{"id":2630,"date":"2026-05-27T06:42:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T03:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svaroglaw.com\/ukladannya-dogovoriv-kupivli-prodazhu-avtomobiliv\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T14:57:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T11:57:36","slug":"ukladannya-dogovoriv-kupivli-prodazhu-avtomobiliv","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/svaroglaw.com\/en\/advokat-po-dtp\/ukladannya-dogovoriv-kupivli-prodazhu-avtomobiliv\/","title":{"rendered":"Drawing up contracts for the sale and purchase of cars"},"content":{"rendered":"

The most costly mistake when buying a car is to check only what the seller shows you. A seizure order issued by an enforcement officer; a car used as collateral for a loan; a vehicle listed as stolen; tampered number plates \u2014 all these issues come to light after<\/strong> the paperwork has been finalised, when the money has already been paid.<\/p>\n

The contract of sale for a car is drawn up at a Ministry of Internal Affairs service centre or by a notary. However, neither the service centre nor the notary check<\/strong> for anything that could render the transaction invalid. That is not their role.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the real work is not \u2018drawing up the contract\u2019, but checking the car and the seller before you pay<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

+38 095 554-54-24<\/a> \u2014 legal advice<\/strong><\/p>\n

What to check before buying<\/h2>\n

Encumbrances.<\/strong> The car may be pledged as security for a loan \u2014 this can be checked via the State Register of Encumbrances on Movable Property. If you buy it, the bank will have the right to repossess your car.<\/p>\n

Seizures.<\/strong> These may be imposed by an enforcement officer as part of enforcement proceedings or by a court. It is impossible to re-register such a car.<\/p>\n

Wanted status.<\/strong> Whether the car is listed as wanted or not requires a separate check. A stolen car will be seized, and no one will refund your money.<\/p>\n

Actual owner.<\/strong> The person selling the car is not always the owner. A sale by power of attorney carries a separate risk: the power of attorney may be revoked, and upon the principal\u2019s death, it ceases to have effect altogether.<\/p>\n

Spousal consent.<\/strong> A car purchased during marriage is joint property. A sale without the consent of the other spouse is contestable.<\/p>\n

Identification numbers.<\/strong> Altered or \u2018re-stamped\u2019 chassis numbers are grounds for the car\u2019s seizure and criminal proceedings.<\/p>\n

Actual mileage and condition.<\/strong> This is no longer a legal check but a technical one \u2014 yet it is here that people most often cut corners.<\/p>\n

The seller\u2019s debts.<\/strong> If enforcement proceedings or bankruptcy proceedings have been initiated against the seller, the transaction may be declared invalid on the grounds that it was entered into to the detriment of creditors.<\/p>\n

Taxes on the sale of a car<\/h2>\n

The seller pays tax depending on which sale it is within the calendar year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Situation<\/th>\nPersonal income tax<\/th>\nMilitary levy<\/th>\nTotal<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
First sale of a passenger car in a calendar year<\/td>\n0%<\/td>\n0%<\/td>\n0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Second sale in the same year<\/td>\n5%<\/td>\n5%<\/td>\n10%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Third and each subsequent sale in the same year<\/td>\n18%<\/td>\n5%<\/td>\n23%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The buyer<\/strong> pays a levy to the Pension Fund<\/strong> upon the first registration of a passenger car in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

The year is counted as a calendar year<\/strong> \u2014 from 1 January to 31 December. Sales in December and January count as two different years, not \u2018two consecutive sales\u2019. You can legally save money on this if you sell several cars.<\/p>\n

The tax base<\/strong> is determined by the average market value or by an appraisal \u2014 you will not be able to reduce the price in the contract to lower the tax.<\/p>\n

\"Drafting<\/a><\/p>\n

Risks of schemes offered by sellers<\/h2>\n

\u2018Let\u2019s do it via a general power of attorney \u2014 it\u2019s cheaper.\u2019<\/strong> You do not become the owner. The principal can revoke the power of attorney at any time, and upon their death it ceases to have effect \u2014 and the car will form part of their estate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll put a lower amount on the contract to reduce the tax.\u201d<\/strong> If the transaction is declared invalid, you will be refunded exactly the amount stated in the contract.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll sell it as a gift.\u201d<\/strong> Gifts between unrelated parties are taxed differently \u2014 and are usually more expensive for the recipient.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll buy it in someone else\u2019s name.\u201d<\/strong> Registering the car in a third party\u2019s name creates the risk that this person will be deemed the owner in the event of a dispute.<\/p>\n

What must be included in the contract<\/h2>\n