Industry representative warns: Chinese cars may be cheap to buy but hard to repair

Cars made by Chinese manufacturers are becoming increasingly visible in the European and Latvian markets, drawing buyers with attractive pricing, generous equipment packages and modern design. However, Kaspars Viļumsons, head of auto and moto spare parts trader "Inter Cars Latvija", stresses that the decision to buy such a car should be based on more than the initial cost alone.

What happens after the purchase

According to Viļumsons, the key question buyers should ask themselves before purchasing a Chinese-made car is what happens if the vehicle needs repairs. He notes that waiting times for repairs on these cars can turn out to be considerably longer than for models from established European or other manufacturers, in some cases reaching as long as a year.

Spare parts availability

One of the main reasons for the lengthy repair times is the availability of spare parts. According to the industry representative, not all Chinese car parts have an established, stable supply chain in Europe, meaning certain components may need to be awaited for extended periods. This can cause inconvenience for car owners who, after an accident or damage, are left without a vehicle for longer than they would be if they had chosen a brand with an established service and parts supply network in the region.

Advice for buyers

Viļumsons urges potential buyers to consider, before making a decision, not only the car's price and appearance but also how easily and quickly they will be able to access service and spare parts in the future. This consideration is becoming increasingly relevant given that the presence of Chinese car brands in the market continues to grow, with more consumers weighing these models as an alternative to traditional manufacturers.