Work out what you can spend in total, not just the price of the car. Include registration and transfer fees, insurance, an inspection, and a reserve for early repairs. A budget with room in it keeps you from stretching for a car that needs money spent on it straight away.
Decide on the body type, gearbox, engine size and the number of years you plan to keep the car. Then shortlist two or three models and read about their known problems. Knowing the weak points of a model tells you what to look at during the inspection. If you are weighing a new car against a used one, read new car prices in Egypt versus buying used.
Look at several listings for the same model and note the asking prices, so you know the range before you speak to a seller. We describe the places to look in where to buy a used car in Cairo, and how to check a fair price in used car prices in Egypt.
See the car in daylight with the seller present. Ask to see the original registration paper, the current technical inspection certificate and proof that fines and fees have been paid. Check that the seller’s name matches the registration, and that the chassis and engine numbers on the car match the paperwork.
Before you pay any deposit, have the car inspected by someone who has no interest in the sale. A proper inspection looks at the chassis, paint thickness, engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electrics and the computer, then gives you a written report. See the pre-purchase car inspection guide for what is covered.
At Guarantee Car Service, you can bring the car to our centre in Nasr City or have an engineer come to the car through our mobile inspection. We do not sell or repair cars.
If the report is clean, you can buy with confidence. If it lists issues, use them to negotiate the price or ask the seller to fix them before the sale. If it shows a serious problem such as a damaged chassis, walk away. There will be other cars.
Put the agreement on paper: the names of both parties, the car details, the price, the date and what is included. A local legal adviser or notary can help you draft or check it. Keep a copy.
In general, the buyer and seller, or their authorised representatives, go to the traffic department to complete the transfer of ownership. The car is usually checked, fines and fees must be settled, and a new registration is issued. Requirements can differ by governorate, so ask in advance which documents you need to bring.
Do not pay the full price and take the car without the transfer being recorded. Until it is, the seller is still the legal owner.
Insurance does not move from the seller to you, so arrange your own policy. Third-party insurance is the legal minimum, and many buyers also choose comprehensive cover. Check what each policy covers before you choose.
We are an inspection company, not a legal adviser, so check the procedure for transfer with the traffic department or a lawyer. What we can do is confirm the chassis and engine numbers on the car against the papers you are shown.
Most of these come down to the same thing: rushing a decision that deserves time. If one step feels uncertain, slow down and ask.
Foreign buyers have one extra step at the start: confirming that their residence status allows them to register a car in their own name. We cover this and the other issues that matter most to newcomers in buying a used car in Egypt: a foreigner’s guide.
Before you pay for any car, read what to inspect on a used car so you know which checks come first.
Call or message us on WhatsApp at +20 122 237 3204 (01222373204) with the make, model, year and location of the car. We confirm the price and a time before you move.
Buying a Car in Egypt 
Buying a Car in Egypt 
Buying a Car in Egypt 
Buying a Car in Egypt 
