Everything you need to know before importing.
Guides, comparisons and analysis on importing premium vehicles from Europe to France and Switzerland. Written by Maxime Astier, founder of Auto M Import.
Low-Emission Zones 2026: Can Your Imported Car Drive in French Cities?
Abolition voted then struck down, Crit'Air still in force, Lyon now fining: the clear picture on France's low-emission zones (ZFE) in 2026 and what they mean for a car imported from Germany. The good news: a recent premium import drives everywhere.
mobile.de: How to Buy a Car in Germany Safely (2026 Guide)
mobile.de is the largest used-car marketplace in Europe — and the first place to look when importing from Germany. How to filter, read a listing, tell a dealer from a private seller, and above all spot the scams before you send a single euro.
Checking a German Car Before Buying: Odometer, History, Accidents (2026)
Wound-back odometer, false 'accident-free', incomplete service book: buying a car in Germany means knowing how to verify. The complete method, document by document, plus the essential German vocabulary so you don't get caught out.
Importing a Porsche Taycan from Germany: Zero Penalty Tax, Battery, the Real Maths (2026)
The Taycan is one of the smartest electric imports: zero penalty tax despite its weight, a deep German market and rare configurations. Versions, real range, battery health: the honest guide to importing a Porsche Taycan in 2026.
Importing a Volkswagen Golf GTI or Golf R from Germany (2026): Price, Penalty Tax, Pitfalls
The Golf GTI and Golf R are among the smartest hot hatches to import from Germany: a huge market, rare versions and an attractive price. GTI or R, what penalty tax, and which pitfalls to avoid — the 2026 guide.
Importing a Mercedes G-Class from Germany: G 63, G 450d, and the Penalty-Tax Trap (2026)
The G-Class is one of the most desired 4x4s — and one of the most heavily taxed to import. Which model to choose, at what price, and why the G 63 is often the worst penalty-tax case: the honest guide to importing a Mercedes G-Class from Germany in 2026.
Importing a Porsche Cayenne from Germany: Versions, Penalty Tax, the Real Maths (2026)
Which Cayenne to import, at what price, and above all what penalty tax by engine: the honest guide to importing a Porsche Cayenne (or a Macan) from Germany in 2026 — where the V8 is a trap and the hybrid a sweet spot.
Importing an Electric Car from Germany in 2026: The Real Maths (Penalty Tax, VAT, Battery)
No purchase grant, but zero penalty tax: importing a premium electric vehicle from Germany follows a different logic than a combustion car. Penalty tax, VAT, real range, battery health, charging: the honest 2026 guide.
Reclaiming VAT on an Imported Vehicle: What's Possible (and What Isn't)
Commercial vehicle or passenger car, new or used, reverse charge or margin scheme: the clear guide to whether your business can actually reclaim VAT on an imported vehicle — and how to avoid the trap that blocks it.
Importing a Mercedes-AMG from Germany: Which Model, What Penalty Tax (2026)
V8, hybrid, A45: depending on the model and the year, importing a Mercedes-AMG from Germany can be a fantastic deal or a tax trap. The complete guide to the AMG penalty tax (malus), the sweet spots, and the pitfalls to avoid in 2026.
Importing a Porsche 911 from Germany: Price, Penalty Tax, Rare Configs (2026)
Europe's deepest market, configurations you simply can't find in France (manual gearbox, Paint To Sample, GT3), and the real penalty tax (malus) calculation: the complete guide to importing a Porsche 911 from Germany in 2026.
Importing a Car to Geneva and the Canton of Vaud: The 2026 Registration Process
The registration procedure for an imported vehicle in Geneva (OCV) and the canton of Vaud (SAN): documents, cantonal inspection, Z plates, costs, and the pitfalls to avoid, canton by canton.
Importing an Audi RS6 from Germany: The Real Penalty Tax (Malus) Calculation (2026 Guide)
The real price gap, a deep market, and above all the penalty tax calculation that makes or breaks the deal: the complete guide to importing an Audi RS6 from Germany in 2026 without falling into the tax trap.
Buying a Car in Germany Yourself or Using a Broker?
The real comparison between importing a car from Germany on your own and using a broker: actual costs, time, risks, and an honest breakdown of which option wins depending on your situation.
The Best Cars to Import from Germany in 2026 (Ranked)
Which premium models are genuinely worth importing from Germany in 2026? Our logic-driven ranking — the no-brainers, the hard-to-find configurations, the anti-penalty-tax weapon, and the traps to avoid at all costs.
Car-Buying Scams in Germany: The Traps and How to Avoid Them
Odometer fraud, fake sellers, bogus escrow services, cloned VINs: a complete overview of car-buying scams in Germany, the warning signs to watch for, and the one real safeguard for French and Swiss buyers.
Importing a BMW M3 or M4 from Germany: Price, Penalty Tax, Pitfalls (2026 Guide)
The real price gap, hard-to-find configurations, and above all the actual penalty tax calculation on an M3/M4: the complete guide to importing a BMW M car from Germany in 2026 without any bad surprises.
How to Import a Car from Germany to Switzerland: The Complete 2026 Guide
Customs, 8.1% VAT, 4% automobile tax, cantonal vehicle inspection, CO2 penalty: everything you need to know to import a premium vehicle from Germany to Switzerland in 2026, with real costs and the pitfalls to avoid.
2026 Penalty Tax on a Car Imported from Germany: What Actually Applies
CO2 penalty tax, weight tax, the so-called 'retroactive penalty tax': separating fact from fiction for 2026. How the penalty tax is really calculated on an imported used car — and the two misconceptions that cost buyers dearly.
Car Broker in Germany: How to Choose the Right One in 2026 (and Avoid Scams)
The complete guide to choosing a specialist German car broker or import agent: the 8 criteria that matter, the 6 questions to ask before signing, and the red flags to avoid.
Germany Car Import Price Guide 2026: Full Cost Breakdown by Model and Brand
How much does a BMW, Porsche, Audi or Mercedes really cost in Germany vs. France? A detailed price guide with real price gaps for 25 popular models in 2026.
How Much Does It Really Cost to Import a Car from Germany in 2026? The Complete Breakdown
Every real cost of importing a car from Germany, broken down line by line: purchase price, inspection, transport, paperwork, and broker fees. With 3 fully transparent worked examples for a BMW, a Porsche, and an Audi.
Importing a Car from Germany to France in 2026: The Complete Guide (Price, Process, Timeline)
Everything you need to know before bringing a vehicle in from Germany: the real costs, the administrative process, realistic timelines, and the pitfalls to avoid.