Hi guys,
Just wondering if there are any specific restrictions/regulation to buy an out of state used car (Colorado) and bring and register in CA?
Thanks.

My understanding is that MBZ has one spec for N. Am cars and they are 50 state legal. I even imported an MBZ from Canada when the exchange rate was crazy in the USA's favor and reg'd it on CA w/o issue.

Good to know thanks. Does it apply to an older, 10 years old MB?

The car I imported as a 99 C280 sport and at the time, it was only a year or so old. I'd think so.

I have done this many's times with no issues, the only thing different is that Ca DMV wants to inspect the car so you have to take it to the DMV for the inspection.

just make sure the car will pass ca smog check.

Shouldn't you be talking to someone in the CA motor vehicle agency who might know the latest facts? Supply year, make, model, VIN #, etc.?

When i bought my car, it was quite the opposite. I flew to L.A and drove it back to Colorado. I don't know how it is there, but sure it is somewhat similar. Before registering it here, any out of state vehicle has to have a VIN inspection done, then of course gotta have the title/ or dealer paperwork, and insurance to register it and get a title in your name in your state. Good luck.

Aaron

i bought my car in Colorado at an MB dealership and had it trucked to CA - took to the dmv on appt and they had to do an inspection and collect used car tax and transfer paperwork - super easy - and yes all MB cars are 50 state legal.

If you think about it, this is no different than a person relocating to CA and driving their automobile to their new residence. We did that. 2 cars, a boat and boat trailer from LA to TX. Piece of cake.

/\ One thing about that is...If you buy it in that state, and plan on driving it on public roads to get home, they make you pay state sales tax. You don't have to if you're towing it though

Aaron

OK. Slightly different case due to taxation, etc. However, there was nothing about the car itself that precluded registration in the new state.
Back in the land before time, there were 49 state cars and CA cars. I wonder if a used car was grandfathered in back in the day? Surely you didn't have to sell a 49 state car and buy a CA car if you moved to CA. On the other hand, stranger things have happened.

Thanks for all the responses. Great info.


How much roughly you paid to ship from CO to CA ( I assume you shipped it to SJ, CA?)

so - I'm assuming you only pay state taxes once, right? not once in the state you're purchasing from, and then taxed again in CA?

if so, could be beneficial to check the local tax rates, could end up saving a couple hundred bucks (or spending more) depending on local vs CA taxes...

??

You only pay taxes where you register the car. Is this the first car you have purchased?

First car I've had to shop for out of state

I am wondering how much does it cost for all of the paperworks with DMV and taxes? I am from California, so I consider to get a Benz from out of state, too.

found this on the DMV site
http://dmv.ca.gov/FeeCalculatorWeb/index.jsp

works pretty good!

roughly add 10-12% for tax and tags - so it's good to do your homework here!
figure a $28k '05 would require another $3k for tax/tags so about $31 total

also, don't forget to call and check your insurance rates