It is unlikely that anyone would dare to go to the Promised Land on an auto tour. After all, cars are not made here. Repatriates, people with permanent residence and those who often visit the country have to think about the question of how to buy a car in Israel. For various reasons, a personal vehicle may be required even by tourists who come on business, on vacation, for treatment, or to look at the local beauty and historical monuments.
Transport development
Since the founding of the Israeli state in 1948, the transport issue has had a strategic military and acute social character. The development and protection of communication lines has always been a priority for the government. The country is an industrial-agrarian country, but has reached a high level of development in all areas, and transport in Israel is reaching a modern level.
Today, when budget revenues from tourism make up a decent part of GDP, almost all types of public transport are represented in the country. But due to the complexity of the implementation of infrastructure projects due to the difficult terrain, the automotive industry remains predominant.
You can lease a car in Israel, rent or purchase a new or used car of any make and model in the usual way.
A foreigner can buy a car, but driving will require insurance that cannot be obtained without a residence permit.
The local market is open to manufacturers, dealers and traders, and the population has a trade vein, as they say, in their blood. Cars are often imported from abroad (mainly from Europe) privately or on order.
Purchasing a new machine
It is possible to buy a new car in Israel in an authorized dealer's showroom. Here the client will definitely be provided with a test drive ("do not shine a mevkhan") and a three-year warranty. If the available assortment does not satisfy, you will be offered to choose from the catalog. Bargaining is not prohibited, promotions are held, gifts and discounts are not uncommon.
The dealer is in charge of the deal. Citizen's ID (Teudat Zeut) or passport will be required. Calculation is possible in any convenient way.
Leasing and trade-in are also widespread. Both schemes work roughly as in the Russian Federation: there may be differences in the requirements for the client, but they are insignificant.
How to buy a used car
You can buy a used car in Israel:
- at a car market (the largest is in Jerusalem);
- at specialized sites, which are called "migrashim" here;
- from the hands of an ad in the media, directories "Mechiron" or the Internet through sites and social networks.
Used car dealerships are usually located in the industrial zones of large cities. There are always more options in port cities.
A large used car market in Israel is located in Haifa. Here you can count on some guarantees, but the quality of pre-sale preparation leaves much to be desired.
It is not possible to communicate with the owner. But you can see with your own eyes all the disadvantages and advantages. Loans and installments are commonplace.
Online trading is extremely widespread and popular. Local sites sell second-hand cars in Israel:
- levi-itzhak.co.il (in Hebrew);
- centro.co.il (there is a Russian version);
- yad2.co.il (Hebrew);
- 2ruka.co.il.
The latter is Russian-speaking, and it is on the prices presented there that private sellers are guided.
Deception is not excluded, so the car must be thoroughly checked before the transaction. By the way, Israelis are not very inclined to take good care of cars, so their condition can be disappointing.
On the portal called "The Central Car Market of Israel" (avtorinok.blogspot.com), you will find the widest selection and the best prices. It is not a problem to find a motorhome in Israel.
In any case, it is important to check the frequency of the inspection, which, depending on the age of the car:
- up to 15 years old ─ held annually;
- from 15 to 20 years ─ once a year with an additional check in the service;
- 20 years or more ─ every six months with additional verification.
The date of the next test is usually marked in the announcement. Average mileage is considered to be 20 thousand km per year. At the time of passing the check, the mileage is indicated in the data sheet ("richaion rehev").
The final cost of the car should be discussed only after a test drive and checking the technical condition ("bdikat rehev"). The latter in a car service costs around 500 NIS.
Registration of the transfer of ownership after purchase takes place at the post office. For a couple of hundred shekels, the new owner is entered into the temporary stub "avarat baalut", and the new registration certificate will be sent to his address. The numbers remain the same.
While the postal worker is performing the necessary operations, you can check for debts and unpaid fines: this procedure will cost 62 NIS.
Machine price
The cost of a car in Israel is determined by the same factors as elsewhere:
- model;
- year of issue;
- mileage;
- the number of owners;
- state and so on.
New ones lose in price up to 10-15% immediately after rolling out of the store gates. The prices listed in the catalog are usually just the basic ones. It is necessary to take into account additional options, and this is up to 30% more to the price.
As a result, the prices for cars in Israel will be one and a half times higher than the world average, including taxes. The buyer chooses the complete set himself, he also has the right to bargain with the salon, receive a bonus, gift or discount. The status of the repatriate will help.
Are there any discounts for returnees
Many Jews from all over the world are returning to the country. The process is supported by the state. Repatriation to Israel is accompanied by a set of measures to make it quicker and easier to adapt to new living conditions. A special support program includes benefits, benefits and discounts from the first day of stay in the country.
In particular, repatriates have the opportunity not to import an old one, but to purchase a new car cheaper by 10-30%, depending on the class, engine size and initial cost. But you cannot sell it for 5 years.
Tax and insurance
The sale of cars in Israel has its own procedure. Immediately after the re-registration of ownership rights, you cannot drive. First you need to take out insurance:
- compulsory ("battles of hova") is a variant of the Russian OSAGO, without which even driving on the road is prohibited. It is issued for a year and costs around 1300-3000 NIS. By the way, you can order and pay for the policy by phone, and receive a photocopy by email;
- full ("battles of the Makif") ─ an analogue of CASCO, which is done at will. This will cost twice as much.
Separately, damage to third parties is covered by the "tsad gimel" policy. This policy costs roughly as mandatory. The price depends on the driving experience, age and frequency of use of the car (holidays and weekends are especially taken into account).
There are many insurance companies, but the Israeli post has its own.
There are insurers who separately stipulate:
- broken glass;
- a towing service in the event of a breakdown ("grar");
- theft of multimedia systems.
Each item costs about 100 shekels a year and after each insured event the policy rises in price.
The cost of cars in Israel is strongly influenced by the tax system.
Ownership tax is required annually, the amount of which depends on the make, power and year of manufacture of the car.
Without this, it is impossible to pass the obligatory annual technical inspection, and the penalties for its absence are quite significant. The price of the test is about 600-1,500 NIS.
Ownership cost
The average salary in the country is lower than in Europe, and taxes are higher, so life in Israel is not so easy. The motorist will have to consider the following costs:
- insurance ─ $ 100-130 per month;
- taxes ─ approximately 2.5% of the value (for a new car) for the first three years;
- inspection and maintenance ─ in the region of $ 400, plus about $ 160 for every 15 thousand kilometers.
To this must be added the costs of washing (10 shekels), spare parts, fuel, a liter of which costs about $ 1, parking and toll roads.
The cost of a car and its maintenance in Israel, together, make your own vehicle low-profit. And if we add the probable fines and repairs after accidents, the picture is not at all rosy.
Car rental in Israel
If there is no decent work and no savings, it turns out that it is better to use a rental service. Here it is available to everyone: both citizens and tourists, from the age of 21 to the 75th. Driving experience must be at least 1-2 years. A driver's license, passport and MasterCard or Visa credit card are required.
Car rental in Israel is provided by both local and international companies: Budget, Avis and Sixt. The most popular company in the country is local Eldan.
The cost of a small car starts at $ 32, the mileage is limited to 200-250 km per day. Otherwise, everything is standard, but there are some peculiarities:
- VAT 17% for citizens of the country;
- airport tax 27-29 dollars is not always included in the cost and is paid additionally;
- leaving the country is prohibited or allowed for an additional fee;
- on Shabbat car rental companies are closed, except for those located at Ben Gurion Airport.
Conclusions
There is no reason to expect that a car in Israel will be inexpensive. When you plan to permanently live in the country, it makes sense to buy a car. Exporting it to Russia is economically inexpedient.
Acquisition for temporary use is possible, but then you have to hire a driver or ask for a favor from local relatives.
