Unlike some other islands, there are no size restrictions on cars in Cayman (except Hummers, which cannot be wider than 6.7ft). Almost every make of car, whether new or used, is available to purchase and you can own as many cars as you want.
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There are dealers who sell new cars at competitive prices.
Plus a few of the rental agencies such as Avis Cico and Budget sell their three-year old American and Japanese models every year and you can usually pick up a great deal.
New Carskeyboard_arrow_right
There are dealers who sell new cars at competitive prices.
Unlike some countries, there are no size restrictions on cars in Cayman (except Hummers, which cannot be wider than 6.7ft). Almost every make of car is available to purchase and you can own as many cars as you want.
There are several on-island dealers that sell new cars at competitive prices. Here is a cross-section of the 2024 models of popular brands.
For sedans/hatchbacks:
- Suzuki Alto GL $15,900
- Mitsubishi Eclipse (2024) $40,000
For SUVs, which account for 80% of the car sales in the Cayman Islands:
- Suzuki Gran Vitara $31,000
- KIA Sorento (2024) $42,500
- Honda CRV (2024) $44,900
And Island favourites:
- Jeep Wrangler Rubicon CI$69,900
- Land Rover Discovery $88,000
Ask what the cost of the vehicle includes, such as inspection, licensing, maintenance and warranty.
New Car Dealers
Used Carskeyboard_arrow_right
There are many reputable used car dealers in Cayman that will usually guarantee the car for a period of three months, as well as sell parts for their cars and service them.
It is recommended to buy from a dealer rather than someone found on ecaytrade.com as there is usually very little difference in the price and the dealer has to maintain a good reputation.
When buying a used car, be sure to verify that you are dealing with the official owner of the vehicle, otherwise you will encounter difficulties when licensing your vehicle. You can check this by looking at the car’s logbook. The cost of a reliable used car will depend on the make and model but for CI$10,000 you should be getting a pretty reliable car.
How to Value a Used Car in Cayman
For the past 40 years, all car dealers, banks and insurance companies have used the same formula to value a used car. They take the sale value of the vehicle when it was new and deduct 20% for the first year and then 15% for each subsequent year. So, a car that was bought brand new in 2020, for CI$30,000, would have a book value of CI$12,529 five years later in 2025. If you are just into the next calendar year you can also use 1.25% per month.
After establishing that base line, you will deduct money for body damage, worn tires etc or you will add to that value if it is in exceptional condition, low miles etc. Then you have to consider the make and model and whether that brand of car is in high demand in Cayman. If, for example, it is a Toyota or Honda, which are both highly in demand, and are good at keeping their value if looked after well, you might expect to pay significantly more than the book value. A Toyota with a book value of CI$12,500 might actually sell for between CI$14,000 and CI$18,000 depending on whether you bought it privately or through a dealer and whether it has a service history that you can verify and is in good condition with low mileage. However, if the car is a less popular make and model, then you would probably pay less than the book value regardless of how good the vehicle looks.
Generally speaking Japanese vehicles, when bought new locally, retain the best resales value. Followed by Korean brands, then true American and European brands. Check the number of days that a car has been for sale on websites such as Ecay, as this will be a very good indication as to what brands and models are most desirable.
Used Car Dealers
Hybrid & Electric Carskeyboard_arrow_right
Electric vehicles are now a common sight on Cayman’s roads. According to the DVDL, 648 electric vehicles were licensed in Cayman in 2024. The relative increase over the past few years is partly due to the duty concessions offered by the Government on the importation of hybrid and electric vehicles, details of which can be found on page 263.
In the release of the public consultation draft of the National Energy Policy document in July 2023, the Government hopes that 30% of new vehicle sales will be completely electric by 2030, and 100% by 2050. At the moment, electric vehicles are available for purchase on Grand Cayman through certified local automotive dealers, who can also assist electric vehicle owners with the proper recycling of end-of-life lithium-ion battery components. The Island’s small area and flat topography make it an ideal location for electric vehicles and Level 2 alternating current charging.
In June of 2023, electricity provider the Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) launched its Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation Pilot Programme. The goal of the initiative is to increase the number of ‘smart’ charging stations on Grand Cayman at commercially hosted locations and, potentially, strata properties too. CUC will install and maintain the two charging point units, and also provide the electricity needed for charging vehicles free to the hosts, in exchange for a fixed monthly fee of CI$79 included in their regular CUC bill. Consumers will pay for their recharge with a designated app. In its initial stage, CUC is looking to install 40 stations at new host locations. Email service@cuc.ky for more information.
There are over 20 electric vehicle charging stations around Cayman. See the list below or visit PlugShare; it gives you a detailed map with Cayman’s charging stations.
Read MorePre-purchase Inspections
Before buying a car, you may want to get it inspected to ensure that
it is running well and will be road worthy. To do this you can choose to
go to your mechanic that you are familiar with or use the company
listed below.
During a pre-purchase inspection, the technician or mechanic will
analyse the exterior, interior, under body, electrical and engine of the
vehicle and let you know of any faults.
