Used vehicle 'scam' (and question)

Last activity 16 February 2024 by Peter Itamaraca

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KurterinoSerial expat16 February 2024 01:13:34

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(It’s not really a scam, but could easily be perceived as such if you learn about it after the fact)

I’ve started looking for a used vehicle and I just learned something that might be very well known, but I think it deserves a post/thread for those newbies like me who didn’t know anything about that (plus there’s a question too). So…if you buy a used vehicle, you have to make sure that the previous owner doesn’t owe any taxes (and possibly fines, but I’m not sure about that yet, question further down). For example for the state of Bahia, the verification page is here (https://servicos.detran.ba.gov.br/SituacaoVeiculo (you need a government ID to log in). Which leads me to my question: since this page not only show the status of the taxes, but also of the Multas, does this mean that unpaid traffic fines are a problem too (eg to be paid by the new owner)? While the tax thing does make sense, I couldn’t see a reason that the same should apply for fines, but it would be nice to be sure. What do you think?

Kurt

rraypoSerial expat16 February 2024 01:23:36

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(It’s not really a scam, but could easily be perceived as such if you learn about it after the fact)I’ve started looking for a used vehicle and I just learned something that might be very well known, \ -@Kurterino

Hey Kurt, I've posted this here numerous times and it's always worth resharing. I've always been told as a buyer of a used vehicle through a private party, It's best to bring the seller into DETRAN with you to clear past fines, registration, tax, etc. when you are buying. This is also the point where the seller gets paid.

I hope everything worked out great for you.

KurterinoSerial expat16 February 2024 02:57:42

410

(It’s not really a scam, but could easily be perceived as such if you learn about it after the fact)I’ve started looking for a used vehicle and I just learned something that might be very well known, \ -@Kurterino

Hey Kurt, I've posted this here numerous times and it's always worth resharing. I've always been told as a buyer of a used vehicle through a private party, It's best to bring the seller into DETRAN with you to clear past fines, registration, tax, etc. when you are buying. This is also the point where the seller gets paid.
I hope everything worked out great for you.

-@rraypo

I’m still looking, so I don’t know yet. But I’ll be probably buying a 50 cc scooter for under 3000 Reais, possibly less than 2k. At this price, even just a few hundred Reais of back taxes would represent a considerable percentage, so it’s going to be very important to be in the clear (on the other hand, the risk is pretty low. Even if I have to junk the vehicle, I won’t have lost more than a few hundred dollars). The advice about going to the Detran together with the seller is a great idea, however it restricts somewhat the area from where I can buy. If it’s too far away from a Detran office, the seller will be less inclined to do that.

My question about the Multas still stands: can unpaid Multas have the same effect, eg make the vehicle ‘un-registerable’?

Peter ItamaracaSerial expat16 February 2024 10:29:51

744

My question about the Multas still stands: can unpaid Multas have the same effect, eg make the vehicle ‘un-registerable’?

-@Kurterino

In my experience the fines have to be paid before a vehicle can be registered to a new owner...

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