Buying a second hand car in Italy
 

Can anyone please help with this problem?
We have read the various posts about buying a second hand car in Italy but none fit our circumstances.
Our problem is that we are not Italian residents. We are British citizens who are resident in Malta but keep a boat in a marina in Italy for 12 months of the year.
We want to buy a car in Italy and use it for approx 3 months each year, while we are using the boat.
We don't know where to start to obtain advice and hope that someone on this forum can point us in the right direction.
The stumbling block seems to be our non-residency. Has anyone any experience of using a marina address as a residency?
Here's hoping:confused:

Re: Buying a second hand car in Italy
 

I bought a second hand car here within 2 weeks of arriving - long before getting residency. It always seems to be who you know as much if not more than what you know.

Re: Buying a second hand car in Italy
 

Margaret is right, it is not what you know but who. I also know people who have had to rent a car for months because they could not buy one.

I wonder if it is easier to buy a second hand one without residency than a new one!!!

Sorry I can't help more.

Re: Buying a second hand car in Italy
 

Many thanks for the reply. It certainly gives us some hope. Another question - After managing to buy the car, how were you able to legally insure it?:thumbsup:

Re: Buying a second hand car in Italy
 

Thanks Loreto. It's great that there is a way around the system. The car rental prices where we are (just south of Venice) are very high, compared to the rest of Europe,which is why we're wanting to buy. Did you have any trouble in obtaining insurance?:thumbsup:

Re: Buying a second hand car in Italy
 

Agent took us to an insurance broker. Like I say, more who you know, and more importantly who they know. Our agents family originated from here, and it seems half the town are his cousins, so maybe that helps.

Re: Buying a second hand car in Italy
 

Italsure insure expats cars, very competitive prices and a very friendly service. You can get a quote on line, but in my experience I would ring them afterwards as it is likely the chap (Oliver) can reduce it. It didn't work out a lot more than what I was paying in the UK, perhaps about £100, but that's all and very good for Italy, give them a try. I think the website is www.italsure.com, or something similar!

Bets of luck

Re: Buying a second hand car in Italy
 

That is right. First time round I had to get the insurance same time as the car. This year I have insured it with Italsure for about 1/3 the price.