visitors using demographics data from Google Analytics
How can I compare money transfer services?
Consider the following factors when weighing up the pros and cons of different money transfer services:
Exchange rates. How high or low are the company’s exchange rates? If their rates are often better than their competitors’, do they also charge high fees?
Fees. In most cases you’ll need to pay a transfer fee so it’s worth comparing amounts, but some companies scrap their fees when you send large transfers — for example $5,000 or greater.
Available currencies. Consider the range of currencies that the transfer provider offers for transfers — does it offer transfers in the currency you want and to the destination you need?
Flexible options. Depending on your circumstances, you may wish to look for a range of transfer options that can help you save time and money. For example, you might want to schedule several payments to buy a car in instalments over time, or you may wish to place a forward contract to protect yourself against fluctuating exchange rates.
Processing times. How long will each provider take to deliver the funds you send to your beneficiary?
Customer service. How will you be able to access customer assistance if you ever experience a problem with a transfer? Is there an online help centre as well as phone and email contact options?
Pickup options. If you want to send cash and don’t need to send a large amount, there are companies available that offer transfers with cash pickups. Other providers specialise in online transfers from your bank account to your recipient’s overseas account.
Compare money transfer providers to help you buy a car in another country
Our table lets you compare the services you can use to send money abroad. Compare services on transfer speeds and fees, then click Go to site when you're ready to send.
Yes, some companies will allow you to schedule recurring payments in order to buy a car in installments. However, keep in mind that you can typically access lower fees and better exchange rates if you send the money in one large transfer rather than several smaller ones.
Yes. Your money transfer company will give you a transaction number or receipt number which can be used to monitor the progress of your transaction.
As well as your name, contact details and proof of ID, you’ll also need to provide your recipient’s name and country of residence as well as all the details of your transfer. This includes the currency and amount you are sending and where you are transferring the funds to.
Yes, there are certain countries which the vast majority of providers will not allow you to send funds. These include Iran, Russia, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, and more.
Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.
Zak Killermann was a technical publisher at Finder who specialized in currencies and investing. Zak’s expertise was in breaking down technical finance concepts into approachable, digestible nuggets of information. See full bio
Every money transfer service has different requirements for signing up and initiating a transfer. Find out what information is required to send money overseas.
Can I buy a car in another country and leave it there? After I purchased the car, what progress do I need to do? Do I have to report it to DMV? After getting a loan from the US to purchase a car in another country, what documents do I need for the bank?
Yes, you may leave the car you purchased overseas, if you prefer to. You do not have to report that to the DMV unless you’re considering to transport that to the US. If you file for a personal loan and get approved, the bank/lender doesn’t ask for proof on where you spend your money unless they require you to send them paperwork if it was a secured loan, let’s say a car loan. It is best to get in touch with your bank/lender on that matter for further clarification.
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Can I buy a car in another country and leave it there? After I purchased the car, what progress do I need to do? Do I have to report it to DMV? After getting a loan from the US to purchase a car in another country, what documents do I need for the bank?
Hi Jake,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Yes, you may leave the car you purchased overseas, if you prefer to. You do not have to report that to the DMV unless you’re considering to transport that to the US. If you file for a personal loan and get approved, the bank/lender doesn’t ask for proof on where you spend your money unless they require you to send them paperwork if it was a secured loan, let’s say a car loan. It is best to get in touch with your bank/lender on that matter for further clarification.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni