Buying Our First Car in Brazil: 11 Tips for Expats

My husband and I just bought our first car in Brazil after spending a couple of months researching dealerships, comparing vehicles, and learning how things work here. I wanted to share what we learned to help other expats who might be going through the same process.

First, a little background: I'm Brazilian-American. I was born in Brazil, lived in the US for 20 years, and recently moved back to Brazil with my family. Although I speak Portuguese, I consider myself more American than Brazilian at this point, so navigating certain things here has been an adjustment!

Here are 11 things I wish we'd known before starting our car search.

1. Start your search on Webmotors

Webmotors.com.br is similar to Cars.com or AutoTrader in the US. My husband and I looked at several websites, but we found Webmotors to be more organized and easier to navigate.

It's a good place to compare vehicles, prices, and dealerships before deciding where to go.

2. Check Google reviews before contacting a dealership

This is a BIG one!

My husband and I noticed that some dealerships either weren't listed on Google or had their reviews turned off. In our experience, those were red flags, and the places we encountered that had these characteristics didn't turn out well.

Once you find a car you like on Webmotors, look up the dealership on Google and read the reviews before contacting them.

I recommend screening the dealership first, then starting a conversation on WhatsApp.

3. Get a Brazilian phone number if you don't have one yet

Once you find a car you want to see or test-drive, you'll likely communicate with the salesperson through WhatsApp.

Having a Brazilian number can make the process easier and help you blend in a little more. I can't guarantee that using a foreign number will affect the price, but I personally preferred to avoid immediately advertising that I was an expat (we don't want the "gringo prices" right?)

4. You don't need to announce that you're a foreigner in your first message

When you first contact a dealership, keep the conversation simple and focused on the car.

If your Portuguese isn't strong, use Google Translate or ask a Brazilian friend to help you communicate. If your spouse or partner speaks Portuguese, they can also help with the conversation.

The goal isn't to pretend to be someone you're not. It's simply to do your research and understand your options before making any decisions.

5. Don't be afraid to negotiate

I'll be honest: we found negotiating more difficult here in southern Brazil than we were accustomed to in the US.

Some sellers are firm on their prices, while others may have more room to negotiate. We found that medium-sized and larger dealerships were sometimes more open to a conversation about price.

You can also check the Tabela FIPE, which provides reference prices for vehicles in Brazil. Think of it as a rough equivalent to the Kelley Blue Book in the US.

Just keep in mind that FIPE is a reference, not a guaranteed selling price, and dealers may be unwilling to go below it.

6. Ask about negotiating BEFORE visiting the dealership

I wish we'd known this from the beginning!

If you like a car but think the price is too high, ask the salesperson on WhatsApp whether there's any room for negotiation before making the trip.

You can say:

"Olá! Tenho interesse nesse carro. O valor é negociável?"

(Hi! I'm interested in this car. Is the price negotiable?)

It's a simple question that could save you time and an unnecessary trip.

7. Arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection BEFORE buying

In Portuguese, this is called an avaliação pré-compra.

Please don't skip this step!

A car can look beautiful on the outside and still have mechanical problems you won't notice during a test drive.

Before committing to a purchase, tell the salesperson you'd like to have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic. Ideally, choose a mechanic who isn't affiliated with the dealership.

8. Find a reputable mechanic near the dealership

Once my husband and I found a car we wanted to investigate further, we looked up the dealership's address and searched for nearby mechanics who offered pre-purchase inspections.

We prioritized mechanics with strong Google reviews.

Ask the salesperson whether they're willing to make the car available for the inspection and coordinate the logistics before scheduling it.

In our experience, the salesperson was generally willing to wait while the inspection was completed.

Prices can vary depending on the location and the type of inspection. We found prices ranging from around R$150 to R$300, and we even paid R$450 for one inspection in southern Brazil.

That R$450 inspection was absolutely worth it because the car turned out not to be a good option!

Spending a few hundred reais upfront can save you from a much more expensive problem later.

9. Ask the mechanic for pictures, videos, and a clear explanation

The mechanic will often send pictures and videos showing the vehicle's condition and explain any problems they find.

If you're not fluent in Portuguese, this is where having a Brazilian friend or someone you trust who speaks the language can be incredibly helpful.

Have them help you understand the mechanic's findings before deciding whether to move forward.

Remember, an inspection can help identify potential issues, but it doesn't guarantee that a car is free of every possible problem.

10. Bring someone who speaks Portuguese when you visit

By the time my husband and I visited the dealership, we'd already researched the car, discussed the price, and arranged the inspection.

That made us feel much more prepared!

If you're still learning Portuguese, bring someone who can help you understand the salesperson, ask questions, and clarify anything you're unsure about.

Even if you speak some Portuguese, having someone there to help with unfamiliar automotive terms can make a big difference.

11. Have someone help you review the paperwork before signing

Once you've chosen your car, take your time reviewing the purchase agreement and any other documents before signing.

If you're not completely comfortable with Portuguese, bring someone who can help you understand the terms, fees, and transfer process.

Don't feel pressured to sign anything you don't fully understand.Ask questions and make sure everything you've agreed upon is reflected in the paperwork.

One additional tip: if you're buying a used car, make sure you understand the vehicle's documentation and ownership-transfer requirements before finalizing the purchase.

I hope this helps another expat!

My husband and I learned a lot throughout this process, and I wanted to share our experience in case it saves another family some time, money, or unnecessary stress.

Buying a car in another country can feel overwhelming, especially when you're still learning how things work. Do your research, ask questions, and don't be afraid to take your time.

One final thought: never feel obligated to buy a car just because you've already invested time or money in the process. If something doesn't feel right, walk away. There will always be another car.

By the way, I've also recently started an Instagram account called Postcards from Heidy, where I share photos, experiences, and honest thoughts about places I visit in Brazil. It's a personal project where I want to share the beautiful parts of living and traveling here, along with my honest observations about the experience.

If you're interested, you can find me here:

Instagram: ****

I hope my experiences can help other people exploring Brazil, whether you're living here or just visiting!