How to Buy a Car in Turkey: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)
If you plan to buy a car in Turkey, understanding every step of the process is essential. Whether you’re a foreigner or a Turkish citizen, the process has become much easier and safer in recent years — thanks to the secure payment system, digital notary registration, and the nationwide TÜVTÜRK inspection system.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know to buy a car in Turkey safely: from vehicle inspection and payment to ownership transfer and receiving your new license plate.
1. Steps to Buy a Car in Turkey
When you decide to buy a car in Turkey, here’s how the process works:
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Find the Car:
You can buy from a private owner, authorized dealer, or online platform such as sahibinden.com or arabam.com. Always review the car’s technical and legal history before you make an offer. -
Check for Debts and Liens:
Before payment, check on e-Devlet → Araç Sorgulama (Vehicle Inquiry) to confirm that the car has no unpaid traffic fines, taxes, or liens (haciz). A car with debts cannot be legally transferred until all are cleared. -
Request an Expertise Report (Ekspertiz Raporu):
Before finalizing your decision to buy a car in Turkey, it’s strongly recommended — and in some cases mandatory — to get an expertise report (araç ekspertiz raporu).
– The report is performed by authorized expertise centers approved by TSE (Turkish Standards Institute).
– It evaluates the car’s engine, transmission, suspension, electronic system, and body paint condition.
– It protects buyers from purchasing cars that have been in accidents or had hidden damage.
– For cars older than 8 years or with multiple owners, this report is especially valuable.
If you’re buying from a dealership, they usually provide the report. For private sales, you can take the car to an expertise center yourself before visiting the notary.
2. TÜVTÜRK Vehicle Inspection (Muayene) Certificate
Before you can legally buy a car in Turkey, the car must have a valid TÜVTÜRK inspection certificate, known as the “muayene raporu.” This is a technical inspection required by law for all vehicles to ensure safety and roadworthiness.
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What is TÜVTÜRK?
TÜVTÜRK is the official vehicle inspection authority in Turkey. Every vehicle must pass regular inspections conducted only at TÜVTÜRK centers. -
How Often is the Inspection Required?
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Private cars: every 2 years
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Commercial vehicles (taxis, vans, etc.): every 1 year
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Brand-new cars: the first inspection is due after 3 years, then every 2 years after that
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What Does the Inspection Include?
TÜVTÜRK checks your car’s brakes, emissions, suspension, lights, steering, and overall mechanical condition. If the car passes, you receive a TÜVTÜRK Inspection Certificate, valid until the next due date. -
Why It Matters When You Buy a Car in Turkey:
The notary will not complete the sale if the TÜVTÜRK inspection has expired. Therefore, always ask the seller for a valid muayene certificate before the transaction. If it’s expired, the seller must take the car to TÜVTÜRK and renew it before ownership can be transferred.
You can verify the inspection date and results anytime through e-Devlet → Araç Muayene Sorgulama or the TÜVTÜRK website.
3. The Secure Payment System (Güvenli Ödeme Sistemi)
A major update to the process to buy a car in Turkey is the introduction of the Secure Payment System, available on e-Devlet and most bank mobile apps.
This system protects both the buyer and seller by ensuring the payment and ownership transfer happen simultaneously.
How it works:
– The buyer transfers the car price to a temporary secure account.
– The money stays on hold until the notary finalizes the sale.
– Once the sale is completed, the funds are automatically released to the seller.
Supported banks include Ziraat Bank, Halkbank, VakıfBank, İş Bankası, Akbank, and Garanti BBVA.
This system eliminates the risk of fraud or fake transfer receipts — a common issue in private sales.
4. Payment Between the Same or Different Banks
If both the buyer and seller use the same bank, you can use the bank’s secure transfer feature directly in the app.
For example, in Ziraat or İş Bankası apps, you can select “Güvenli Ödeme” and complete the process instantly.
If the accounts are in different banks, the e-Devlet Secure Payment option is the safest and fastest method — even outside banking hours.
💡 Tip: Never hand over cash or make a regular EFT before the notary confirms the sale. Always use the secure payment system for your protection.
5. Ownership Transfer at the Notary Office
In Turkey, vehicle ownership transfer must be done at a Noter (Notary Office).
Both buyer and seller must attend in person and bring:
– ID card or passport
– Tax number (for foreigners)
– Car registration certificate (ruhsat)
– Valid TÜVTÜRK certificate
– Compulsory traffic insurance
The notary will:
– Verify all documents
– Check for any debts or unpaid taxes
– Confirm that the secure payment has been initiated
– Process the electronic ownership transfer
Within minutes, the sale is finalized, and you will receive a Sales Certificate (Satış Belgesi) — proof that you are now the legal owner.
6. Receiving Your New License Plate
After you buy a car in Turkey and the notary process is completed, the registration updates automatically in the system.
Depending on where you bought the car:
– Same city purchase: You can keep the same license plate.
– Different city purchase: You must apply for a new plate with your local Traffic Registration Office (Trafik Tescil Şube Müdürlüğü) or directly through the notary if available.
You can collect your new plates from an authorized plate printing center (plaka basım noktası) near the traffic office. Bring your ID and the sales certificate, and the plates will be ready within 15–30 minutes.
7. Blue Plate vs. Standard Plate
When foreigners buy a car in Turkey, they may receive a blue plate (with MA–MZ codes), depending on their residence status.
– Blue Plate:
a. Issued to foreigners with valid residence permits or foreign companies.
b. Offers some tax exemptions.
c. Only the registered foreigner and family members can drive the car.
d. Cannot be sold to Turkish citizens without changing the registration type and paying taxes.
– Standard White Plate:
a. Used by Turkish citizens and long-term residents.
b. Begins with the city code (e.g., 06 for Ankara, 07 for Antalya, 34 for Istanbul).
c. Foreigners with Turkish citizenship or long-term residence also get this plate.
8. After the Sale – Insurance and Registration
Once you buy a car in Turkey, you must:
– Obtain Compulsory Traffic Insurance (Zorunlu Trafik Sigortası) in your name.
– Consider Comprehensive Insurance (Kasko) for extra protection.
– Verify your registration through e-Devlet → Araçlarım (My Vehicles).
The new registration will show your name, plate number, and vehicle details instantly.
9. Extra Tips Before You Buy a Car in Turkey
– Always get an expertise report to avoid hidden issues.
– Check the TÜVTÜRK inspection date to make sure it’s valid for at least a few months.
– Avoid sellers who refuse inspection or rush the sale.
– If you’re a foreigner, ensure you have a residence permit and tax number before visiting the notary.
– Use secure payment only — never exchange cash or use regular transfers for vehicle sales.
Conclusion
The process to buy a car in Turkey in 2025 is modern, transparent, and secure.
From expertise reports to TÜVTÜRK inspections, and from e-Devlet secure payments to instant notary transfers, every step has been designed to protect both buyer and seller. Whether you are a local resident or a foreigner planning to drive with a blue plate, following these steps ensures your experience to buy a car in Turkey is smooth, legal, and worry-free. If you need more help or information feel free to contact us!