Cars from USA — Worth Importing?
Importing cars from USA offers great deals and unique models. But there are risks: salvage titles, flood-damaged cars, high shipping costs. This guide covers everything you need to know.
🇺🇸 USA Market Stats
Contents
Why buy a car from the USA?
The US market offers huge choice and some models are significantly cheaper than in Europe. But importing is complex.
✓ Advantages
- • Unique models not available in Europe (pickup trucks, SUVs)
- • Lower starting prices at auctions
- • CARFAX provides transparent vehicle history
- • Well-equipped cars with full specification
- • Wide range of salvage cars for repair or parts
✗ Disadvantages and risks
- • High shipping and customs costs
- • Salvage and flood car risks
- • Diesels often do not meet Euro 6
- • Long waiting time (2–3 months)
- • Requires knowledge of US car market specifics
Main Risks
US cars can hide serious problems. Main risks:
Salvage & Rebuilt
Insurance writes off cars if repair costs exceed 60-80% value. Sold at auctions cheap.
Flood-damaged cars
250k-500k cars damaged yearly. Water damages electronics, airbags. CARFAX shows flood damage but not always immediately.
Odometer fraud
Title washing — salvage title cars re-registered in states with loose regulations.
Hidden costs
Auction fees, port charges, export docs, shipping insurance, customs, VAT.
USA Title Types
Several title types indicate car history.
Best option — car has not been written off or seriously damaged.
Insurance wrote off the car. Can be imported but requires careful damage inspection.
Former salvage — repaired and re-registered. Repair quality must be checked.
Car declared scrap — cannot be registered, only useful for parts.
Flood, hail, lemon — each indicates a specific damage or problem history.
Auctions & Platforms
Main platforms for buying.
🏛️ Copart
Largest US salvage and damaged car auction with over 175,000 cars per week.
🔨 IAAI (Insurance Auto Auctions)
Second largest US insurance auction, mainly for damaged and salvage vehicles.
🚗 Manheim
Largest US dealer auction with clean title cars — higher quality, higher prices.
Real Import Costs
Car at $15k actually costs ~€20-22k total.
Car at $25k actually costs €33,200.
How to verify a US car
Before buying, complete these mandatory checks:
Check mileage history, accidents, title history, and previous owners.
Check the title type — clean, salvage, rebuilt, or flood. Avoid flood and junk.
Look for moisture inside headlights, mold traces, and rust under carpets.
Carefully review all auction photos, looking for damage and inconsistencies.
Check Euro 6 compliance — US diesel cars often do not meet this standard.
Import process step by step
Importing from the USA takes 2–3 months. Here are the main steps:
- 1.Find a car at auction
Search Copart, IAAI, or Manheim. Check CARFAX and title type.
- 2.Bidding and winning the auction
Bid yourself or through an importer. Set a maximum price including all costs.
- 3.Payment and documentation
Pay for the car and receive the US title document.
- 4.Shipping to Europe
The car is loaded onto a ship and transported to Hamburg or Bremerhaven (3–5 weeks).
- 5.Customs clearance
Pay customs duty and VAT in Latvia or Germany.
- 6.Technical certification
Complete emissions check and CSDD certification.
- 7.CSDD registration
Register the car and receive Latvian license plates.
Tips
Order a CARFAX report
CARFAX reveals accidents, mileage, title history, and previous owners.
Choose clean title cars
Clean title ensures easier registration and lower risk.
Check Euro 6 compliance
Before buying, verify the engine meets European emissions standards.
Don't overlook flood damage
US frequent storms and floods — flood title cars may look fine but are seriously damaged.
Don't overpay for salvage cars
Repair costs can exceed the car's value. Calculate everything carefully.
Don't ignore import costs
Shipping, customs, VAT, and certification can add 50% to the auction price.
Frequently Asked Questions
guides.articles.auto-no-asv.faq.q1▼
For unique models — yes. For regular cars — compare with European market prices.
guides.articles.auto-no-asv.faq.q2▼
CARFAX is the largest US vehicle history database. Costs around €40.
guides.articles.auto-no-asv.faq.q3▼
Salvage means the insurance company wrote off the car. Can be registered but carries additional risks.
guides.articles.auto-no-asv.faq.q4▼
Moisture inside headlights, mold smell, rust in atypical locations.
guides.articles.auto-no-asv.faq.q5▼
Car price + auction fee + shipping + customs + VAT. Total ~50% over auction price.
guides.articles.auto-no-asv.faq.q6▼
Not always. Diesel cars often do not meet Euro 6 standards.
guides.articles.auto-no-asv.faq.q7▼
Copart, IAAI, Manheim, or Latvian importers.
Summary
Importing US cars can be worthwhile for unique models, but requires careful preparation.
Check CARFAX and title type
Avoid flood and junk title cars
Calculate all import costs (~50% markup)
Check Euro 6 compliance for diesel cars
Use proven importers or brokers
US imports suit enthusiasts seeking unique models or good prices with clean title. Plan carefully and avoid flood cars.