Two offers may have similar prices and completely different final costs. With a car from China, transport, customs clearance, duty, preparation for registration, finance and the car's condition after collection all make a difference. The instalment therefore comes last in the calculation.
The key decision before taking the next step
Compare the cost of a car ready to drive in Poland, not just the advertised price. Only that amount is a suitable basis for calculating the instalment.
What to check before deciding
- Establish the vehicle price after currency conversion and adding the agreed costs.
- Add transport, customs clearance, duty, unloading, documents and optional insurance.
- Check the initial payment, finance term, interest rate and buyout.
- Add initial servicing, tyres, diagnostics and any repairs.
- Compare options with and without delivery insurance.
- Allow a buffer for exchange-rate differences and charges that arise after collection.
Costs and risks you must not overlook
A proper calculation should show three levels: the car price, the cost of importing it and the cost of finance. Without this, it is easy to choose an offer that looks cheap only in the first column.
| Item | What it means in practice | When it increases risk |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle price | The amount for the car under the agreed calculation method | When it is unclear whether VAT is included or excluded |
| Import cost | Delivery, customs clearance, duty, unloading, insurance | When some costs are hidden or estimated |
| Finance cost | Instalments, initial contribution, buyout and fees | When you compare only the monthly instalment |
When it is worth pursuing the offer
- You can see the full calculation before making a payment.
- The instalment is calculated using the same basis as the total cost.
- It is clear which charges are fixed and which depend on the exchange rate.
- The car remains attractive once costs are added.
When it is better to stop the purchase
- The offer shows only the car price without import costs.
- It is unclear whether amounts include VAT, exclude VAT or are estimates.
- The buyout or initial payment is left out of the discussion.
- There is no allowance for servicing after collection.
How AzjaAuto helps reduce risk
At this stage, an advisor's value lies in helping you reach a well-informed decision before paying, not in promising the lowest price. With a car from China, the most expensive mistakes usually occur when a customer interprets the listing, documents, trim, costs or collection terms alone, without the full context. AzjaAuto helps you work through this stage with greater confidence and on the basis of specific information.
- organises the listing information and separates facts from marketing descriptions
- checks documents, trim, equipment and risks before payment
- calculates the total cost so the customer does not decide on the advertised price alone
- helps compare a specific vehicle with alternatives available in Poland or through import
- identifies when an offer is safe to discuss further and when it is better to walk away
How to assess a specific offer
The simplest method is a spreadsheet with three sections: vehicle, import and finance. Only if the car still makes sense after entering all the figures is it worth comparing it with other models.
To compare available cars, start with the current car listings. For a specific vehicle, it is worth discussing the documents, trim, risks and total purchase cost by contacting an AzjaAuto advisor before deciding to make a payment. You can also find more guides in the articles section.
FAQ
Is the advertised price enough to calculate the instalment?
No. The instalment should be calculated from the actual amount to be financed, after including the costs that are to form part of the purchase.
Is it worth adding a buffer?
Yes. Exchange rates, transport, servicing and documents can change the result, so a calculation without a buffer is too optimistic.
Is it worth assessing this kind of offer on your own?
You can, but it is easy to overlook a cost or risk that is not visible in the listing. An advisor helps check the documents, trim, costs and each party's responsibilities before payment.
What should you prepare before speaking to AzjaAuto?
Ideally, have the listing link, photos, price, basic vehicle details, finance information and questions about collection or import ready. This makes it quicker to assess whether the offer makes sense.
When can AzjaAuto make a real difference?
Most of all, when the decision has not yet been made. Checking before payment helps identify problems with the trim, documents, final cost, servicing or finance.