Buying or selling a used car in Spain can be a hazardous business, but if you take care to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is completed to cover yourself against liabilities, things should go smoothly.

If you are buying
Before committing yourself to a purchase, you can ask in Trafico for a document called Informe – life of vehicle. It will tell you if the vehicle has any problems/fines attached to it and who is the current official owner. Please confirm that the person selling you the vehicle is the official owner. If not, do make sure that the documents provided to you are from the official owner.
It is also very much advisable to make an official sale-purchase contract to benefit both parties. The template of the contract can be bought in any Gestoria, Official Tobacco Shops or here in Me Express.
Please note, that if the official owner is deceased, it is illegal to transfer his/her vehicle.
You should be given the originals of the following documents:
– Permiso de circulacion – car registration document
– Ficha technica – ITV document
– Payment confirmation of the current Road Tax
From the official owner you need the following documents (without them the transfer cannot be done):
– Copy of the valid passport
– Copy of the NIE or Residencia document
– Copy of DNI card – if the owner is Spanish
If you are selling
As a seller you should ensure that the vehicle would be transferred onto the new person’s name. We advise you to make the contract of sale-purchase, keep the copies of identification documents of the buyer and if you can go with him/her to a Gestoria or our office to make sure that the process of transfer has been started.
Otherwise any future fines, Road Taxes or accident involvement will all come back to you and you will be liable for them. Also, keep the contact details of the buyer, just in case.
Please contact us regarding the costs of the above services and list of necessary documentation. info@meexpress.net, Antonio García, Gestor.
Me Express Social Media Team