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• Sales or purchase contract outlining purchase terms, vehicle specifics, and buyer/seller information.
• Validity of all documents and whether it’s all correct or not can be verified with the Portuguese Institute of Mobility and Transport (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes – IMT). Furthermore, you can run a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check through various online VIN decoder portals to examine accident history, mileage, etc.

Where to Buy a Used Car in Portugal?

Those who prefer to buy a used car will find some of these options in Portugal:

Car dealerships in Portugal

Portugal has a vast range of car dealerships, you will find that they sell both the new cars and used cars. Some of the dealerships offer only second hand vehicles, as well as some dealers have only deals in particular types of cars such as classic cars or vintage cars. The advantages of buying your used cars from dealers is that you may take out some risks from the purchasing. 

Because dealers can take care of all your paperwork such as registration and they will make sure that this car has had a necessary IPO test, and also give a minimum one year warranty of that used vehicle. You can also ask for a vehicle report if you have any doubt or unsurely about anything in the vehicle. Because the dealerships provide over all services so they tend to charge slightly higher prices.

Buying a used cars in Portugal online

Buying used cars in Portugal from private owner

You can also buy your used car from a private seller in Portugal and save your money. Private sellers are willing to negotiate the price and if you are paying in cash in one go you might get a fantastic deal for your car. However, you don’t get the option of paying in installments. Additionally you won’t get a warranty from them and you are the one who has to take care of registration and all by yourself.

Meanwhile private sellers should still provide the necessary paperwork such as– existing registration forms, IPO report and next inspection date (if the car is over four years old), and transfer of ownership form. You can also ask for a purchase agreement detailing information such as the vehicle’s age, mileage, maintenance history, and number of previous owners. At least, try to find out this information before buying.

If a seller demands you to pay a deposit for a car, please make sure you use an escrow account or another third-party holding service. This is a secure way of protecting both buyer and seller during the exchange of funds. You can find many private sellers on the used car sites listed we provide above. You can also find them through here:

• Classified ads in local and national newspapers
• Auto magazines such as Turbo
• Membership sites such as ACP
• Local community notice boards for shop windows
• Community forums or social networks
• Used car fairs and auctions, which are usually advertised in magazines and newspapers

How to register your car in Portugal?

In Portugal every vehicle must be officially registered with the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes) whether it’s new, used, or imported. Avoiding to complete this registration could lead authorities to take possession of the vehicle. If you make a purchase through a dealership, they will handle your registration process on your behalf.

Otherwise, you have to register your vehicle within the period of 60 days from the date of purchase. You can do this through the Institute of Registries and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado – IRN).

You can register your car via online, at an IRN vehicle registry office, or at a citizen’s shop (Lojas do Cidadão) within Portugal. When you start this process, make sure to bring all the following documentation along with you (or send electronic copies if registering online):

• Your identification document, such as your passport
• Your NIF number (Número de Identificação Fiscal), which is your tax identification number.
• Proof of your residence in Portugal, such as a residence permit or evidence of your address
• A completed and signed registration form or a transfer of ownership form if the vehicle is used (Requerimento de Registo Automóvel)
• An EU certificate of conformity or an equivalent safety certificate, especially if the vehicle originates from a non-EU country
• An IPO (Inspeção Periódica Obrigatória) vehicle inspection certificate if the car is older than four years. If an IPO inspection is necessary, you can locate a list of authorized inspection centers here.

You will receive your registration certificate (Documento Unico Automóvel – DUA), after you’ve registered and paid the registration fee. This registration certificate is valid until you sell the car or choose to deregister it. Keep your DUA with you every time in your car dashboard along with your car insurance certificate.

Apart from some other European countries, it’s not needed to change your license plate if you’re moving to another region of Portugal. You will get further updated information about registering vehicles in Portugal on the government online portal.

Car Costs in Portugal

Excluding the initial cost of purchasing a vehicle, there are some additional costs to consider when you are buying a car in Portugal:

Registration fee: When you register your car, this is normally between €55 and €65. If you are registering online, then you can save some money. You have to Make sure that you register your car within 60 days of buying it.

Taxes: One-time vehicle tax (Imposto Sobre Veículos – ISV) is required for new or imported cars. An annual circulation tax (Imposto Único de Circulação – IUC) renews license plates and permits road usage. Both are dependent on vehicle type and CO2 emissions.

Car insurance: Without mandatory liability insurance you shouldn’t drive a motorized vehicle in Portugal. Minimum third-party insurance is important and it is based on car value, insurance type, and the driver’s risk profile.

Maintenance: A €30 IPO inspection is obligatory for cars aged four years, repeated every two years for 4-8-year-old vehicles, and after that annually.

Fuel costs: Those vary and have seen increases in line with the rest of the world. Note that generally, in mainland Europe, diesel fuel is cheaper than petrol/ gasoline. Current average prices per liter for fuel can be found here.

Toll roads: Motorway tolls must be paid, potentially up to nearly €25 on some routes. The charges may vary route to route.

Conclusion

Always remember to take your time and do thorough research before buying a car in Portugal, to find the right vehicle for your needs and budget. If you’re unsure about any aspect of the buying process, don’t hesitate to seek advice from trusted sources or professionals in the automotive industry.