Sale of a used vehicle | Traficom
Transport and Communications Agency

Sale of a used vehicle

With the help of these instructions, selling a car, motorcycle, moped or any other vehicle will be smooth and stress-free.

Do the following

  • Step 1

    Print two copies of the deed of transfer

    When selling your vehicle, always print two copies of the deed of transfer for the sale.

  • Step 2

    Fill in both copies of the deed of transfer and check the buyer's identity

    Fill in and sign both copies of the deed of transfer together with the buyer. Check the buyer's identity when making the sale. Ask the buyer for a personal identity code or a Business ID for submitting a notification of transfer.

  • Step 3

    Give one copy of the deed of transfer to the buyer

    Give one copy of the deed of transfer to the buyer and keep the other for yourself in case of conflicts.

  • Step 4

    Submit a notification of transfer of the vehicle after the sale

    By submitting an electronic notification of transfer, you confirm that you have sold the vehicle and that the vehicle is now the buyer's responsibility. A notification of transfer is the easiest and cheapest way to handle the transfer and change of ownership.

    When you submit a notification of transfer, your liability for the vehicle ends on the date of transfer. The notification ensures that you will not have to pay vehicle tax or other expenses after the sale, even if the buyer fails to report the change of ownership of the vehicle. 

Transfer of vehicle ownership with a digital certificate or the notification part of the registration certificate

If you do not wish to transfer the ownership of a vehicle with a notification of transfer, you can do so using a digital certificate or a valid notification part of the registration certificate (part II). However, we recommend that you submit a notification of transfer for each vehicle sale. 

If you transfer ownership with the notification part, fill in the buyer's details and the transfer date and sign it together with the buyer. Deliver the notification part to the buyer in connection with the sale. If you are selling the vehicle to be registered abroad or in Åland, deliver both parts of the registration certificate to the buyer: part I (technical part) and part II (notification part).

With the notification part, the buyer can register the change of ownership only at an inspection site that provides vehicle registration services.

Frequently asked questions for selling a used vehicle

Register the vehicle in your name before selling it. The vehicle's new owner must register the change of ownership of the vehicle no later than seven days after the transfer of ownership. This way, any taxes and insurance payments for the vehicle are charged correctly.

When you submit a notification of transfer after selling your car, you are no longer liable for the car and do not have to pay vehicle tax or other fees. For more information on insurance cancellation, please contact your insurance company.

When you submit a notification of transfer after selling your car, you are no longer liable for the car and do not have to pay vehicle tax or other fees. If you wish, you can check with your insurance company.

A vehicle can be sold by its owner or by anyone authorised by the owner. If you are the holder of a car under a hire-purchase agreement, you cannot sell it without the consent of the finance company. Contact the finance company and agree on the procedure with them.

Trading in a financed vehidle

If you have purchased a vehicle under a hire-purchase agreement, check with the finance company whether you can transfer the loan to another person.

If a vehicle has two or more owners, all of them must consent to the sale. One of the owners may sign the deed of transfer and/or the notification part of the registration certificate, but their signature confirms that they have obtained the consent of all owners to the sale.

Yes. The owner has the right to add, replace or remove a holder who has the right to use the car. The holder does not have ownership, so their consent is not required to sell the car.

See also

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