You're driving a car home from Germany. You've just bought it, you've got the keys, and now you've got a 1,500–2,000 km journey back to Bulgaria. Sounds great, doesn't it? You get to enjoy your new car on the open road, and by the evening you're already thinking about where to park it outside your home. Most cars make the journey without any trouble. But some break down along the way, and that's when the excitement of buying a new car quickly disappears. Let me tell you what I'd check before setting off, because driving 2,000 km in a car you don't know is no small thing.
What determines whether I'll get home without problems?
The first and most important thing is the condition of the car. I'm not talking about shiny paintwork, a lovely interior or how good it looks in the photos. I'm talking about what's under the bonnet, how it brakes, how it drives and whether someone has hidden a problem just before selling it. A car can look absolutely beautiful and still leave you stranded on the motorway.
- The condition of the car – the engine, brakes, tyres and everything else you rely on to get home safely. Good looks guarantee nothing.
- Your travel documents – everything needs to be in order before you set off. You don't want to discover halfway through the journey that something's missing.
- The weather and time of year – your tyres and the car's preparation need to suit the conditions you'll be driving in. Just because the weather's lovely when you leave doesn't mean it'll stay that way.
What should I check before driving a car home from Germany?
Imagine you've just been handed the keys and the seller tells you everything's fine. Lovely, but I wouldn't set off based on their word alone. There are a few things I'd definitely check before getting onto the motorway. Not because I don't trust the seller, but because I don't know the car's history.
- The tyres. Check the tread depth, their age and the tyre pressures. A tyre might look perfectly fine from the side but be old and unsuitable for a long journey. Don't just look at how much tread is left.
- The brakes. Check their condition before you leave. If the car judders when you brake or you feel it isn't stopping properly, don't tell yourself you'll sort it out when you get back to Bulgaria. Brakes are not something you compromise on.
- Engine oil, coolant and AdBlue. Check the levels. If the engine oil is low, do something about it rather than hoping it'll last until you get home. The same goes for the coolant and any AdBlue warnings.
- Dashboard warning lights and diagnostic fault codes. If the engine management light is on, the glow plug light is flashing or there's another warning, you need to find out why. But even if there are no warning lights, I'd still run a diagnostic scan. The dashboard doesn't tell you everything.
- The timing belt. Check when it was last replaced and whether there's proof of the work. If the service history is unclear, don't just accept someone saying, "It's been changed." For newer engines built after 2015, I recommend replacing the timing belt every 180,000 km or 5 years, whichever comes first.
- The battery. Check its condition, especially if the car has been sitting unused for a long time. The last thing you want is to stop for a break and then find the car won't start.
What documents do I need to drive the car home?
To drive a car home from Germany, you'll need temporary export plates, insurance and the vehicle documents. Don't leave this until the last minute. The car might be in perfect mechanical condition, but if the paperwork isn't right, your journey could still come to an early end. Check everything before you set off, not when you're already halfway home.
I've also written a separate article about documents and compulsory equipment when driving abroad. Give it a read beforehand so you're not wondering at the last minute whether you've forgotten something. I know paperwork isn't the most exciting part of buying a car. But it's every bit as important as the car's condition.
What are the hidden risks of driving a car home from Germany?
The nastiest surprises are usually the things you can't see in the photos. The car looks clean, the engine starts, the seller is friendly and everything seems fine. That's exactly when it's easy to miss something important. And believe me, I'd much rather you discover a problem before buying the car than on the motorway.
- The car has been sitting for months. It might look well looked after, but the tyres could be old and the battery might be in poor condition. Little things at first glance, but they're enough to ruin the whole journey.
- The fault codes have been cleared before the sale. Someone has plugged in a diagnostic tool, erased the stored faults and now the dashboard looks perfectly normal. That doesn't mean the problem has been fixed. That's why I insist on a proper diagnostic check, not just a dashboard with no warning lights.
- The timing belt has been overlooked. There's no clear service history, no proof it's been replaced, but everyone assures you there's nothing to worry about. I wouldn't rely on promises when we're talking about such an important part of the engine.
WARNING! Never set off in a car with a red warning light illuminated. First, find out what's causing it and get the problem fixed. A 2,000 km journey isn't a test drive. It's a serious trip in a car you don't know yet.
What would I do if I were buying a car like this?
First, I'd arrange for the car to be inspected locally before buying it. If that wasn't possible, I'd at least have a diagnostic scan done before setting off for Bulgaria. I want to know what I'm buying and what I'll be driving home. I don't need someone promising me the car is perfect. I need a clear picture of its actual condition.
If the engine oil level was low, I'd stop at the first petrol station and top it up with the correct oil. I wouldn't wait for a warning light to come on or for the engine to start rattling. And once the car arrives in Bulgaria, I recommend changing the engine oil and all the filters – oil, air, fuel and cabin – every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. Regardless of LongLife servicing or the type of oil used.
Tip from Kris Mladenov: Put a high-visibility vest, warning triangle and first-aid kit in the boot. Before setting off, send us the car's VIN and have a read about what I check when buying a car from Germany. I've also put together 10 things to check before driving to the seaside – a checklist that'll come in handy for this long journey too.
I hope you've found this article useful! If you have, I'd really appreciate you sharing it with a friend who's planning to buy a car from Germany. My mission is simple – when I know something useful, I want more people to know it too. Because checking something at the right time can save you a lot of trouble. And if you skip that check, you'll be the one paying for the consequences out of your own pocket.
Read more
- Used car import from official dealers in Germany
- Pre-purchase inspection
- Buying a Car from Germany: What Should You Check?
- Driving Abroad Checklist: Documents and Equipment
- Pre-Road Trip Car Checklist: 10 Things to Check
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drive a car home from Germany to Bulgaria?
Yes, provided the car is in good mechanical condition and all the paperwork is in order. Most cars make the journey without any problems, but I always recommend having the car checked before such a long drive.
What should I definitely check before setting off?
The tyres, brakes, engine oil, coolant, AdBlue, battery and timing belt history. Have a diagnostic scan done too, even if there are no warning lights on the dashboard.
What documents do I need for the journey?
You'll need temporary export plates, insurance and the vehicle documents. Check everything in advance, before starting your journey.