What documents you need to check before paying for a second-hand car

Check whether the car is financed or subject to any encumbrances

A car purchased through leasing or credit may still be owned by the finance provider or may serve as security for an obligation.

Ask the seller for:

• proof that the financing has been settled;

• the lease termination document;

• the final invoice;

• the finance provider’s consent, if required;

• documents confirming the release of any security interests;

• confirmation of ownership rights.

For an additional check, you can consult the relevant movable property security registers or seek professional assistance.

The fact that the seller uses the car and has its documents does not guarantee that the vehicle is free of all encumbrances.

Check the car’s status

Before paying, check that the legal and administrative information is consistent.

Review:

• the registration status;

• any theft records;

• the validity of the ITP roadworthiness inspection;

• whether a valid RCA motor insurance policy exists at the time of the check;

• any declared restrictions;

• whether the VIN matches the registration number.

The current owner’s valid RCA insurance does not mean that you can use the same policy after the transfer. Clarify which insurance you need in your name before driving the car.

Check the ITP, but do not confuse it with a full inspection

A valid ITP roadworthiness inspection is required for vehicle procedures and legal road use, but it does not guarantee that the car is free from:

• hidden damage;

• mileage tampering;

• mechanical problems;

• missing airbags;

• structural repairs;

• recently cleared fault codes.

Check the expiry date and confirm the information using the VIN or CIV series.

Complete the process with an inspection at an independent workshop.

Check the history by VIN

Before signing and paying, check the history available for the VIN.

The report may include:

• mileage records;

• damage records;

• photographs;

• service history;

• commercial use;

• theft records;

• equipment;

• specifications;

• ITP information;

• estimated market value.

Compare the report with the seller’s statements and the car’s documents.

If you find significant discrepancies, ask for an explanation before proceeding.

What should the agreement include?

The agreement or invoice must clearly identify:

• the seller;

• the buyer;

• the vehicle;

• the VIN;

• the registration number;

• the price;

• the currency;

• the payment method;

• the handover date;

• the documents and keys handed over.

It is also advisable to include:

• the mileage displayed at handover;

• known and declared damage;

• any known defects;

• any deposits already paid;

• the outstanding balance;

• the conditions under which the transfer will take place.

Do not sign documents containing blank fields, and do not accept a stated price that differs from the amount actually paid.

Read the entire agreement, including the clauses on warranties, liability, and the condition of the vehicle.

How can you pay safely?

A bank transfer provides clear proof of both the payment and the beneficiary.

In the payment reference, you can include:

• the make and model;

• the VIN;

• the agreement or invoice number;

• the purpose of the payment.

If you pay in cash, request a document confirming the amount received, the date, and the purpose of the payment.

Do not transfer money to anyone other than the seller named in the documents without a clear contractual justification.

Avoid paying the full amount before you have seen:

• the car;

• the original documents;

• the seller’s identity;

• the final agreement;

• the result of the technical inspection.

Prepare a handover report

When taking possession of the car, it is useful to record:

• the handover date and time;

• the mileage;

• the fuel or battery level;

• the visible condition;

• the number of keys;

• the documents handed over;

• the accessories;

• the sets of wheels;

• any defects;

• the signatures of both parties.

Photograph the car, the instrument panel, and the documents at the time of handover.

Additional documents for an imported car

For a vehicle brought in from another country, check:

• the original registration documents;

• the foreign agreement or invoice;

• the successive ownership documents;

• proof of deregistration or export, where applicable;

• the registration plates, if required;

• the certificate of conformity, if available;

• any required translations;

• customs formalities for vehicles from outside the European Union;

• the VAT treatment, if applicable to the purchase.

The seller’s name and the VIN must be consistent throughout the entire chain of documents.

If an original document is missing, confirm beforehand whether the vehicle can be registered in Romania.

Warning signs before payment

Do not proceed with the transaction if:

• the seller refuses to show the original documents;

• the VIN on the car differs from the VIN in the documents;

• the person present cannot prove their right to sell the vehicle;

• the CIV is missing;

• there is outstanding financing;

• the tax status is unclear;

• payment is requested to a different beneficiary;

• the agreement contains blank fields;

• the seller asks you to declare a lower price;

• the foreign documents are incomplete;

• you are pressured to pay before completing the checks.

The cost of an additional check is lower than the risk of buying a car that cannot be registered in your name or may later be claimed by another party.

Check the history before signing

Enter the VIN on Certcar and compare the available history with the car, its documents, and the seller’s statements.

The report does not replace the original documents or a legal review, but it can help you identify discrepancies before you pay.