Before paying: what to look at
A second-hand vehicle can come with baggage. The DGT report says whether there are seizures, court seals, retention of title pending finance, whether the ITV is valid and whether the vehicle is recorded as deregistered. Checking takes minutes and avoids buying a car that cannot be transferred.
What the DGT report does not say is whether there are debts with the council for road tax, which are checked separately and follow the vehicle. Nor whether there are fines yet to be notified.
And a warning we always give sellers: until the change of ownership is done, the vehicle remains in your name for fines and liability. Selling and trusting the buyer to do the paperwork is the number one source of scares months later.
The tax, which comes first
A sale between private individuals is taxed by transfer tax (ITP) at the regional tax office of the buyer's address. In the Valencian Community it is managed by the Valencian Tax Agency. The amount is calculated on the value of the vehicle according to the official valuation tables for means of transport, not on the agreed price, although the agreed price matters when it is higher.
When the seller is a company or a trader acting as such, the transaction goes by VAT and not by transfer tax: the invoice replaces the self-assessment. Confusing the two regimes is what makes a file come back.
There are cases of exemption and non-liability, for example certain transfers between relatives by inheritance, which have their own procedure. The practical rule: never file the transfer without the tax receipt, even if the result is zero.
How much a car transfer costs
There is no single price. The total cost combines the current DGT fee, the applicable transfer tax and, if you delegate the procedure, the gestoría's fees. The tax changes with the buyer's region and the tax value of the vehicle, so two cars sold for the same price can give different results.
Before accepting a quote it is worth separating each item: administrative fee, tax, professional fees and any necessary prior cost, such as cancelling a retention of title. The DGT publishes its updated fees and the regional tax office offers the applicable tables and form; that is why we do not fix a figure here that could go out of date.
Calculate transfer tax and DGT fee
With the number plate, the buyer's address and the vehicle details we can calculate the cost before starting the change of ownership and give a fixed quote.
Documents
- Sale contract signed by both parties, in duplicate.
- Registration certificate and technical sheet (ITV card) of the vehicle. If the ITV has expired, the vehicle cannot be driven until it passes.
- Identity documents of buyer and seller: DNI, TIE or passport with NIE.
- Receipt for the settlement of the transfer tax.
- If a representative acts, the relevant authorisation or power of attorney.
- If the holder has died, the inheritance documents and its acceptance.
When the procedure is filed online by a registered gestoría no DGT appointment is needed, which is where most of the time is lost.
Deadlines and what happens if they pass
The buyer has a period to report the change of ownership, and the seller has their own duty to notify the sale to the DGT. They are two separate acts and it is wise to do both: the notice of sale protects the seller even if the buyer delays.
After the deadline, the DGT can fine and the regional tax office applies surcharges on the tax. Neither amount is high on its own; together, and with a vehicle that is also accumulating unpaid road tax, the deal stops being worth it.
Shall we handle it for you?
Registered gestora administrativa, ICGA Valencia. Fixed quote before we start and a free first consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car?
It depends on the current DGT fee, the transfer tax calculated by the region and, if delegated, the gestoría's fees. It can be calculated before starting with the details of the vehicle and the buyer.
Who pays the tax in a sale between private individuals?
The buyer, to the regional tax office of their address. If the seller is a company or a trader acting as such, the transaction goes by VAT and the invoice replaces the self-assessment.
Can I transfer a car with an expired ITV?
The change of ownership can be processed, but the vehicle cannot be driven with an expired ITV. To take it to the inspection it must be moved without being driven.
I sold the car and fines keep arriving, what do I do?
If the buyer has not done the transfer, the vehicle is still in your name. File the notice of sale with the DGT with your copy of the contract: it is the document that separates you from later liabilities.
Is an appointment needed?
Not when the procedure is filed online by a registered gestoría. Filing it yourself, yes in most cases.
What if the holder has died?
The transfer is done from the estate, providing the inheritance documents and its acceptance. It is a different case from an ordinary sale and has its own taxation.
Legal basis
- Royal Decree 2822/1998, General Vehicle Regulation
- Royal Legislative Decree 1/1993, consolidated Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty Act
- Law 39/2015 on Common Administrative Procedure, art. 14 on electronic dealings with the administration
- Royal Decree 203/2021, Regulation on public sector action by electronic means
Official sources
- DGT electronic office: change of ownership
- DGT electronic office: vehicle procedures
- Generalitat Valenciana: form 620 for used vehicles
- DGT electronic office
Written by Irina Klein. Reviewed by Elena Alonso Volostnova, registered gestora administrativa (ICGA Valencia). Updated on 5 October 2026. This page is general information and does not replace personalised advice on your case.