Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Munich Mela - Car
Munich Mela - Car
Car
Purchase
Registration
Insurance
Inspection
Repair
Rental
Purchase
If you decide to have your own car and are new to German system, then it
is time to inform yourself. You have too many choices and selecting a car is
not an easy task. On the top of it, the used car market is very attractive
which simply makes it more difficult to decide.
Informing yourself
To get yourself informed about different models, buy a car catalog (Auto
Katalog). Such catalogs are published annually or half yearly and provide
technical information, price comparison and other details about all the new
models available. Although the catalogs are in German, it is worth buying
one. The price is DM 15,- and you can find them in any book store. You can
also check for their web sites e.g. http://www.autouniversum.de
Finding car
Newpapers
You can find hundreds and thousands ads for new and used cars in
local news papers, generally Wednesdays and and Saturdays.
Internet
Most of the news papers list all the ads on their web-sites and
provide a good search mechanism. You can also check the web sites
of several companies and dealers e.g. http://www.volkswagen.de
Dealers
Many dealers have a wide selection of used cars. They may be priced
slightly above the private market level but they often come with a
limited guarantee and typically are in good condition. The dealer will
also be able to help you with the formalities of insurance and
registration.
Buying a used car on the private market is the cheapest option, but is
somewhat riskier and may require more time and effort to find out what
you want. It is always wise to have a used car checked by a private
mechanic before buying it. ADAC also provides this service at a typical
price.
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Registration
Resistration of the car is required by the law. You are required to do this at
Kraftfahrzeugzulassungsstelle.
When bringing over your own car (from other country), you will need
to get car registered within one year in Germany.
Once you have your car registered, you will be issued a "Fahrzeugschein"
which you should always have with you as a proof of insurance (required by
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law).
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Insurance
Once you have found a suitable car, you are required by law to carry
liability insurance. To choose an insurance company, check yellow pages
(index Versicherungen) or ask your colleagues
The company will give you a quote for insurance which is considered the
"100% quote" This is not necessarily the price you will pay. Your bill will
range from 40% to 175% of the quote, depending upon your driving record
from your previous insurance company. If your record prove you to be a
safe driver, you will have to pay much less.
You need :
Passport
Fahrzeugbrief (proof of ownership)
Documents from your previous insurance company (not necessary)
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Inspection
Hauptuntersuchung
Every two years you will need to get your car checked for roadworthiness.
The test is called Hauptuntersuchung and is done by TÜV. The fee is about
DM 80,-. If your car does not pass this inspection, you will be asked to go
to a garage, get all the repairs done, and return for inspection (extra
charge: about DM 40,-)
Some people may prefer to take their car to a reputable garage to get
repairs and TÜV inspection done by the garage. However, in most cases it
is more expensive.
After a successful inspection, they will put a stamp indicating the validity of
the inspection which is two years.
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Abgasuntersuchung
You will also have to have an annual emission control inspection on your
car. This can be done by your local garage or TÜV.
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Repair
For car repair, you should go to a garage. You can find out one from yellow
pages (section Automobile, Autoreparaturen). In case of emergency
breakdown, call ADAC for assistance.
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Rental
www.e-sixt.com
www.avis.de
www.europcar.com
www.hertz.com
www.nationalcar-europe.com
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Find Out
Driving License
Driving rules
German-English glossary (words you should know)
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