Buying a car in Mauritius as an expat

Planning to buy a car in Mauritius? Whether you are living in the island permanently or planning to stay for several years, having your own vehicle can make everyday life and exploring Mauritius much easier. From importing a vehicle to buying new or second-hand, there are several options to consider, each with its own costs and practicalities. Here's what you need to know to buy a car in Mauritius.

Before getting behind the wheel, take a look at our guide to driving in Mauritius as an expat, covering everything from local road rules and foreign driving licences to getting your Mauritian licence.

Importing a vehicle to Mauritius

Importing your own vehicle is rarely the most practical option. The process is lengthy and expensive, and left-hand-drive vehicles must be converted before they can be driven legally in Mauritius. Unless you are importing a classic car or a vehicle with strong sentimental value, you will usually be better off renting or buying locally.

Renting a car VS Buying a car

If you are staying in Mauritius for a few months or simply want time to settle in before buying a vehicle, renting is an excellent option. It is a popular choice among many expatriates when they first arrive on the island. Check out our article about renting a car in Mauritius.

Buying a car in Mauritius

If you are planning to stay in Mauritius for several years, buying a vehicle is usually more cost-effective than renting.

New cars are available from authorised dealers and distributors representing all the major manufacturers in Mauritius: for exemple Axess (distributes Suzuki, Mazda, Ford, Jaguar, Defender, Discovery, Range Rover, Citroën, Peugeot, Isuzu, and XPENG), CFAO (distributes Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki, Mitsubishi Fuso, Omoda & Jaecoo) and At.io (distributes Smart & Dongfeng). Buying new gives you the benefit of a manufacturer's warranty, after-sales support and assistance with the administrative formalities.

Second-hand cars are best purchased through a professional. Companies such as ByTheWay offer a wide selection of inspected used vehicles, facilitate private sales and handle the paperwork. Many dealerships also sell used vehicles, offering the same guarantees and support.

If you decide to buy directly from a private seller, you will find listings on Facebook Marketplace, specialised websites such as bestdeals.mu, lexpresscars.mu ou mycar.mu, and by word of mouth. While this can be a good way to find a bargain, it also carries more risk. Always have the vehicle inspected by an independent garage before completing the purchase.

Vehicle registration

When purchasing a new or used car from a professional dealer, the registration process is usually handled on your behalf with the National Land Transport Authority (NLTA) and the Registrar General's Department.

Buying directly from a private seller means you will need to complete the registration yourself or appoint a specialised company to do it on your behalf. Make sure you collect the vehicle registration book, the Fitness certificate and two original copies of the deed of sale from the seller.

NLTA Port Louis 
www.nlta.govmu.org/Pages/Procedures/Registration • +230 202 2800 

Compulsory "Fitness" test

In Mauritius, the compulsory roadworthiness test is known as the "Fitness". It becomes mandatory once a vehicle reaches seven years of age: every two years for vehicles aged 7 to 11 years, annually from 11 to 20 years, and every six months thereafter.

Car Examination Centre
‍Autocheck, Plaine Lauzin • +230 286 7741
‍SGS, Forest Side • +230 602 1200
Eastern VES, Laventure • +230 650 1000