Hello,
can you tell me the steps that I need to do to buy and drive a used car from Italy?

When I like car then:
- Should I sign a contract with the seller?
- Where change the number plates?
- Where to do Insurance?
- Should I paid Tax in commune?

Please give me and prices form Milano.
The car is C2 1.6i 125hp.

Thank you.


Google translate:
Ciao,
mi puoi dire i passi che devo fare per comprare e guidare una macchina usata in Italia?

Quando mi piace macchina, allora:
- Devo firmare un contratto con il venditore?
- Dove cambiare le targhe?
- Dove fare Insurance?
- Devo pagato le imposte in comune?

Per favore mi dia forma e prezzi Milano.
La vettura è C2 1.6i 125CV.

Grazie.

- Should I sign a contract with the seller?
- Where change the number plates?
- Where to do Insurance?
- Should I paid Tax in commune?

Please give me and prices form Milano.
The car is C2 1.6i 125hp.

Thank you.

Hi Coolman,

I'm trying to answer your questions, feel free to ask for more information....

1) If you buy a used car from a honest car seller (not a private one, they are not legally obliged in any way), surely he should give you a contract to sign, stating for example things the car condition, its mileage and possibly its main features (accessories etc). Pay attention also to its servicing record.
Italian law obliges the seller to a "conformity" warranty on used cars, lasting two years which can be reduced to one with the agreement of the buyer (it's normally specified in the contract you sign): always pay attention to what the warranty covers and what does not.

2) normally there's no need to change plates, since they "follow" the car during its life; each car has a circulation car ("carta di circolazione") and a property certificate ("certificato di proprietà") that will certificate the property of the vehicle; the dealer usually deals with the bureacracy involved, asking you every necessary document.

3) you can sign an insurance contract (we call it "Polizza Responsabilità Civile Auto" or "Polizza RCA") with any insurance corporation, and this is the only mandatory type of insurance; other forms of insurance (theft etc.) can be added asking them to the company of choice; the dealer will ask for the insurance certificate before releasing the car.

4) we have an annual tax (it is called "tassa di circolazione", circulation tax, even if it's in reality a property tax), proportional to car's power expressed in Kw; you can pay it in ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia) offices, in most state lottery shops, and, in some italian regions, on the web with your credit card; ask the dealer for more information.

Hope this helps, and forgive my not-so-fluent english...

Thank you Bumbastick