In this guide
To choose a car dealership in San Lorenzo, decide first whether you want a new or a used car, ask two or three dealers for the same vehicle with cash and financed prices in writing, and pay no deposit until you have seen the papers and had the car checked. San Lorenzo has plenty of supply and sits right next to Asunción, so comparing costs little and can save a lot.
Where to compare in San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo is about 9 km from Asunción. Ruta PY02 crosses its east side and Avenida Mariscal López its north-west, and the Julia Miranda Cueto de Estigarribia and Mariscal Estigarribia avenues carry much of its commerce (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It borders Luque, Ñemby, Capiatá and Fernando de la Mora, so several markets are within a short drive:
- Along the PY02 and the commercial avenues: search your phone's map for "concesionaria" and "playa de autos" with "San Lorenzo" and save three options for the same type of vehicle.
- Asunción and neighbouring cities: more brands and new-car stock. Ask on WhatsApp for photos, mileage and an all-in price before you go.
- All brands in one place, once a year: the Cadam Motor Show gathers more than 40 brands with bank, finance-company and cooperative deals; in 2026 it ran at Paseo La Galería in Asunción until 9 August (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
Ask where servicing is done. If the official workshop is across Mariscal López or the PY02, factor in traffic: according to Wikipedia, some 850,000 people enter and leave San Lorenzo every day.
New or used?
- New: 38,611 new vehicles were imported in 2025 and more than half were SUVs, according to dealers' chamber Cadam (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Any warranty must be in writing, with coverage and duration (Law 1334/98, art. 11 (opens in a new tab)).
- Used: if a car is used, rebuilt or defective, the seller must say so precisely and clearly (art. 12 (opens in a new tab)). Law 4333/2011 limits used imports to ten years old, but a Supreme Court ruling let older ones keep coming in (ABC Color, 2017 (opens in a new tab)), so check the year of manufacture on the documents, not by looks.
- Price and invoice: prices must be in guaraníes with taxes included (art. 10 (opens in a new tab)), and an invoice is mandatory for every sale (opens in a new tab). If quoted in dollars, ask for the total in guaraníes.
Papers to see
- Public deed: a vehicle can only be transferred by deed; a private contract cannot transfer it (Vehicle Registry, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Choose your own notary.
- Registry certificate: shows the owner and liens such as pledges or seizures. It is issued within ten days and valid for thirty, no new seizures can be registered while it is valid, and the Registry blocks registration if the chassis is listed as stolen (Acordada 503/2007 (opens in a new tab)).
- Used car: deed, certificate of title and restrictions, inspection certificate and municipal patente (Judiciary (opens in a new tab)).
- New or never-registered import: deed, nationalisation certificate and inspection certificate (Judiciary (opens in a new tab)).
The police check is close by
In July 2026 the police warned that cars stolen in Brazil are sold in Paraguay repainted or modified and with forged papers, mainly through social media; Toyota Fortuner and Hilux were the most seized (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Their advice is a full check at the National Police Departamento de Control de Automotores, Paz del Chaco corner Urundey, Santa Lucía, Lambaré, phone (021) 302 820 or 302 229. From San Lorenzo it is a morning's errand: call ahead for hours and pay nothing until you have the result.
If you finance through the dealer
Law 1334/98 (opens in a new tab) (art. 29) requires every credit sale to state the cash price, interest and rate, surcharges, number and frequency of instalments, the total payable and what happens on default. Under article 30 you can pay off early with a proportional cut in interest. With that sheet from each dealer, compare the total, not the instalment.
The test drive
- Drive it at rush hour on an avenue with traffic lights: brakes, clutch or automatic gearbox and engine temperature show up in stop-start traffic.
- Test the air conditioning idling and on the move.
- Ask to take it to your own mechanic before signing. A serious dealer will not refuse.
FAQ
How do I choose a car dealership in San Lorenzo?
Ask two or three dealers for the same vehicle with cash and financed prices in writing, ask where servicing is done, and pay no deposit until you have seen the papers and had the car checked.
Which papers do I need for a used car?
A transfer deed, a certificate of title and restrictions, an inspection certificate and the municipal patente. A transfer is only valid by public deed.
Where can I check a car is not stolen?
At the National Police Departamento de Control de Automotores, Paz del Chaco corner Urundey, Lambaré, close to San Lorenzo. Call ahead for hours.
Can I pay off dealer finance early?
Yes. Article 30 of Law 1334/98 lets you repay early with a proportional reduction in interest.
