Buying & Selling a New or Used Car in Italy

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Buying & Selling a New or Used Car in Italy

Note: Most of the websites referred to here are in Italian only.

Buying a New Car

Dealerships selling new cars in Italy will usually handle all the necessary paperwork on the buyer's behalf. A specialised agency known as an Agenzia di Pratiche Auto carries out this process. The cost is included in the on-the-road price of a new vehicle.

The following documents are needed from the buyer:

• A residence certificate (Certificato di Residenza) (a non-resident may not buy a car in Italy except from a manufacturer, and with special conditions)
• A tax code (Codice Fiscale) 
• An identification document: required for registration of the vehicle with the Traffic Control Authority (Motorizzazione Civile) as well as for registration of the act of sale with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico or PRA) run by the Italian Automobile Club (Automobile Club d'Italia or ACI) 
• Insurance document (insurance should be arranged in advance of the purchase). All motor vehicles in Italy must have insurance (assicurazione) for at least third-party liability. A lack of adequate insurance incurs a hefty fine and may lead to the confiscation of the vehicle.

Price comparisons

Car prices in Italy can be compared on the online auto magazine, Quattro Ruote (in Italian)

Buying a Second-hand car

Buying a second-hand car is a more intricate procedure than buying a new vehicle, as it involves more administration on the part of the purchaser. An Agenzie di Pratiche Auto can assist with the paperwork.

The ACI's PRA office will also draw up all the necessary documents on behalf of the buyer, including having them signed in the presence of a notary. It may be worth taking someone who speaks Italian sufficiently well to understand the documents.

Legal Formalities

The following documents are required for the transfer of ownership of a used car:

• An act of sale (Atto di Vendita)
• The vehicle documents (Certificato di Proprietà)
• Car registration certificate (Carta di Circolazione)
• EU nationals must supply a Residence Certificate (Certificato di Residenza)
• Non-EU Nationals need to supply a copy of their Residence Permit (Certificato di Residenza).

There is a 60-day time limit in which to register the change of ownership (passaggio di proprietà) and bring the car's registration certificate up to date.

Failure to register the change of ownership within 60 days means the former owner remains de facto proprietor of the car on the public car registry and will continue to be held responsible for non-payment of taxes, accidents caused, or infringements of the Highway Code (Codice della Strada).

Check the registration has been completed by the PRA by contacting the ACI and providing them with the numbers of the car's registration plate.

• ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia)
  Tel: 06 491115
  Website

Where to buy a second-hand car

There are a number of websites (all Italian) where second-hand cars can be found:

• Auto Shopping 
• Motori Listings (ebay) 
• OACL 
• Seconda Mano 

Otherwise, most dealerships offer second-hand cars for sale.

What to check

Before buying a used vehicle, check the following:

• mileage
• ask the owner if the vehicle has been involved in any accidents; many garages will check for evidence of accidents for free
• servicing information (tagliandi)
• road-tax certificate expiration date (scadenza bollo); this varies from vehicle to vehicle
• number of previous owners
• engine (strange noises, loss of fluids)
• car registration certificate (Carta di Circolazione)
• tires

It is also advisable to carry out a more in-depth study of the vehicle, preferably with the help of a mechanic.

Selling a Used Car

There are three places to sell a car in Italy:

• to a private purchaser
• sell the vehicle to a dealership for resale
• sell to a dealership in part-exchange for a new vehicle

Legal formalities

If selling the car to a private buyer or a dealership, an act of sale (Atto di Vendita) must be drawn up by a notary. 

Provide the buyer with the:

• ownership certificate (Certificato di Proprietà)
• car registration certificate (Carta di Circolazione)

If the car is to be passed to a dealership for resale, ask a notary to draw up an authorisation of sale (Procura a Vendere).

How to sell a car

Before putting the vehicle up for sale ensure that maintenance checks are up-to-date with the garage.

Used cars may be advertised for sale on one of the Internet sites available for this purpose:

• CarWebShop (free)
• ebay Italy
• Auto Moto Online 
• Automobili  (In English and Italian)
• Mondo Motori 

Potential buyers may wish to take the car for a test drive (giro di prova). Always check the person is carrying their driving licence and accompany them on the test drive. Be prepared to barter, and determine a minimum price in advance.

Regional Contacts

• PRA (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico) Bureau of Motor Vehicles run by the Italian Automobile Club (Automobile Club d'Italia)
  At: Via Sapori 83, 00143 Rome
  Tel: 06 491115
  Website 
• Motorizzazione Civile Traffic Control Authority has 3 offices in Rome
  • Sede Casalina
    At: Via delle Cincie 28, 00169 Rome
    Tel: 06 81691
    Sede Salaria
    At: Via Salaria 1045, 00138 Rome
    Tel: 06 81691
    Sede Laurentina
    At: Via del fosso dell'Acqua Acetosa Ostiense 9, 00143 Rome
    Tel: 06 502881
    Website

 Further Information

• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Vehicle Roadworthiness Tests in Italy
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Driving Licences in Italy
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Driving in Italy