Buying a used car in Europe: what to check before you pay

Before paying for a used car in another European country, check four things: who is selling and what protection you have; that you will be given the original documents you need to register it in Spain; that the car matches its papers; and its history (mileage, inspections and recalls). Then work out the cost of bringing it over and getting it legalised. This guide gives you the order to follow and what the official sources say on each point.

Who is selling: a trader or a private individual

This is the first question, because it changes your rights. According to the European Commission's Your Europe portal, your rights when buying a vehicle abroad vary depending on whether the car is new or second-hand, whether you buy from a professional seller or a private individual, and whether the seller is established in the EU.

• Professional seller in the EU: under EU consumer rights rules, if the car you buy has defects or does not match what was advertised, you have a minimum guarantee of 2 years. In some EU countries, the guarantee period can be reduced to no less than one year for second-hand vehicles, something the seller and buyer must agree at the time of purchase.
• Private individual: EU consumer protection rules do not apply to sales between private individuals. The Commission itself recommends extreme caution.

In practice: with a professional, ask in writing what guarantee they give you and for how long. With a private seller, do not count on the guarantee under EU consumer rules: check as much as you can before paying.

The documents they must give you

The European Commission sums it up like this: make sure the seller gives you all the documents you need to register the car in the country where you live, and check that you have the vehicle's original documents. To register in Spain a used car bought in the EU, the DGT (Spain's traffic authority) asks for, in addition to the general paperwork, the vehicle's original documents and the technical data sheet issued by the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection), and, depending on who is selling:

• For a sale between private individuals, a sales contract accompanied by a translation, and the Property Transfer Tax (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales).
• If you buy from a dealer in a country other than Spain, an invoice showing their VAT number.

Pay special attention to the registration certificate. Spain's General Vehicle Regulations (Reglamento General de Vehículos) state that, when a vehicle registered in another EU Member State has a registration certificate of the European model, the Traffic Offices (Jefaturas de Tráfico) will require the handing over of part I of the registration certificate, and of part II if one was issued. If part II is missing, the vehicle can be registered if confirmation has first been obtained from the authorities of the Member State that issued it that the applicant is entitled to register the vehicle again (translated from the Spanish). It is one more procedure and it takes time: it is better if the seller gives you both parts.

For VAT and taxes in Spain, see VAT on a car bought in the EU and the registration tax on an imported car.

Making sure the car matches its papers

With the documents in front of you, compare them with the car:

1. Chassis number (VIN): the one on the car, on the registration certificate and on the certificate of conformity must be the same.
2. Certificate of conformity (CoC): it makes the ITV in Spain much simpler. We explain what it is and what to do if it is missing in the certificate of conformity (CoC).
3. Version and equipment: engine, fuel, power and added parts. A modification that does not appear in the documentation can complicate the ITV for an imported car.
4. Emissions standard: together with the engine type, it determines the environmental label the car will have in Spain; we explain it in the environmental label for an imported car.

Mileage and inspection history

Mileage can be tampered with. Directive 2014/45/EU, on roadworthiness tests for vehicles in the EU, helps you check it:

• Among the minimum content of the roadworthiness test certificate is the odometer reading at the time of the inspection, if available.
• The same Directive considers that odometer fraud should be treated as a punishable offence, because tampering with an odometer can lead to an incorrect assessment of a vehicle's condition.

So ask the seller for the certificates of previous inspections and compare the mileage on each: it should always go up, at a reasonable pace. Cross-check it against the maintenance invoices and the wear on the car (steering wheel, pedals, driver's seat). If something does not add up, ask for an explanation before going any further.

Recalls and ownership

Recalls. The DGT explains that a recall happens when a manufacturer detects that a component of the vehicle, across the board, does not work properly or deteriorates sooner than expected, and this poses a risk to the vehicle's use on the road and to its occupants. Before buying, call the brand's customer service or an official dealer with the chassis number: the DGT points out that they hold all the information on any recalls the vehicle may have had.

Ownership and leasing. Check that the seller is the registered owner. Beware of cars that were leased: according to the European Commission, until the purchase option is exercised, the person or company leasing the car to you is the legal owner of the vehicle. If the seller had it on leasing or finance, ask for the document proving that the arrangement has been settled and that the car is theirs.

How to bring it over and what it will cost

For a new vehicle bought in another EU country that is not yet registered in yours, the European Commission sets out three ways to move it: tow it yourself with a registered, fully insured vehicle, use a company specialised in this kind of transport, or drive it yourself, for which you will need insurance and temporary registration plates from the country where you bought it. Be careful with this last option: temporary registration plates are not harmonised in the EU, so check that the insurance and plates are valid in every country you will pass through. With a used car, ask in the country of purchase which plates and insurance you need to take it out: the Commission refers you to the body responsible for vehicle insurance and registration.

Before paying, also add up taxes, ITV, fees and registration: we break it down in how much it costs to import a car to Spain. And if the car is in Germany, there is a specific guide in importing a car from Germany.

Quick checklist before you pay

• You know whether you are buying from a professional or a private individual, and what guarantee you have in writing.
• You have photos or copies of all the original documents, including both parts of the registration certificate if they exist.
• The VIN matches on the car, the registration certificate and the CoC.
• The mileage on previous inspections is consistent across them and with the condition of the car.
• The brand has confirmed whether there are any outstanding recalls.
• The seller is the registered owner and there is no outstanding leasing or finance.
• You have decided how to bring it over and have added up all the costs.
• You pay by a method that leaves a trace and with a signed contract.

Sources consulted

Checked on 11 October 2026. We link to the original source so that you can consult the current text.

• Comprar y arrendar (leasing) un vehículo en otro país de la UE. Comisión Europea (Your Europe).
• Matriculación de vehículos nuevos o extranjeros. Dirección General de Tráfico (sede electrónica).
• Real Decreto 2822/1998, Reglamento General de Vehículos (texto consolidado), anexo XIII. BOE.
• Directiva 2014/45/UE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 3 de abril de 2014, relativa a las inspecciones técnicas periódicas de los vehículos de motor y de sus remolques. BOE (DOUE).
• Llamadas a revisión de un vehículo. Dirección General de Tráfico (sede electrónica).