Can I buy a used car safely?
Yes, doing the right checks and the change of ownership. You can buy a used car from a private seller or a dealer. The deal is completed with the change of ownership: a sale deed with an authenticated signature (at a Motorist Telematic Desk, an agency or the ACI), to register within 60 days at the PRA and the Motor Registry. Before buying, it's wise to make checks: a PRA search (to check the owner, administrative holds, mortgages), the real mileage, the roadworthiness test in force, the vehicle's condition. The warranty changes by seller: from a dealer you have the legal conformity warranty (at least 12 months for used, by agreement); from a private seller there's no legal warranty, but they answer for hidden defects. Remember insurance and the car tax.
📋 The rules
- The deal is completed with the change of ownership at the PRA
- Authenticated sale deed, to register within 60 days
- Checks: PRA search (holds, mortgages), mileage, test
- From a dealer: legal warranty (at least 12 months for used)
- From a private seller: no legal warranty, but hidden defects
🔓 Exceptions
- Vehicle with an administrative hold or mortgage: can't be transferred freely
- Warranty between private parties: the legal conformity one doesn't apply
- Sale by a dealer: businesses subject to the legal obligations
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Buying without checks exposes you to risks: a vehicle with an administrative hold or mortgage can't be registered until cleared; a car with tampered mileage or hidden defects makes you pay more than it's worth. If you buy from a private seller and find serious, pre-existing hidden defects, you can ask for a price reduction or cancellation of the sale; if you buy from a dealer, the legal warranty applies. Not registering the change of ownership in time entails sanctions and leaves you exposed to fines and the car tax of a car no longer yours. Before signing, do a search, check the mileage and history, and put everything in writing.
📎 Official sources
- ACI/PRA · Change of ownership and searches →
- Normattiva · Civil Code (sale and hidden defects) and Consumer Code →
- Motor Registry · Motorist Portal →
❓ Frequently asked
How do you change ownership of a used car?
With a sale deed with an authenticated signature (at a Motorist Telematic Desk, a car-paperwork agency or the ACI), to register within 60 days at the PRA and the Motor Registry. At the end the vehicle's registration is updated and the documentation issued.
What checks should I do before buying?
A PRA search to check the owner, any administrative holds and mortgages; the real mileage and the vehicle's history; the roadworthiness test in force; the mechanical condition. Checking these before buying avoids nasty surprises and later disputes.
Is there a warranty on a used car?
It depends on the seller. From a dealer the legal conformity warranty applies, which for used can be reduced but is at least 12 months. From a private seller the legal warranty doesn't apply, but they still answer for hidden defects, i.e. serious, hidden pre-existing faults.
What are a car's hidden defects?
Serious vehicle faults, already present at the time of sale, not visible and not known to the buyer. If they emerge, buying from a private seller you can ask for a price reduction or cancellation of the sale. So it's wise to put the vehicle's condition in writing.
What's the risk if I don't register the change of ownership?
Sanctions and the risk of remaining exposed to fines, the car tax and liability for a car no longer yours. The change must be registered within 60 days: until completed, the registration stays with the seller. It's best to complete the paperwork right after buying.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “buy used car checks”
- “change of ownership car 60 days”
- “pra search holds mortgages”
- “used car warranty dealer”
- “hidden defects used car private”
- “used car tampered mileage”