Change of ownership and paperwork

In Traficom's service, you can check technical details, inspection details and tax details free of charge using the registration number or VIN. Ownership and history details are subject to a fee. At least check:

• Does the car's VIN match the registration details? Check the number on the car itself.
• Is the inspection valid and may the car be driven? Find out separately about rejection and driving or use bans.
• Has the vehicle tax been paid? Unpaid tax can lead to a use ban even after a change of ownership.
• Who is the owner? If the owner is a finance company, make sure you have its consent and an agreed debt repayment arrangement.

Katsastuksessa hylätty auto ei ole kaikissa tilanteissa automaattisesti ajokiellossa. Katsastusaikana tarkastettua, hylättyä autoa voidaan käyttää viat korjattuna rajoitetun ajan. Ajokiellossa ajaminen ei ole sallittua; tarkista mahdolliset katsastukseen tai korjaukseen siirtämisen ehdot erikseen.

Ask the seller in writing for details of any hire-purchase debt, retention of title and registration status. Keep the replies together with the listing.

The bill of sale shows what was agreed. Make two signed copies and give one to each party. Record:

• The seller’s and buyer’s names, identification details and contact information.
• Make, model, registration number and VIN.
• Mileage at the time of sale.
• Sale price and payment method.
• Date and time of handover.
• Known faults and information provided about the car.
• Items included, such as a second set of tyres and spare keys.
• Allekirjoitukset.

Check the identity of both parties. The seller needs the buyer's personal identity code or Business ID for the transfer notification. Keep identity details safe and share them only for the sale and registration process.

Make the transfer notification immediately after the sale in Traficom's Oma asiointi service using online banking codes or mobile certificate. You will need the buyer's personal identity code or Business ID, as well as the agreed handover date.

The transfer notification records the sale in the register even if the buyer does not complete their own registration. Keep the confirmation and your bill of sale.

Do not rely only on the buyer's promise. Make it preferably on the same day the car is handed over.

Register the change of ownership within seven days of the sale. Insurance must be in order before electronic registration. The usual options are:

1. Based on the transfer notification: the seller submits the notification and the buyer registers the change in the Oma asiointi service.
2. With a code: the seller gives a vehicle-specific six-character code that the buyer can use to register the change. Check that the code is still valid.
3. With the notification section of the registration certificate: fill in and sign the valid part II together. Change of ownership with this document is done at an inspection station that carries out registrations.

What does registration cost?

At the time of checking, an electronic change of owner or holder costs 3.50 euro. A paperless register notification at a customer service point costs 10 euro, and any additional charges at the service point must be checked separately. Check the current price before you go.

Get your own motor third-party liability insurance preferably on the day of purchase and make sure you are covered before driving. If the car had valid insurance at the time of purchase, the new owner usually has seven days to take out their own insurance, and claims may be covered by the previous policy's extended liability. If there is no valid insurance, cover is needed immediately.

Seitsemän päivän sääntöön liittyy ehtoja. Varmista tilanne vakuutusyhtiöltä; rekisteröinti ja vakuuttaminen ovat eri velvollisuuksia. Vakuuttamisesta laiminlyöty aika voi johtaa vakuuttamattomuusmaksuun.

Comprehensive insurance is optional, and the seller's comprehensive cover does not transfer to the buyer as their own insurance. The seller should confirm with their insurer that the sale notice has been received, that the policies have ended, and that any overpayment has been refunded.

The seller is responsible for the vehicle tax for the day of sale. The new owner or holder is responsible from the following day onwards. The transfer notification helps allocate responsibility to the correct day.

Before the sale, check for any unpaid taxes from previous owners. Any driving ban they cause applies to the vehicle and may continue after the change of ownership.

Vehicle tax may consist of a basic tax and a fuel tax. For example, taxation for a diesel or electric car differs from that of a petrol car. Estimate the tax using Traficom's up-to-date information.

• The seller relies only on the buyer's promise and does not make a transfer notification.
• The buyer assumes the insurance will continue automatically without checking the terms.
• A car owned by a finance company is sold without the agreed procedure.
• No bill of sale or written record of the car's faults is made.
• Mileage and the time of handover are left unrecorded.

Seller

• Make a bill of sale and check the buyer's identity.
• Make sure the payment has arrived and any finance has been settled.
• Make the transfer notification immediately and keep the confirmation.
• Check with your own insurance company when the policies end.

Buyer

• Check the car's details and the seller's right to sell it.
• Make sure there is motor third-party liability insurance before driving.
• Keep the signed bill of sale, notification and messages.
• Register the change of ownership within seven days.