Kia Stonic

Car sourcing in Serbia: a Kia Stonic instead of a Peugeot 208, a real client story

A young couple came to us for help finding a car in Serbia. Their budget was up to EUR 13,000, and they had a clear set of requirements:

• as recent a model year as possible
• automatic transmission
• a reliable, economical car for everyday use
• power output of no more than 109 hp, as they were newly licensed drivers
• reasonable mileage and a transparent history with no major accidents

Initially, the clients wanted to buy a Peugeot 208 with an automatic transmission. On paper, it looked like a good fit: a compact city car with modern styling and plenty of options on Serbia's used car market.

Inspecting Peugeot 208s before purchase

As part of our search, we found and inspected several Peugeot 208s that matched their budget and advertised requirements.

But the appealing listings and photos did not reflect the cars' actual condition.

Our professional inspections revealed serious issues: poor mechanical condition, evidence of previous repairs, questionable service histories and, in some cases, signs of odometer tampering.

We advised our clients against buying any of these Peugeot 208s.

This is exactly why a pre-purchase car inspection in Serbia is so important. A car's advertised condition can be very different from its actual mechanical condition.

Suggesting an alternative: the Kia Stonic

After several Peugeot 208s failed our inspections, we suggested that the clients consider a Kia Stonic with an automatic transmission.

At first, they were not particularly interested. They had their hearts set on a Peugeot.

But that is the point of a professional car-sourcing service: to find the best car for your budget and actual needs, even if it turns out to be a different model.

We found a suitable Kia Stonic, went with the clients to view it, inspected the car and took it for a test drive.

They changed their minds almost immediately.

The clients liked its condition, driving position, handling and overall feel. After the inspection and a discussion of all the details, they decided to buy it.

So, instead of a Peugeot 208, the clients drove away in a Kia Stonic that met their budget, automatic transmission and power requirements, and was in the right mechanical condition.

If the right car is in another city, there is no reason to limit your search to local listings. The wider the search area, the better your chances of finding a genuinely good car at a fair price.

Need help finding a car in Serbia?

We can help you find a car that suits your budget, driving experience and individual requirements, and check its mechanical condition, history, mileage and paperwork before you buy.

You can come to us with a specific model in mind, or simply tell us what you need from a car and how much you want to spend.

Sometimes, the best car for you is not the one you originally planned to buy.