Car sourcing means we find the exact car you want — searching both the Portuguese market and EU dealer auctions that are closed to the public — inspect it, negotiate it, and deliver it to you registered in Portugal. You set the spec and the budget; we show you real candidates with history and condition reports, and the full cost (car + ISV + transport + our fee) is calculated before you commit a euro to the purchase.
What a sourcing service is — and when it beats browsing
Browsing works when the car you want is common, honestly described and fairly priced in Portugal. It stops working when the model is scarce here (automatics, EVs, specific trims), when local prices are inflated, or when you can't judge a used car's condition from photos in a language you don't read. Sourcing flips the process: instead of you chasing listings, the dealer's buying power and market access work for you.
Where we search
| Market | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Portuguese market | Open, but seller-side quality varies | Cars already on PT plates — no import taxes |
| EU dealer auctions (Germany & EU) | Dealers only — closed to private buyers | Scarce specs, documented condition, competitive prices |
The auction route is our core: professional platforms where trade-in and fleet cars are sold between dealers, with standardised damage reports and documented mileage. Private buyers cannot bid there — that access is the practical difference between a sourcing service and a Google search. How auction buying works end-to-end is on our auction page.
How the process works
1. Brief. Model or just requirements (budget, gearbox, fuel, size) — both work.
2. Candidates. We send real cars with photos, history and damage reports, each with a full landed cost.
3. Green light. You approve a specific car and total price — only then do we buy.
4. Import & legalization. Transport, customs declaration (DAV), inspection, ISV payment, Portuguese plates — the whole import service is included. What legalization involves is documented in our step-by-step legalization guide.
5. Delivery. On Portuguese plates, anywhere in mainland Portugal.
What it costs — the honest version
The total is always: car price + transport + ISV + registration + our fixed fee. ISV (the registration tax) depends on engine size and CO2 — estimate it yourself in two minutes with the ISV calculator; the annual circulation tax is separate — check the IUC calculator. We don't promise savings percentages: for some cars importing is clearly cheaper than buying locally, for others it isn't, and we tell you which case is yours before you decide. If you want the background, read is importing a car worth it? and how importing from Germany works.
Sourcing inside Portugal
Not every brief needs an import. If the right car exists on the Portuguese market at a fair price, we buy it here — same inspection, same paperwork handling, no ISV since it's already registered. You get one answer either way: the best real car for your budget, wherever it is.
Who uses this service
Mostly expats and busy professionals: people who don't read Portuguese listings, can't visit ten stands to check cars, or want a spec the local market barely stocks. If that's you, start with our sourcing page or read what else an English-speaking dealer handles for you.
Frequently asked questions
How long does car sourcing take?
Sourcing in Portugal: typically days once candidates appear. Import from EU auctions: allow several weeks door to door — auction purchase, transport, and the legalization queue (inspection, DAV, ISV, plates) each take time. We give a realistic timeline per car, not a slogan.
Do I pay anything before you find the car?
You approve the specific car and its full landed cost before the purchase happens. The structure of fees is agreed in the brief — there are no hidden percentages added later.
Can you source automatic or electric cars?
Yes — that's the most common brief we get, because automatics and EVs are scarce on the Portuguese used market. EU auctions are usually the answer.
What if the car arrives worse than described?
Auction cars come with standardised damage reports, and we inspect on arrival. As a professional dealer we're accountable for what we sell — used cars carry the legal warranty (at least 18 months in Portugal).
Is sourcing only for expensive cars?
No. The fee is fixed, so it makes sense whenever the car is scarce or the local asking prices are inflated — that happens at every budget level.