Argentina
 

I'm possibly going to be over in BA soon. What's the chances of buying a motorbike there? Only a small one I need really. And what about selling it too? What kind of paperwork is needed. I'm going to get my international driving permit for my UK license. I'm going on a working holiday visa. Is it worth it and how is parking over there? I've heard people photocopy there license to there? Do you know anything about this? Is having a bike safe in BA too as in not getting stolen? What would you recommend?

Cheers,

Charlotte

If you buy an Argentine-registered bike, it is said you can't take it out of Argentina.
If you buy a foreign-reg bike you need to do it right otherwise you won't get it over the border. May be different rules if you are there on a non-tourist visa.

Quite safe to have a bike in BA, but actually riding it on the roads will be a lot more exciting. Common saying by motorists is that despite their best efforts at keeping the bike population under control, they breed faster than they can be exterminated. Applies more to Colombia, but true for BA as well.

Hello Tony,

I just found out I can't take it out of Argentina which is exactly what you are saying now which doesn't help as I want to be able to cross borders. Do you have any advice about this?

Thanks,

Charlotte

Trouble is there is no one advice that covers all situations. Lots of people buy a foreign bike from a foreigner and most of them have no problems, but the infinite number of variables make it hard to be specific. For instance, you are going there with a different visa to we overlanders so who knows what effect that will have. Insurance can be problematic, and for many travellers who are silly enough to get their paperwork from Mr Photoshop, may be completely invalid if they have an accident. Lots arrange for a Poder that supposedly allows them to cross borders but it isn't foolproof and I have copies of a confiscation order drawn up by Argentinian Aduana against a foreigner who was caught out only after several border crossings in and out of Argentina. He walked out of that border post and caught a bus.

Basic problem is that in most countries it is illegal for a foreigner to enter the country with a vehicle under a temporary import permit (TIP, TVIP) and not leave the country with the vehicle. Couple of countries make it easier than others but it takes time and money to do it legally so most don't bother and try a work-around. Mostly it works.

BTW, I assume you have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, because this has been discussed before and consensus is that if you don't have the endorsement then the IDP will also not have the proper stamp so you will be just as illegal here as back home.
Then again, this is South America and some things aren't taken so seriously.

I doubt whether you will find anyone prepared to give a definitive guide to buying a bike here and the best you might find is the useless "I did such and such (and got away with it) so you can DEFINITELY do it too"
Xfiltrate is a long-time member here and lives in BA and he always says that buying a foreign bike in Argentina is just impossible to do legally. I suggest he is right. Others just go ahead and do it anyway and "got away with it"

Selling BMW G650GS Sertao in Montevideo
 

Hi Charlotte!
Getting ownership of a bike depends where the bike is registered.
The more easy and also legal way is a power of attorney written in spanish.
I'm selling my bike in Montevideo. For detailed information have a look here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...re-ready-80254

You can directly contact me at sevendeg650gs@gmx.de

Greetings
Stefan

Been posted before but no harm in posting it again


Caveat Emptor - Buyer beware

Because there is a steady, but thankfully small stream of people getting into trouble with their new purchase, I'm going to play Devils Advocate and post this on every "For Sale" section on this and every other forum I can find.
Directed primarily at the Americas situation, I imagine it will also be applicable all over the world.

Be very aware that buying a foreign-registered car from a foreigner in any country and/or state other than that of original registration is potentially a very bad move unless you fully understand the situation and fully understand the risks.

Yes, lots of people do it and I know it can be done, but there are cases where people have been stopped at the border and other cases where people have had their vehicles confiscated for irregular ownership transfer even after several successful border crossings.

Things to watch for -

Expired registration

Non-current roadworthy or smog certification

Fake License plates

License plates with year tags missing or incorrect

Fake documents

Supposed original Documents that have been laminated

Bill of sale drawn up 'legally" in the foreign country

Not possible to obtain legal ownership in your name back in the country of origin.

Your nationality different to the owners or the vehicle home country

Multiple blank PODERS offered or poder without all required stamps or your name missing

Any vague excuses for discrepancies in paperwork or situation

Any seller that makes assurances such as "She'll be right" or "No worries" or I've checked it all out and ..."

Any vehicle without a valid (meaning still within the validity dates) Temporary Import Permit or equivalent document

Any suggestion that valid Liability Insurance isn't available to cover you, the new driver.

Owner wanting full payment before it has crossed the first border

Current owner not contactable or out of the country.

Vehicle not in legal roadworthy condition

Vehicle without all "extras" required in that country

As I said, it can be done but as the title states - if it goes wrong, it is your problem. If you find any or these items apply to your planned purchase then make sure they can be answered and fixed before you hand over any money. At the very least insist on retaining a substantial part of the purchase price until you get over the first border and into the next country with all paperwork and registrations in your name. If the current owner is 100% genuine then he will be more than happy to share the risks. If not, then now is the time to walk away.