Expatriate Car In Singapore

If you are an expatriate and want to drive a car in Singapore, this article will be your best guide to get an expatriate car in Singapore. There are four ways for an expatriate to drive a car in Singapore: importing a car, leasing, renting, and buying a new car. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages and this article will explain to you briefly about each option.

The first option is importing your car to Singapore. Actually importing a car to Singapore is not a recommended choice. There are two obvious reasons not to consider importing your car. The first reason is that there are many strict requirements that your car must meet in order to be able to be imported. The second reason is that the import duties are quite high in Singapore. Moreover, the process may take a while, and may not be worthwhile the effort especially if you are only staying in Singapore for a short period of time. As a general guide, if you are staying in Singapore for less than 3 years, it is advisable not to import your car.

However, if you would really prefer to import your car, some of the common requirements that you need to know include:- your car must be less than 3 years old from the first date of registration; your car is subject to S$10,000 surcharge; your car needs to pass inspection from the LTA, your car’s air conditioning must be CFC-free; etc. While it may seem troublesome to import your car, there are experts in Singapore like M9 Automobile Pte Ltd which can handle the entire process for you and make it hassle-free.

Buying a new or pre-owned car is a better option for expatriate car in Singapore, although the process of buying a new car may also seem complicated to expatriates. All newly launched cars are widely available and it is also easy to find pre-owned cars in Singapore. If you want to buy a car, what you need to consider include: OMV (Open Market Value) of the car, basic Registration Fee (around S$140), Additional Registration Fee (ARF), excise duty, 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the COE (Certificate of Entitlement).

Singapore government uses the COE system to control the number of cars on the road. A new COE document has to be bidded for, and is usually valid for ten years, and it can be extended for another five years without renewal option. In order to get the COE document, you can handle it on your own or you can get a car dealer to help you. You should also buy auto insurance for the car as it is required by the law. Buying a car is a good option if you stay here for more than 3 years.

Leasing a car is also a good option, especially if you work on a fixed-term contract. Many rental companies provide customizable leasing agreement to meet your employment contract. Leasing a car also enables you to use the car in Malaysia. Leasing a car is considered as the least expensive way for expatriates to drive a car in Singapore. The minimum contract for leasing a car is around 2 years. If you are staying in Singapore for a duration shorter than that, then the best option is for you to rent a car. As buying a car is out of consideration when you are in Singapore for such a short duration, and a leasing contract would require commitment for a longer period of time.

In conclusion, buying, leasing and renting a car are three best ways for an expatriate like you to drive a car in Singapore. The key is to find an expert company that will provide you with the best service, best rate, and complete information catering to your needs. M9 Automobile Pte Ltd serves as your one-stop centre for all matters relating to your motoring needs, from import/export, buying, leasing, renting and car insurance service. Have the experts to handle your motoring needs for you without the headaches of studying into the rules, regulations and process. M9 will advise you on the process, address all your enquiries and handle your request expediently.

Call or visit M9 Automobile Pte Ltd today to get your expatriate car in Singapore.