5 Reasons Why US Military do NOT bring their POV to Germany - Bavarian Motor Cars Stateside Trade in

While you’re thinking about what to do with your vehicles, here’s 5 common reasons families do NOT bring their POV to Germany and my stress free recommendation if you’re on the fence.

Skip Ahead:
Should I bring my car? 0:00
Bank/Insurance won't cooperate 18:23
VPC is too far 50:06
Reduced Warranty 1:06
Only 1 POV 1:13
Not Ready for Germany 1:21
Rental Cars 1:51
Stateside Trade In 2:07
How it works 2:50

2. Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) is too far.
Depending on your location in the states, you may have to drive your POV to a VPC that’s completely out of the way. Is it worth driving that far to send your vehicle?

3. Reduced warranty.
Check with your warranty on your POV, some warranties become null or reduced when you ship it overseas. This can create problems with routine maintenance or any damages that may occur while living in Germany.

4. You can only bring one POV on the government’s dime.

5. Your POV isn’t ready for German roads & regulations.
Many people ask me if bringing a truck is a good idea in Germany. Yes and no. Yes, trucks are fine on base, parking and streets are wide enough.

Depending on which base you’re at, roads off base, to include the Autobahn are big enough to fit your full size truck. However, trucks are terrible in the cities. I would NOT drive my truck in cities such as Wiesbaden, downtown Kaiserslautern (near Ramstein), Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, etc. Avoid parking garages and small country roads if you’re stationed in more rural areas.

Your POV also needs to be ready for German inspection. There are strict rules on what needs to be done to your POV to insure it’s safe for you and other drivers around you.

Pro Tip: Rental Car
If you do decide to ship your POV, most families don’t receive their vehicle for up to 6 weeks (or more). This means you’ll need a rental car which is not reimbursed by the government.

My recommendation: Stateside Trade-in with Bavarian Motor Cars

Moving to Germany on orders/TDY enables a number of benefits for you and your family. One of the BEST benefits is a state side trade in through Bavarian Motor Cars (BMC).

Bavarian Motor Cars is the official military discounted sales program for U.S. service personnel stationed in NATO countries. You can save big money with a tax free purchase on all BMWs as well as preowned cars/trucks.

They’re the only car dealership in Germany that offers a stateside trade in program. This means they’ll literally pick up your POV (on your doorstep) in the states, and have your trade in vehicle ready to go the moment you land overseas.

[TornadosBadNauheim]

Ha! Nice topic. The main reason is because it’s not worth it. For the time being in Germany for deployment just get a used Mercedes, BMW or other nice USED car. Can get those for up to 10K and they’ll last for your deployment

[helsinkisuomi]

6. Your vehicle can be damaged while being shipped. True story!

[helsinkisuomi]

A comment for #3....BMW USA told me that the warranty for my BMW is NOT valid in Germany. Yeah, talk about disappointment. Wanted to bring my car to its birthplace.

[denzzlinga]

But i think you can also make a ton of money when the amry ships your car over the pond for free. If you have a proper american car or truck that isn´t officially sold in europe. When you bring it here, drive it, and sell it at the end of your deployment. Since there is a marked for importet american vehicles, but because they are rare and importing them is big and costly hustle, price is usually double that what you pay in the us.

[Capcom]

I'm seriously considering doing all of these steps with Bavaria Motor Cars, but I'm concerned that the SUV I want may be to big.

I am considering the X5 50e, (hybrid) so we can save on gas, but will the X5 have issues with getting around off base, due to being bigger?

[alaskatopdog]

I love Portugal... When I retire I want to immigrate to the Porto area. I don't think I would take my F150 with .. it's older (05) and has over 200k miles.

[hansmuller]

What has your bank to say about your car?

[Ben]

Any tips for a civilian needing to get out of a leased car?