Kiran C
Making a purchase of a used automobile is a significant expense. Not only will you want a car suitable for your financial situation, and that meets your needs for travelling, but most importantly, you want that used vehicle to stay reliable for the entire length of time you own it. It is evident that there are many different choices to be made on the used automobile market in Macedonia today, ranging from low-cost hatchbacks to high-end luxury SUVs.
However, in order to make your way through this market effectively, you will need to understand local laws and regulations, average pricing, and what type of paperwork is required. By knowing exactly what to look for you will be able to navigate around common mistakes and make an informed choice about purchasing a dependable vehicle.
In this guide, we will take you through the process of buying a used vehicle (second-hand) in Macedonia. We will explain what types of documents you need, walk you through the purchasing process step by step, and provide important safety tips so you can make a confident and educated choice.
When buying an automobile in Macedonia, it is important to understand that the legal requirements are very strict, and one missing document can cause significant delays in registering your vehicle. Both the seller and buyer need to provide certain documentation to legally transfer ownership of the vehicle.
The following list outlines the types of documentation you will require to complete the purchase:
Proof of Identity: Both the seller and buyer need to provide either a valid identification card or a passport.
Sales Contract (Kupoprodazen Dogovor): This contract will need to be signed, as well as notarized by an authorized local notary in Macedonia.
Vehicle Registration Book (Sobrakjajna Knishka): The seller provides the original registration book, and you need to verify that the vehicle's identification number (VIN) corresponds to the actual vehicle.
Proof of Technical Inspection: All vehicles in Macedonia are to undergo an annual technical inspection. Ensure that the vehicle has a technically validated certificate of inspection.
Customs/Homologation Documentation: If the vehicle was recently imported to Macedonia, and has not been previously registered; the seller must prove that all customs fees have been paid, and provide evidence that the vehicle has passed through a local homologation process.
Car Insurance: You must have an active third-party liability insurance policy to drive or register the vehicle.
Buying a used car can be a lengthy process and requires one to be patient and methodical when attempting to secure a good deal. Here are some steps to take to ensure that you have an easy and stress-free transaction.
Start your search through online classifieds and establish a budget. Macedonia has a strong market for European brands. You will have no trouble finding a variety of different options for vehicles including BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, and Peugeot's.
Also take into consideration whether you are looking for a small car to drive around the urban area of skopje, or if you want an SUV that can handle rough mountain roads. Use market resources to determine average market value of the make/model/year you are looking for to help ensure you know when you have found a good deal.
Never purchase a vehicle without doing a thorough physical inspection of the vehicle. Look for signs of rust, paint not being even or having gaps in between panels, as these are indicators of previous accident damage. You should also check the tread on the tires and in addition to checking the tread wear you should also look inside of the car to see if there is wear that does not match the odometer reading.
Most importantly is to Test Drive the vehicle. When taking it for a test drive, listen for any strange noises coming from the engine, test the brakes, and make sure to put it through all of its gears seamlessly. We highly recommend that you hire an independent mechanic in Macedonia to do a Pre-Purchase Inspection on the vehicle.
Negotiating with Macedonian vehicle sellers is generally part of the process; using your research and inspection data to negotiate will benefit you. For instance, if during the inspection the mechanic identifies minor repairs (such as bad brake pads and/or old tires), you may be able to have the seller reduce the price of the vehicle so you will cover the cost of these future repairs. You should also remember to remain polite yet firm, as well as, be prepared to walk from any offer that does not meet the true value of the vehicle.
Once you and the seller have agreed on a price you will need to go to a local notary office to sign the sale contract. After signing and notarizing the sale contract, the buyer will have to pay the Property Transfer Tax to their local municipality office. The buyer will then take the notarized sale contract, sales tax payment receipt, old registration, proof of insurance to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVR) in order to have the vehicle registered into your name. New plates will be issued if necessary.
Follow the important safety tips outlined in this guide to protect yourself from being defrauded when purchasing a vehicle.
Verify the Seller's Credibility: If you are purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, make sure that the name on the vehicle registration matches the name of the seller. If you are purchasing from a Dealer, read the online reviews of the dealer, and ask people in the local area about the dealership.
Verify the vehicle's VIN: A vehicle's VIN is unique to that vehicle. After verifying the VIN, obtain a copy of the vehicle from an international database to ensure the vehicle is not reported stolen in any other European country.
Avoid Wiring Money Prematurely: Do not wire money to the seller until after you have viewed the vehicle. For large purchases, consider utilizing a bank transfer instead of carrying cash with you.
Beware of Deals that Seem Too Good to be True: If you see a luxury vehicle for sale at a fraction of the vehicle's market value, it likely has severe mechanical issues or legal problems.
Buying a used vehicle in Macedonia does not have to be stressful. If you know what paperwork is needed, inspect your vehicle, and follow safe purchasing guidelines you can make a great investment. Your next step should be to identify the most popular vehicles, such as VW, BMW or Audi and do your research. Do not buy a vehicle without having it inspected by an authorized mechanic. Use this guide as your guide to drive away with a safe and reliable vehicle while eliminating stress.
You will need an ID, a notarized bill of sale, proof of payment for the transfer tax, a valid technical inspection certificate, the original automobile registration book, and a new policy for third party automobile insurance.
You can obtain the vehicle's history in Macedonia by having the VIN run through a vehicle history agency such as Carfax Europe or autoDNA. The vehicle's service history may also be available from the manufacturer's dealer in Macedonia if the vehicle was serviced in an approved dealer network.
Yes, when purchasing a used vehicle you are required to pay a property transfer tax. The amount due is calculated based on the Federal Tax Office's cataloged valuation of the vehicle, not necessarily the total purchase price as you paid for the vehicle. The tax owed for the property transfer tax will be paid at the local government office.
Yes, a foreign national can purchase and register a vehicle in Macedonia if he/she has a valid residency permit and an address in Macedonia. You will also need to provide identification issued from the Republic of Macedonia to facilitate the notary and registration process.