Kiran C
The experience of locating an ideal secondhand vehicle in Serbia will be one of enormous excitement because it allows the opportunity to experience the many varied landscapes of Serbia from the vibrancy of the capital city Belgrade to the tranquillity of driving through the mountainous regions of Tara.
The Serbian market for used cars is expanding significantly because of an abundance of available European-made vehicles that have been imported into Serbia and an increasing number of consumers who desire affordable, dependable means of transportation.
To successfully navigate this market, however, requires some understanding of local regulations, documents necessary for registration, and important safety checks that must be performed on your purchased vehicle.
Whether you are upgrading your daily ride as a resident or relocating to a new home as an expat, there are many important steps to be taken before purchasing a used automobile in Serbia. This comprehensive guide will provide all relevant information enabling you to purchase an automobile safely and with assurance of proper documentation.
To successfully buy a vehicle in Serbia you must ensure that your paperwork is correct. At first glance, this may seem like a huge undertaking, but getting the right documents helps you accomplish your goal of seamlessly and legally transferring your ownership. In order to accomplish this you will need to prepare for the following:
With respect to identifying documentation, you must present an official government-issued identification card or passport. Non-citizen residents must have also secured temporary or permanent residency prior to being able to register a vehicle under your name.
As proof of address, this information is required by regulating bodies to verify you have an established address in Serbia for purposes of determining which local municipality will issue your license plates as well as collecting your vehicle registration tax payments.
A sales contract (Kupoprodajni ugovor) is a legal document between a Buyer and a Seller providing structure to a transaction. The contract outlines complete information related to the Vehicle, the agreed purchase price of the Vehicle, and contact information for both parties.
The seller is required to provide the Original Car Registration Certificate (as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act). The information on that document must match each item present on the actual car such as license plate numbers, vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine specifications.
The car must have Third Party Liability (TPL) coverage before it can be claimed or driven legally. Ensure that you obtain proof of current insurance from the seller and produce it when making a claim.
In Serbia, just signing a contract is not acceptable evidence of completion of the transaction. You must go to a public notary (Javni beležnik) with the seller before either of you can sign the contract in order for the signatures to become legally valid. You will also have to pay a small fee to the notary for this service. Once you have had the contract notarized you will be liable for paying the vehicle transfer tax at your local tax administration office before you can go to the police station to register your vehicle there.
Buying a vehicle is a very significant purchase which requires a lot of money and time. You will want to follow all eight steps in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises or get the best value.
Determine the total amount you are willing/able to pay for the vehicle based on all related expenditure (such as notary costs, transfer/taxes, registration fees & any/all possible immediate repairs). Then identify what category of vehicle will meet your lifestyle (example: compact hatchbacks for urban parking versus larger SUVs for weekend trips).
Conduct an investigation into reputable digital marketplaces in order to compare prices, specifications, and mileage within the state of Florida. When researching, look for patterns within price structures so as to ascertain fair market value for the vehicle(s) being sought after - there may be both private individuals selling their cars and/or dealerships. Many times a dealership will provide short-term warranty coverage and perform all necessary paperwork while an individual will typically have a more cost efficient option.
After gathering necessary pricing information you will want to contact the seller to get answers to any questions you may have prior to scheduling a time to see the vehicle. Examples of questions to ask the seller are: How has the car been maintained? Why is the seller selling the car? Has the car ever been in an accident? Has the car ever been imported to Serbia?
Then visit the vehicle(s) in person as well as test drive them. Be sure to listen to the engine run smoothly and listen closely when braking hard to ensure proper operation. Examine all aspects of operation including climate control, engine performance and road performance. If you do not consider yourself to be an expert in this area, take along a trusted friend who can help evaluate the car during the test drive.
In general, the price of used vehicles in Serbia are not final prices. You should use the information accumulated during your investigation of the used car market and the inspection of the particular vehicle to negotiate a fair purchase price for both buyer and seller.
After agreeing to a price, you will complete the Sales Contract, visit the Notary (who will notarize the sales contract), pay the necessary transfer tax at your local tax authority, and register the vehicle at the local Ministry of Interior (MUP) office.
The used car market may have hidden dangers. You can protect your investment by checking for safety and verifying the legal status of the vehicle.
The VIN number is the car's fingerprint; check the VIN number of the car against an online source that logs vehicle history. Vehicle history checks will inform you of accidents, odometer rollback, and theft. You should also check that the VIN number stamped into the vehicle matches the VIN number that is present on the vehicle registration.
The exterior shine of the car can hide mechanical problems. It is essential to have the vehicle professionally inspected prior to purchase by a professional mechanic. The mechanic will lift the vehicle to check for rust weaknesses and inspect the suspension system; they will also perform a computer diagnostic test to check for hidden fault codes and evaluate the condition of the drivetrain and transmission.
Serbia has strict vehicle safety and emission regulations; therefore, you should confirm that the vehicle has passed the required technical inspection (Tehnički pregled). During a vehicle technical inspection, a car that has been modified with an aftermarket exhaust or diesel particulate filter (DPF) removed will not pass inspection, resulting in the vehicle being illegal to operate until repaired.
It is important to understand the overall regulatory situation in Serbia to avoid wasting time and legal issues.
Tourists cannot register vehicles in Serbia. You must have an approved temporary or permanent residency permit to have your vehicle with valid registration in Serbia. The term of your vehicle registration is tied to the term of your residency; therefore, upon expiration of your residency, your vehicle registration will also expire.
It is against the law to operate a vehicle in Serbia without having a minimum amount of third-party liability insurance. Each person that causes damage to another person or property in a vehicle accident is liable for damages caused by their negligence.
The minimum required amount of third party liability insurance is very low, and therefore you should consider obtaining Kasko insurance, which covers your vehicle against theft, damage from bad weather, and damage from an accident that you caused.
Many people wishing to purchase a used vehicle import their vehicle from other EU countries such as Germany or Switzerland. If you decide to import a vehicle, you will be required to pay an import duty, customs fees and 20% VAT on the vehicle based upon the assessed catalog value of the vehicle.
The vehicle must also meet the minimum Euro emission standards acceptable per Serbian law (currently Euro 4 or higher) and pass an inspection by the Auto-Moto Association of Serbia (AMSS).
Buying a used automobile in Serbia is not difficult or stressful. If you are knowledgeable and take the time to conduct research you can be confident and defendably complete a purchase of a vehicle. You should ensure that you perform due diligence regarding research, require a good mechanical inspection and ensure that you follow the legal processes regarding the notarization of documents to register the automobile with the Serbian government.
If you follow these few steps, regardless of whether you purchase from an individual or a professional dealer, you will be able to drive away in an automobile that is both safe and reliable and will provide you with years of trouble-free use. You can use this guide as a map to finding your perfect car and enjoy the process.
In order to complete the transaction, you must possess a current government-issued Identification card or Passport, proof of residency, an executed sales contract, the original vehicle registration and proof that you possess current third-party liability insurance. If you are a foreign national, you must provide a resident's permit as well.
Purchasing from an individual seller is usually safe if you take proper precautions. Always verify the vehicle Identification Number (VIN), obtain a mechanical inspection by a qualified mechanic and make certain all documents are properly notary stamped as required. Individual sellers typically offer a lower purchase price than auto dealerships, however, if you purchase from an individual rather than a dealership, there will be no warranty.
There are a number of costs to factor into budgeting the total cost to import an automobile to Serbia; the costs include shipping charges, customs duties, a Value Added Tax of 20 percent, based on the catalog value of the vehicle being imported, AMSS homologation fee and the costs associated with the final inspection and registration of the imported vehicle.
Every year, you are required to obtain and maintain a current Vehicle Technical Inspection (Tehnički pregled) on your automobile in Serbia. The annual inspections are very detailed and are designed to ensure that your automobile has brakes, steering, lights and emissions in accordance with the national safety code.
Prior to purchasing the automobile, check the VIN for any history, review the Service Record Book for consistent service intervals and take the car for a test drive. Most importantly, if at all possible, you should have the automobile inspected by an independent licensed mechanic to uncover any hidden defects or problems associated with the automobile.