Bringing or Buying a Car in Mexico

But the question of “bring or buy” is a frequent topic in the Mexican expat community and there are advantages and disadvantages to each option.

With an FM2, FM3 or tourist visa, you may bring your foreign vehicle into Mexico by applying for a temporary import permit at Mexican customs.  The car can remain in Mexico for the same length of time as your visa permits you to stay in the country and you must bring it back over the Mexican border with the permit to avoid losing your privilege to bring another vehicle into Mexico in the future.

A foreign plated car also has other restrictions while in use in Mexico including:

·         You must have these documents with you while driving:  Temporary Import Permit, Vehicle Return Promise Agreement, Tourist Card or Residency Visa, Driver's License, Proof of Citizenship. 

·         The temporarily imported vehicle may be driven by the spouse or adult children of the importer (U.S./Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S./Canada).  Also, foreigners with the same Mexican immigration status of the importer may drive the vehicle.

·         Mexican nationals residing in Mexico or foreigners or foreigners residing permanently in Mexico may drive the vehicle only if the importer, the importer's spouse or the importer's adult son or daughter is in the vehicle.

Another option is to purchase a vehicle in Mexico and leave it here permanently.  Car prices are noticeably higher in Mexico than in the USA, especially so in smaller cities.  Many residents of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit will travel to Tepic or Guadalajara to purchase vehicles at better prices.  But it is wise to purchase vehicles that are commonly driven in Banderas Bay as finding mechanics knowledgeable about your vehicle will be much easier and the cost or repairs and maintenance will be more affordable.