How to avoid having your car repossessed without knowing it?

If the change of ownership does not take place within the first 30 days of the acquisition, the buyer will be subject to sanctions by the DGT if the other party reports it

The change of ownership of a vehicle when it is sold is key to avoiding potential embargoes when paying any fines or fines, as failure to do so within the first 30 days means the buyer is in charge of the vehicle must continue to take financially, generating repossessions for unpaid fines.

This has been explained by the Spanish insurer Hello Auto with the aim of facilitating and explaining how to save and consult the steps to be taken to change the ownership of a vehicle, in addition to discovering how to know who owns the vehicle is and whether it can be changed online.

If a driver has bought or inherited a used vehicle, there is a period of 30 days from the signing of the contract to put it in the person’s name. A management that many drivers are not aware of and that requires certain procedures to carry out the transfer of ownership in the correct and above all legal way. After this period has elapsed without having carried out the procedure, the vehicle can no longer be driven and will even be sanctioned if the seller has reported the sale to the traffic office.

Before making this car name change, it must be verified that the vehicle is free of charge, up-to-date with the payment of local taxes and any fines, and has previously been administratively registered. In this last aspect, the transaction cannot be completed until the previous owner registers the car.

In addition, it is important to register the insurance, as it would be illegal to drive without this insurance. To do this, the Hello Auto experts recommend contacting customer service to inquire about the options they offer, as the company’s philosophy is to reward good driving from its policyholders with discounts of average around 100 euros.

Both cases can be checked with the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), requesting a reduced report of the vehicle. To these two requirements is added the payment, exemption or non-submission of the transfer tax, in the abbreviation ITP. This procedure is done by presenting form 620 or 621 (it changes according to the Autonomous Community).

On the other hand, there are several cases that are considered “exceptional” that have a different request because they require more documentation proving the transfer of the vehicle. In this way, the procedures to change ownership are carried out in the Common Electronic Register of the General State Administration (AGE). If “exceptional cases” have been identified in the DGT: sales with a buyer or seller who is under the guardianship of another person; death of the holder; legacies; separation, divorce or similar situations; historic cars; vehicles with co-owners; or cars bought at auctions.

Once these procedures have been completed, the change of ownership must be requested, a procedure for which you will need the following documents: copy of the DNI or passport of the seller of the vehicle, invoice or purchase contract signed by both parties, model 620 or 621 and any document that hinders the sale (division of property in divorce, inheritance, attachment, death, donation…).

The change of ownership costs about 55.70 euros in case of purchasing a vehicle, 27.85 euros for mopeds and 8.67 euros extra for cars from the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and Balearic Islands.

The biggest doubt in a transfer of ownership is whether this can be done electronically. The answer is yes, although there are some exceptions. Thus, the change of ownership can be processed in person at any Provincial Headquarters or Tourist Office in Spain, with a prior request for an appointment online or by calling 060, or online, with a procedure that can be done on the DGT website.

If the online presentation is chosen, the documentation will be sent to the indicated address with the change of ownership already made after the management. However, there are cases where this procedure cannot be performed electronically. These are the cases classified as exceptional and mentioned above (eg divorce, auctions or car with co-owners).

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.