Exporting a Car

From finiki

Most cars can be used while going south for up to 6 months. Insurance coverage extends to use in the US. However when entering Mexico, extra insurance must be purchased. It can be acquired online or purchased at the border. In Mexico, local liability coverage is essential because you and your car willheld in the event of an accident regardless of fault until an insurancecompany lawyer shows up on the scene and liberates you. You car is imported under your tourist visa (FMT) and must leave the country when you do.

If you decide to stay longer than 6 months, you must apply for an FM3 visa and you car can remain in the country under that visa indefinitely. While insurance must still be maintained, no vehicle registration (current license plates) is required.

Vehicles can be nationalized so that they can be sold and carry local plates. However only used vehicles that are exactly ten years old can be naturalized. This mean that most FM3 holders simply drive their cars back north and sell them there. This means that they need temporary registration that is valid in their originating location.

Because border towns along the US border are trading zones, you will not be stopped at the Mexican border. So you must stop and get your FMT at the border. Then 21 km further south is the "real" border and it is here that you must pay to import your car. You get a sticker for the windshield demonstrating legal importation.

Repairs to cars are considerably cheaper in Mexico. A brake job is 650 pesos. Repairing a tail light assembly and patching/repainting body work is 2000 pesos. Replacing the condenser and recharging the AC is 2000 pesos.