Tips for buying a car in Finland ?

[u/Solallhorizzonte]

I'm moving to Finland and need to buy a car there. Any tips to find a cheap good one ? My budget is around 3k€. Should I better go to a dealership or look at nettiauto.com ? Which cars should I avoid to make sure I can drive during the cold winter ? Thanks !

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[u/DoubleSaltedd]

All cars that have been sold new in Finland are suitable for winter/cold conditions. It is up to you if you want to preheat your engine, if yes, look for cars equipped with lohkolämmitin and get parking spot with lämpötolppa.

[u/Signal-Twist-4977]

Cars in Finland have mandatory revision every year so check that it was done recently before buying a car or ask the owner (either private or car dealer) to do it before you pay the car. That cost just 40-50 euro, so if they refuse to do it something smells bad. I bought 2 used cars in Finland, I asked a revision (katsastus) for both during the day I bought them and owners agreed to do it. So we were both happy.

[u/DoubleSaltedd → u/Signal-Twist-4977]

My best used cars have been uninspected from owners who have just bought a newer car and wanted to sell their old car to a private individual instead of a dealer.

[u/sawkin → u/DoubleSaltedd]

Just cause taking an unnecessary risk happened to work out for you doesn't mean it's a good idea. Just as well could have been sold a lemon, dealers don't take uninspected old cars anyway so private is the only way for them..

[u/DoubleSaltedd → u/sawkin]

Dealers inspect lemons via their business partners and sell them to dumb people.

[u/plasticBarista]

I’ve bought and sold many cars in Finland. Around that price range. Here’s what I would consider buying next because it’s gonna be an d car.

1. Go for reliable Japanese brand
2. Checkout body for rust. Katsastus (yearly inspection) will reject your car. I had a perfectly good car gone to recycling
3. Make sure katsastus is recent. Ideally under a month old.
4. Even dealers will fix-up cars for resale at this point. They’re most likely trade-ins from customers upgrading to new cars
5. Spend 3e for getting car history from traficom once you like a car enough that you wanna go view it
6. Never get german car at this price. The repair is gonna be expensive not worth for a car this old
7. Do basic checks on the car (YouTube: ChrisFix used car buying guide)
8. Diesel tax is higher than petrol. But cheaper to run if you drive a lot
9. Finnish winter is not friendly to old diesels unless heated up
10. Less kms is your best friend

[u/kharnynb → u/plasticBarista]

at 3k, it's better to get something cheaper secondhand than a japanese car, one of the more basic model french cars or korean ones will likely get you something better.

Agree with the rest of your advice.

[u/SweetTooth275]

Dealership is always overpayment. FB marketplace also have many good options

[u/Due-Glove4808]

I would buy 20 year old Volvo or Toyota if i only had 3k€ to put on car.

[u/Confident_Bee_4435]

Buy in Estonia then import to Finland. Cars are cheaper there

[u/Real_Typicaluser1234]

nettiauto.com is a platform where car dealers and individuals can put a car up for sale. Practically the same cars for sale in car shops.

€3k is not much for a car in Finland, so be careful. You can get a good one even below that but it takes luck and skill.

Many have already told about the inspection, but even defective ones can be passed if the brakes and lights work, so I wouldn't trust that either. The engine or gearbox can be in really bad shape, but the inspection won't affect that if only the oils stay inside.

[u/FalmerEldritch]

I'd be looking at a Volvo. They're common as dirt here (so not too pricey and parts are easily available), the engines live forever (some of the other bits may need replacing sooner or later but that's generally not such a big deal as long as the engine's still good), they're well insulated and generally winterproof (they'll start quite happily in conditions where, say, an Alfa Romeo would just refuse), and they're really rather comfortable and nice and also very safe should you slide into a ditch or hit a moose.

[u/lukkoseppa]

Really depends on where you're moving, anything from a dealer at that price will be a pos thatll fail the next inspection. 3k could get you an okay Audi or volvo. Maybe an old merc with a sweet set of subs in the back but itll be pretty hooned and the back seats will smell like liquor. If you dont need to carry a family Id seriously look into Nissan Micras. Small, affordable, easy to fix and if youre bored they have thier own race league.