BajaNomad

How to leave a car in Mexico...legally!

grace59 - 9-25-2009 at 06:42 AM

Greetings Nomads,
We are currently building a house in San Felipe. We want to buy a Jeep here and just leave it in the garage of our house there for use in the desert. We have our FM3s. What do we need to do in order to leave the car there? Do we go through the importation process? Any type of car that is not allowed? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

CortezBlue - 9-25-2009 at 07:03 AM

I have a jeep in my garage in SF, but we use it as a recreational vehicle.
I ocassionally drive it into town but mainly drive it on the beach.
I have mine plated from South Dakota.

I suppose if I were going to live in SF full time and use it as a daily driver I would get a Mex Drivers Lic and then transfer the vehicle, pay the taxes etc.

Car in mexico

wessongroup - 9-25-2009 at 07:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
Greetings Nomads,
We are currently building a house in San Felipe. We want to buy a Jeep here and just leave it in the garage of our house there for use in the desert. We have our FM3s. What do we need to do in order to leave the car there? Do we go through the importation process? Any type of car that is not allowed? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.


Grace, don't forget to put a lock on it....





I'm sure you will have no problems... :):):)

Martyman - 9-25-2009 at 07:58 AM

Don't worry about it. Just keep it registered in S. Dakota and get the new stickers. Oh yeah...keep it in the garage when your gone. No Bigee.

DENNIS - 9-25-2009 at 08:04 AM

Just leave it there and don't concern yourself with worst possible scenarios.
Seems lately, people have been micro-manageing the small print in the letter of the law when all it does is call attention to a new source of revenue for some government flunky and give birth to a mob of independent agents who will charge you good money to do your paperwork for you.
Believe me...there is nobody out there looking for your vehicle to make sure it's in the country legally. They don't even look for people who are in the country illegally.
If you open a can of worms, you'll see that it's full of worms.

Bajajorge - 9-25-2009 at 08:48 AM

From what I've been told by some long time residents of San Felipe, anything goes. Second hand info from Mexican DMV in SF says, an off road vehicle, such as a dirty looking desert jeep needs only proof of ownership, Mexican insurance and a license plate, any license plate. This makes the vehicle SF legal, legal on any SF Hwy, Road, street, dirt road or trail. I would not however take the vehicle out of SF.
But, if you're going to have a shiny, good lookin Jeep, one that will be driven back and forth across the border, I'd get info from some others on this forum that are quite knowlegable in cheaply registering vehicles for legal use outside of SF.

Yes

wessongroup - 9-25-2009 at 08:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Just leave it there and don't concern yourself with worst possible scenarios.
Seems lately, people have been micro-manageing the small print in the letter of the law when all it does is call attention to a new source of revenue for some government flunky and give birth to a mob of independent agents who will charge you good money to do your paperwork for you.
Believe me...there is nobody out there looking for your vehicle to make sure it's in the country legally. They don't even look for people who are in the country illegally.
If you open a can of worms, you'll see that it's full of worms.


On point with this one.. now all you have to do is enforce it... :lol::lol::lol:

David K - 9-25-2009 at 09:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
Greetings Nomads,
We are currently building a house in San Felipe. We want to buy a Jeep here and just leave it in the garage of our house there for use in the desert. We have our FM3s. What do we need to do in order to leave the car there? Do we go through the importation process? Any type of car that is not allowed? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.


With an FM-3 rentista, you legally can leave personal property in Mexico when you return home to the U.S.

If the Jeep will never return to the U.S., and you will discontinue your U.S. registration and insurance, then it may be wise to make it legal in Baja. Much has been posted here over the years... Use Nomad search at the top of the page.

Don't worry

Dave - 9-25-2009 at 09:11 AM

The authorities can't enter your garage. The only thing you have to worry about is thieves.


On second thought....disregard the first sentence. :rolleyes:

MitchMan - 9-25-2009 at 09:43 AM

I like Dennis's answer, it's practical. I spend alot of time in La Paz and have a dirty, beat up 4x4 that I keep there and use to go fishing in La Ventana and to drive in the city of La Paz. I notice that several times a month the La Paz police seem to go on a ticketing frenzy and stop just about evey car they have time for. I fear that if all your documentation is not present and in order or if there is some apparent equipment violation, the police will use that against you. It's a witch hunt.

Also, I believe that if your State/USA registration is not current (while your car is in La Paz), they will stop you and cite you. I have been stopped for a seat belt violation once. Also, if you have a "tourist" Mexican auto insurance policy that is current, but your State/USA registration is not, I wonder if the ins company will refuse to stand behind you if you get in an accident which would mean that you have no insurance at all.

What does this mean? I think that if you spend all you baja time in a rural area, Dennis's recommended perspective sounds pretty good to me. But, if you are in a more "visible" area AND/OR your being covered (in fact) by auto insurance is important to you, then I think that you aught to apprise yourself of all the rules that pertain to you legally and then religiously follow those rules.

[Edited on 9-25-2009 by MitchMan]

DENNIS - 9-25-2009 at 09:49 AM

I wouldn't suggest my attitude for La Paz. I'm sure it would be out of place there. San Felipe is a bit more rural and, probably tolerant. Can't be sure though. I haven't been over there for 40+ years.

MitchMan - 9-25-2009 at 11:21 AM

Kate, is it really that easy?

Not trying to hijack the thread, but, for an American buying a leaving a vehicle in Baja, other than the purchase price, what other licenses, fees, registration processes and red tape does one have to go through in order to buy the Mexican car? Are there any "Gringo taxes" and other "Gotcha's" here?

DENNIS - 9-25-2009 at 11:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
Kate, is it really that easy?

Not trying to hijack the thread, but, for an American buying a leaving a vehicle in Baja, other than the purchase price, what other licenses, fees, registration processes and red tape does one have to go through in order to buy the Mexican car? Are there any "Gringo taxes" and other "Gotcha's" here?


I think you need a Mexican license to drive a Mexico plated car.

DENNIS - 9-25-2009 at 12:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by morgaine7
My car is an '87, so I don't have to pay it.

Kate


Everybody should own a car that's older than he/she is at some point in their life. It shows an admirable humility. :D

BMG - 9-25-2009 at 12:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by morgaine7
My car is an '87, so I don't have to pay it.

Kate


Everybody should own a car that's older than he/she is at some point in their life. It shows an admirable humility. :D

Does a horse and buggy count?

DENNIS - 9-25-2009 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by morgaine7
My car is an '87, so I don't have to pay it.

Kate


Everybody should own a car that's older than he/she is at some point in their life. It shows an admirable humility. :D

Does a horse and buggy count?


Don't bother me when I'm flirting. :lol: