🚗 How to Register a Vehicle in Mexico as an Expat

Whether you're buying a car locally or importing one from abroad, registering a vehicle in Mexico as an expat can feel like navigating a maze. This guide breaks it down—step by step—with no fluff, no guesswork, and no tourist traps.

📋 Step 1: Know Your Residency Status

You must have either a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa to legally register a vehicle.

• This gives you access to a CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población), which is required for registration.

• Tourists cannot register vehicles in their own name—avoid dealers offering workarounds with generic RFCs.

Source: Gobierno de México - INM

🛠️ Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Here’s what you’ll need to bring to the registration office:

• CURP and valid residency card

• Passport (original and copy)

• Proof of address (utility bill, rental contract, or title deed)

• Original factura (invoice) of the vehicle

• Tax receipts for previous years (Tenencia)

• Valid Mexican liability insurance policy

Source: Gobierno de México - Secretaría de Movilidad

🔍 Step 3: Verify the Vehicle’s Status

Before purchasing or registering:

• Check the VIN and registration match

• Confirm the car is not stolen via REPUVE

• Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle

• Ensure the seller has legal authority to transfer ownership

Source: REPUVE

🧾 Step 4: Transfer Ownership

• The seller should attend the registration appointment with you

• Sign the back of the factura with ID copies attached

• Pay any outstanding taxes or fees

• Complete the transfer at your local Secretaría de Movilidad or licensing center

Source: Gobierno de México - Secretaría de Movilidad

🌎 Step 5: Importing a Foreign-Plated Vehicle

If you're bringing a car from the U.S. or Canada:

• Vehicle must be 8–9 years old and manufactured in North America (VIN starts with 1–5)

• You must be a legal resident and pay import taxes

• After 180 days, foreign-plated cars must be registered or risk confiscation by federal authorities

Source: SAT - Aduanas e Importación

🧠 Pro Tips

• Use a facilitator if you’re unsure—many locals do too

• Some dealerships offer registration services for a fee

• Always buy insurance before driving—even for test drives

✅ Final Word

Registering a vehicle in Mexico isn’t impossible—it’s just layered. With the right documents, a trusted seller, and a clear understanding of your residency status, you can drive legally and confidently. And if you’re working with vetted providers like Alfonso Galindo, you’re already ahead of the curve.

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❓ FAQ

Q: Can tourists register a vehicle in Mexico? A: No. Only Temporary or Permanent Residents with a CURP can register a vehicle.

Q: What documents are required to register a car in Mexico? A: CURP, residency card, passport, proof of address, original factura, Tenencia receipts, and Mexican liability insurance.

Q: How do I check if a car is stolen in Mexico? A: Use the REPUVE website to verify the vehicle’s legal status.

Q: Can I import a car from the U.S. or Canada? A: Yes, if it’s 8–9 years old, manufactured in North America, and you pay import taxes.

Q: What happens if I don’t register a foreign-plated car after 180 days? A: It may be confiscated by federal authorities.

Q: Is it worth using a registration facilitator? A: Yes, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. Many locals use them too.