HELP Buying and driving own car in Mongolia

I think it is better to rent a car rather than buy it. It may be a problem to sell it when you leave Mongolia.
Mikhail.

In most countries it is impossible these days to buy a car unless you have residency. In addition because of the lack of infrastructure and poor to no roads, few gas stations, etc I can't imagine where you think that you would be driving without a guide.

Ruth

Hi,
it depends on how long you will stay in Mongolia.
You can buy a car and sell it later. That is not the problem. It's a day's paperwork....
I think it's better to rent a car for the time you are here.

Just to make sure you understand conditions.

1. There are NO road signs. OK, maybe one or two. In the whole country, which is the size of the western USA or Western Europe.
2. Very, very few people speak English outside the capital.
3. If you have a breakdown you could be a 1-3 days from a repair shop
4. There are only a handful of paved roads in the whole country
5. The best maps are in Mongolian, not in English, and I have serious questions about how useful a GPS is going to be if you don't know where you are going.

I have a friebd who from italy joined mongolia last summer maybe this is a ggod solution for you?

to import is not good as really expensive, he first thought to taker this option, and also not so save if you have to send the car by russia! by boat take 40/50 days and you must be there when arrives car

I can give you the address of my italian freind and so can ask him more about his trip?

also on UB we have friends who can help you to hire or rent a jeep or give you a guide to travel by your own with a guide so you are sure to not loose your way
have fun in Mongolia

If you don't speak Mongolian then driving your own card outside of the city can pose many problems. The gas stations are far and few and almost impossible to identify. Even if you do you have to speak to someone in the village/town to get gas, as they don't operate 24/7.

Also because of the condition or lack thereof the roads without language skills you will not be able to navigate the countryside where often you have to ask for directions and guidance.

Your best bet is hiring a driver with his own russian UAZ suv. The most reliable car in the countryside. Also if you don't speak the language it might be impossible to repair vehicles out in the country since they break down a lot on the rough roads.

Hi,
You should listen to the other posts above, except if you have already really well prepared your itinerary and you are equipped with GPS, and detailed maps and with someone that speaks mongolian, and with someone that knows everything about DIY car repair..
It is not that I want to spoil your illusions, but I have taken quite often the mongol minivan public transports on long distances and everytime I have seen experienced mongol drivers losing their way (no tracks at all) or breakdown in middle of nowhere. For example, in february, it took me 30 hours to do the 700 km that separates UB to the north of Mongolia, Hovsgol... The first time I took this kind of transport, we had a fire engine and we got stuck in the snow, second experience we were out of gas, third time a stone exploded the tank and we had to find any container we could find to collect the gas because of course there were no gas station a 100 km around, etc, etc...and I don't count the flat tires.. And everytime, we have not met one single car or anyone that could have helped. The guys had to do the repair by themselves or went by foot in the countryside to try to find some nomads that perhaps have some gas... So, well, one advice, try to find a driver and that knows well the countryside. He will probably charge you with something around T300 per km.. For even more comfort, you can go to guesthouses in UB that can provide you a driver and maybe a guide that speaks other languages than mongol or russian.
Have fun. Bayartai.
Nathalie.