Buying a used car in Italy: what to check

Before you buy: a checklist

• Compare the asking price with adverts for the same model. Take account of the year, mileage, trim and condition: a median price alone does not describe an individual car.
• See the car in person and try everything you can check. Note visible faults, warning lights and any work the seller says has been done. Ask for documents for work that could affect your decision.
• Check the registration number on the Portale dell’Automobilista. Read the available revisione records and compare the recorded mileage with the odometer and the advert.
• Request a PRA record search. Check that the registered owner matches the documents provided, and look for any recorded restrictions or charges.
• Compare the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the documents with the number on the car. If anything does not match, ask for an explanation before signing.
• Check the vehicle documents. You may find the Documento Unico or earlier documents, which remain valid until the Documento Unico is issued.
• Confirm the ownership transfer cost and terms of sale before committing. Keep a copy of what is agreed about the price, the car’s condition and handover.

How much do used cars cost in Italy?

The table shows the used models with the most adverts in our data for Italy, with the median asking price, the middle half of asking prices (P25–P75) and the number of cars. Compare asking prices in adverts with the features of the car you are considering. Always distinguish the asking price from the final sale price. A price far from the median is a reason to check the car’s condition and paperwork; on its own, it does not show whether the deal is good or bad.

Dealer asking prices on 3 Nov 2026, not sale prices. Models with at least 30 cars for sale; the range is the middle half of asking prices (P25–P75).

To see other models too, visit the used car prices page for Italy. If you’ve already found an advert, you can compare it with the market and read how the data is put together in the methodology.

Checks to make before buying the car

For a standard private car, the first revisione inspection is due four years after first registration, and every two years after that. Check the date shown in the documents and look for recorded inspections. The official Check completed revisione inspections service shows inspections carried out after 1 June 2018.

The Portale dell’Automobilista lets you check the mileage recorded by inspection centres during revisione inspections using the registration number. Read the sequence, not just the latest reading. If the mileage in the advert does not add up, ask the seller for documents explaining the difference. Ask for the service book, invoices and records of other work to build up a picture of the car’s history.

For the car’s legal status, a PRA record search through Visurenet shows the registered owner and any restrictions or charges currently recorded. ACI lists a fee of €6.00. ACI also offers a free check for restrictions and charges. If you also want to see previous transfers, dates and sale prices, and current or historical restrictions, request the Estratto Cronologico Generale (chronological PRA extract).

Finally, compare the VIN on the documents with the one you can read on the car. Do the same for the registration number, make and model. These checks are simple, but you need both the car and its documents in front of you. If you cannot inspect the car before deciding, ask for enough information to clear up your doubts and consider an independent check of its condition.

Documents and transfer of ownership

The Documento Unico di Circolazione e di Proprietà (single vehicle and ownership document), often called the DU, replaces the Carta di Circolazione and Certificato di Proprietà. The old documents remain valid until the DU is issued. For the ownership transfer, ACI lists the DU or, alternatively, the paper or digital Certificato di Proprietà accompanied by the Carta di Circolazione. You also need a valid identity document for the buyer.

The seller’s signature on the bill of sale must be authenticated. From that date, the buyer must apply to register the transfer within sixty days. Agree with the seller when to complete these steps, and check that the details entered in the documents match the car.

Ask for a breakdown of the costs before completing the sale. For the Imposta Provinciale di Trascrizione (provincial registration tax), provinces may increase the national basic rate by up to 30%. To find out the cost of your application, ask whoever will handle the ownership transfer for a detailed quote. The calculator for Italy covers import costs instead.

Dealer or private seller

Before signing with a professional seller, ask for the car’s condition and the terms of sale to be set out clearly. Get an explanation in writing of any known faults, and keep the advert, agreements and documents provided. To find out which rights apply to your purchase, consult the relevant consumer protection authority.

If you buy from a private seller, bear in mind that European consumer protection law for second-hand goods does not cover purchases from a private seller. This makes it especially useful to check the car, compare the seller’s claims with the documents and put agreements in writing before paying. If you have questions about the rights that apply to a particular sale, check the relevant rules before completing it.

In either case, do not leave an important detail only in a conversation. Make a note of what you have checked and what the seller has agreed to provide. A precise description of the car’s condition will help you decide whether the asking price matches the car you are buying.

After the purchase

Arrange motor third-party liability insurance: IVASS says the owner must take out civil liability insurance. Before using the car, check that the cover is active for the vehicle and the intended use.

Then check the bollo auto (vehicle tax). As a general rule for renewals, ACI says payment is due by the end of the month after the previous tax period expires. Check the due date and rates for your region or autonomous province, as they may vary. If you are unsure about the vehicle’s tax status when you buy it, ask the relevant authority to confirm.

Also note when the next revisione is due. For a standard private car, after the first inspection it is due every two years. Keep the documents you receive and records of later work: they will help you keep track of maintenance and describe the car accurately if you decide to sell it.

Buying in Italy to register the car in another country?

Before setting off, check the documents, insurance cover and registration requirements in the destination country. The final cost also depends on the rules that apply there: use the route pages to explore the journey you are interested in.

To explore the available tools, go to the import calculator index.