The importation is prohibited for registration of used vehicles established in Article 5 of the Transit Law such as, total loss, removed from circulation in their country of origin, unauthorized structural joints, altered odometers or right-hand drive, that have been declared in total loss in their country of origin or that do not comply with certain parameters that protect the final beneficiary as purchaser of the same in our country, explained the Ministry of Finance.

You may be interested in "Vehicles: What are the Leading Brands in the Region?"

From the Ministry of Finance statement:

As of this November 6, the changes in the Manual of Procedures for the inspection of Vehicles in bonded warehouses and eventually in ports, which will verify the conditions under which the import is prohibited for the registration of used vehicles established in Article 5 of the Transit Law such as, total loss, taken out of circulation in your country of origin, unauthorized structural joints, altered or right-hand drive odometers, that have been declared in total loss in your country of origin or that do not meet certain parameters that protect the final beneficiary as the purchaser of the same in our country.

The amendment to this manual establishes clear functions for the entities in charge of inspection for the nationalization and registration of used vehicles. The National Customs Service, the Ministry of Finance, the Road Safety Council (COSEVI) and the Vice-Ministry of Transport of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport actively participated in its preparation.

Read full statement (In Spanish).

More on this topic

Used vehicles: Controversy Over Import Controls

February 2019

Arguing that the objective is to ensure that used cars into Costa Rica are in optimal condition, the new Customs authorities are tightening controls on imported units.

Importers of used vehicles in Costa Rica report that since the new General Director of Customs took office in January this year, is promoting a new guideline that generates uncertainty in the sector.

Nicaragua: Automotive Spare Parts Business is Growing

May 2017

In 2016 the imported value of spare parts for vehicles totaled $37 million, 9% more than the imports recorded in 2015.

Figures from the information system on the Auto Parts and Accessories Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData 

Automotive Market in El Salvador

June 2016

The vehicle fleet grew from 713,000 vehicles in 2010 to 925,000 in 2015, of which 70% were used vehicles.

In the Salvadoran vehicle fleet used vehicles predominate. Of every ten vehicles that came into the country in 2015, seven were used, the vast majority coming from the United States.

Guatemala: Initial Vehicle Registration Tax

May 2012

With COMIECO’s elimination of tariffs on vehicle imports, the First Registration Tax (Iprima in Spanish) on automobiles will be applied.

Sergio de la Torre, The Minister of Economy announced that now "Iprima can come into effect".

The official version, according Prensalibre.com, reads: "The Iprima was created with decree 10-2012, Tax Update Act to replace the import tariffs on vehicles, and the Ministry of Finance argues that the Iprima will eliminate discretion and gives legal certainty in order to define the basis for calculating the tax. "