NAFTA-made vehicles may be nationalized at Laredo and some other ports of entry. Check with a broker as to model years. This is a reputable broker to nationalize your vehicle. There is no way to legally nationalize a vehicle that is already in Mexico.
A person attempting to export from the U.S. a used self-propelled vehicle shall present to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at the port of exportation, both the vehicle and the required documentation describing the vehicle to include the VIN. This is the first step before nationalizing in Mexico a U.S registered vehicle. Please see all the requirements and the law. https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/motor-vehicle
Only a citizen or temporary or permanent resident may nationalize a vehicle. The person who is the owner of the vehicle must be present. You may import in to Mexico 2016 and 2017 model years which was made in North America. Each November, the year allowed to nationalize increases by one year as those are the two model years that an importer pays a 10% import duty based on the value set by Aduana (Customs). Older vehicles may be nationalized but you pay 50% of the value as established by Aduana. In addition, all vehicles when nationalized, pay a tax of 16%.
For new and used vehicles the first digit of the VIN must start with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. The only exception is for classic vehicles, 30 years or older. They can be from any country of origin. The original title is required and it must be clean meaning not flooded, not stolen, not salvaged, etc.
If anyone offers to nationalize a vehicle and the process is to be completed within a day; or, without vehicle not being exported from the US; or, registration needs to be in the name of a Mexican citizen; or, process comes with Mexican state license plates; or, the vehicle owner is not present, then the process is illegal. If you want to check out such a process go and ask your local SAT / Aduana office if it is legal. Each car when legally nationalized receives a ‘pedimento’ from Aduana.
Once, nationalized, the vehicle receives a very short-term permit in which time the vehicle must be inspected by the state in which you live. And finally, it must be registered by the state. Federal law states when registering a vehicle, you must have a driver’s license for the same state. And for all of this the vehicle’s owner must be present.
