Buying a car is a big deal. A few simple rules help both buyers and sellers avoid unpleasant surprises.
Before you meet
- Read the whole listing: specifications, photos, price history. Compare the price with similar cars in the catalogue.
- Ask the seller questions by phone or in site messages: how many owners, where the car was serviced, any accidents, whether customs duties are paid.
- Ask for the VIN and check it in the available vehicle-history services.
- Never pay a deposit or "reservation fee" for a car you have not seen.
Inspecting the car
- Meet in daylight, in a busy place, ideally with someone else.
- Check that the VIN on the body and in the documents, the engine number, the colour and equipment match.
- Check the registration certificate and that the seller is the owner or holds a notarised power of attorney.
- Have the car checked at an independent garage: body (paint-depth gauge), suspension, engine, gearbox, electronic fault codes.
- Always take a test drive.
Payment and paperwork
- Put the deal in writing. In Moldova the change of ownership is registered at a public service centre (ASP) or by a notary — check the current procedure in advance.
- The safest ways to pay are a bank transfer, or handing over cash at a bank where the notes can be checked on the spot.
- Buyers: do not hand over money before you have the documents and keys. Sellers: do not hand over the car or documents before you are paid.
- Keep copies of all documents and a receipt for the money.
For sellers
- Never send anyone SMS codes or card details: to pay you, a buyer needs only your account number (IBAN) or card number.
- Do not agree to "delivery fees", "insurance deposits" or other payments through dubious links.
- Do not let anyone "test drive" the car without you and do not hand over original documents before payment.
If anything feels wrong, stop the deal. Send suspicious listings and messages to us with the "Report" button. More tricks to watch for are in How to avoid scams.