How much can the transfer of ownership cost?
The cost of the change of ownership depends on many factors, but can vary between a minimum of 270 euros and a maximum of 1350 euros. Read on to find out how to calculate it.
If you've just hit the jackpot with a new used car or are considering selling yours for a new purchase, it's essential to understand how it works, how much it costs and how to save on transfer of ownership.
What is transfer of ownership?
Transfer of ownership, also known as transfer of ownership, is the bureaucratic procedure by which ownership of a vehicle is recorded in the public records from one person (individual or company) to another.
Once the car or motorcycle has been produced, it becomes the private property of the new owner.
How does the transfer of ownership occur?
Whoever sells or buys a car must comply with precise legal obligations. If you are buying/selling a car from the dealer you can also stop reading this article, the dealer will take care of all the bureaucratic process.
If instead, you are buying/selling between two individuals, you can choose to go to a vehicle practice agency (at an additional cost, of course) or do it all on your own, saving a lot of money.
Transfer of ownership only with CoP, what documents do you need?
If you decide to do everything yourself and you have the Certificate of Ownership (CoP) of the vehicle, you will need the following documents:
- Certificate of ownership of the vehicle in paper or digital form.
- Certificate of registration, the original plus one photocopy
- Deed of sale, valid in one of the following three forms:
- unilateral declaration of sale with authenticated signature of the seller, stamped, written on the back of the Certificate of Ownership in paper or digital form.
- a contract of sale drawn up bilaterally, with the authenticated signature of the seller and the buyer
- an authentic instrument, or a certified copy of the original, in sealed form
- PRA cover note indicating the tax code of the buyer (you can use the back of the PRA, in paper or digital form, or the NP3C form, which can be downloaded here)
- Buyer's identity document and tax code
- Seller's identity document
- Form TT2119, to apply for the update of the vehicle registration card (downloadable here)
Transfer of ownership only without CoP, what documents do you need?
If you don't have the certificate of ownership, you will need it instead:
- A copy of the report of loss of CoP or a statement of loss of CoP.
- Certificate of registration, original and one photocopy
- notarized Bill of Sale with authenticated signature (valid in all three forms mentioned above)
- PRA covering note indicating the tax code of the purchaser (you can use the back of the PRA, paper or digital, or the NP3C form, which can be downloaded here)
- Buyer's identity document and tax code
- Seller's identity document
- Form TT2119, to apply for a vehicle registration card update (downloadable here)
Where is the transfer of ownership?
The transfer procedure can be carried out in several offices:
- Municipality: here you can have your signature authenticated and then go, within 60 days, to the PRA where you get the new Certificate of Ownership and then go to the DMV to update the Registration Card.
- ACI: where you can have your signature authenticated and receive the updated Certificate of Ownership, which must be taken to the DMV.
- MotorizzazioneCivile: in the same way as ACI, at the motorizzazione you can have your signature authenticated and receive the updated Certificate of Ownership, which must be taken to the Motorizzazione Civile.
- STA: in the larger municipalities there is the Motorist's Telematic Desk, where you can authenticate your signature and register immediately at the PRA, obtaining the updated CoP.
How much does the change of ownership cost?
The cost of transferring ownership of a car is made up of two cost elements, one variable and one fixed. To get the exact cost of ownership transfer, you need to know the details of your vehicle to accurately calculate the variable cost element.
For more details on the cost of transfer of ownership we suggest you take a look at the article where we discuss how much it costs to transfer car ownership.
How to save on transfer of ownership
Unfortunately for many people it will prove to be a drain because, apart from DIY, there are no ways or "tricks" to save money on transferring ownership.
Doing the bureaucratic paperwork yourself which, if you put in the effort, can be done in a single afternoon is, in fact, the only way to save money on transferring ownership of cars and motorcycles.
We also remind you that the legal obligations described above apply to both agencies and DIY practices in the transfer of ownership. A buyer who fails to carry out the procedure correctly or who avoids completing even a single change of ownership risks financial penalties of 705 to more than 3500 euros, as well as the risk of having their vehicle registration book withdrawn.
If you are the seller, make sure that the buyer has actually formalised the change of ownership, otherwise you will remain the owner of the car/motorcycle for the PRA. This means that for any problems, from a speeding ticket to an accident report, you will still be responsible for the consequences of (still) owning your vehicle.
If you are young or inexperienced, our advice for saving on transferring ownership of your vehicle is to ask for help from a more experienced relative or friend who, if you haven't done it long ago, will be able to help you. As you have seen, the procedure is tedious and lengthy but not difficult, so even the less experienced with a little attention will know how to do it correctly.
