Buying a car on Bonaire
Want to buy a car on Bonaire? Here are the things you should pay attention to
On Bonaire, you have to use a different method for buying a car than in other countries. For example, the local climate plays a decisive role in your choice. And a BMW lowrider will not make you happy here. Why not? We will tell you everything you need to know. Find out what you have to pay attention to if you want to buy a car on Bonaire.
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Don’t be tempted by shiny paint or smooth bodywork. The chassis is much more important on an island like Bonaire. It does not matter if the car has a few rust patches. If the suspension is in order, you will have a reliable partner. Minerals splashed by the wind and rain can corrode a car’s bottom plate in no time at all.
Ideal: a pick-up truck
Because of all the splashing minerals, a lowrider will not last long on the island. It’s better to go for a model with adequate space between the chassis and the road surface. A pick-up truck is ideal. The bed of a pick-up truck has enough space for groceries, diving gear and a whole lot of other stuff as well. Most pick-ups also have a double cabin so that friends and family can drive with you comfortably.
Pat attention to the age
Bonaire does not have a MOT or roadworthiness certificate. This also means that cars that fail the MOT in, for example, the Netherlands are sent to the island for a second lease of life. What you think is a relatively new used car could be as much 15 years old. So try to find out how long the car has been on the road and then decide if it is worth the asking price. The cars we sell are a maximum of five years old.
Car make
Most of the cars on Bonaire belong to rental companies like AB Car Rental that take care of specialist maintenance themselves. Because of the size of the island, the number of car repair centres and their stocks of materials are obviously limited. If your BMW or Mercedes breaks down, you will usually have to have spare parts flown in. And doing that will make a pretty deep hole in your pocket. For this reason, it’s always better to choose a car make and model that you see all over the island.
Drop in at AB Car Rental
AB Car Rental is also the best place to buy a car on Bonaire. Our rental cars not only look good, they really are good. Before we sell them to our customers, we give them a full service and recoat the underside with anti-corrosion Tectyl. All our models are “Bonaire-proof”, and have air conditioning and comfortable seats. We also keep most common spare parts in stock. Take a look at our assortment.
