How to check a used car before buying it in Romania
In short
Before buying a second-hand car in Romania, ask the seller for the RAR Vehicle History report — they are legally required to provide it. It shows the mileage recorded at every technical inspection, major damage affecting steering or braking, and manufacturer recall campaigns. Then check the chassis number on the car against the documents, the tax situation and any liens — all of it takes under an hour and can save you thousands of euros.
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Romania’s second-hand car market is huge — and, unfortunately, full of rolled-back odometers, hidden damage and cars carrying debts. The good news: most problems surface in under an hour, through checks you can do yourself, free or nearly free. This guide shows exactly what to ask for and what to look at.
The document many buyers do not know they can demand
The key tool is the RAR “Vehicle History” report, and here is the part few people know: the seller is obliged to provide it. It is not a favour you ask for — it is a legal obligation when selling the vehicle.
The report shows:
- the mileage read at every technical inspection, so its real evolution over time;
- major damage affecting the steering or braking systems;
- the manufacturer’s recall campaigns.
If the seller “has no time”, “will bring it later” or suggests you just look at the car, treat that as the final answer: they have something to hide.
The three checks that prevent big losses
- The chassis number (VIN) — stamped on the body, compared with the documents. Mismatches or tampering marks mean a stolen or “cloned” car. Walk away immediately.
- Securities and debts — a lien or an unfinished leasing contract means someone else has rights over your car, even after you paid for it.
- An inspection at a garage you choose — not the seller’s. A few hundred lei that can save you thousands of euros in repairs.
Red flags not to ignore
- The seller rushes the deal or pushes for a deposit before checks;
- The documents are in someone else’s name, with no notarised power of attorney;
- Interior wear (steering wheel, pedals, seat) does not match the dashboard mileage;
- Refusal of an independent garage inspection.
If you do decide to buy, the next step is transferring the car into your name — see the guide on registration and ownership transfer, including the 90-day deadline you must not miss.
Steps to follow
- Ask for the RAR Vehicle History report. This is the official document issued by the Romanian Automotive Register, gathering the mileage readings taken at technical inspections, reported major damage and recall campaigns. The seller is obliged to make it available to the buyer. If they refuse or stall, treat it as a red flag.
- Compare the report's mileage with the dashboard. The report shows how mileage evolved over time. If the values drop from one year to the next, or the dashboard shows far less than the last reading, the odometer has been rolled back. It is the most common fraud on the used-car market.
- Check the chassis number (VIN) physically on the car. Compare the number stamped on the body and on the manufacturer's plate with the one in the registration certificate and the vehicle identity card. Any mismatch, tampering mark or replaced plate means you walk away.
- Check the documents and the seller's identity. Ask for the registration certificate, the vehicle identity card (CIV) and the seller's ID. The name in the documents must match the registered owner. If someone else is selling, they need a notarised power of attorney.
- Check for debts or security interests. A vehicle can be encumbered by a lien (security for a loan) or still be under a leasing contract. This is checked in the National Register of Movable Publicity, while the tax situation (unpaid local taxes) is confirmed by the tax certificate from the seller's local tax office.
- Check the technical inspection, insurance and damage. The periodic technical inspection (ITP) must be valid, and the RCA policy tells you about the vehicle's claims history. You can check RCA validity for free at aida.info.ro, by plate number.
- Take the car to an independent garage. The final and technically most important step: an inspection at a garage of your choosing (not the seller's), or a technical check at RAR. It costs little and uncovers problems the papers do not show — wear, hidden repairs, replaced body panels.
Required documents
- The RAR Vehicle History report (the seller's obligation to provide)
- The registration certificate, in original
- The vehicle identity card (CIV), in original
- The seller's identity document — the name must match the registered owner
- A notarised power of attorney, if someone other than the owner is selling
- Proof of a valid technical inspection (ITP)
- The tax certificate (proof of no outstanding local taxes)
Costs
| What you pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RAR Vehicle History report | RAR tariff | Usually borne by the seller, as it is their obligation; check the current tariff on rarom.ro |
| RCA check in the AIDA database | Free | Online, by plate number |
| Independent garage inspection | Variable | Usually a few hundred lei — the best investment in the whole process |
| Private history reports (optional) | Variable | Aggregate foreign data too; useful for imported cars |
Fees change over time. Always check the current amounts on the official websites listed under “Official sources”.
How long it takes
Checking the documents and the RAR report takes under an hour. An independent garage inspection usually takes 1-2 hours and needs booking in advance. Do all checks before paying any deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Is the seller really obliged to give me the RAR report?
Yes. When selling a vehicle, the owner is required to make a valid RAR Vehicle History report available to the buyer. Refusing to provide it is the clearest sign they have something to hide — usually a rolled-back odometer or major damage.
How do I spot a rolled-back odometer?
The RAR report contains mileage readings taken at every technical inspection. If the values do not rise consistently over time, or today's dashboard shows less than an older reading, the odometer was altered. Additional physical signs: wear on the steering wheel, pedals and seat that does not match the displayed mileage.
What is the risk if the car is stolen or has a lien?
With a stolen vehicle you lose both the car (it is confiscated) and your money. With a lien, the creditor can enforce their security over the car even though you paid for it. That is why checking the chassis number and the security register is mandatory, not optional.
Is a private history report worth paying for?
For imported cars, yes — the RAR report only covers the period the vehicle spent in Romania. Private services aggregate data from several countries and can reveal write-offs or mileage recorded abroad.
What if I discover the problem after buying?
If the seller deliberately concealed serious defects or falsified the mileage, you can go to court for hidden defects or even fraud. In practice, though, recovery is slow and uncertain — which is why all checks happen before payment, not after.