Documents for selling a car by an individual: complete list for

Selling a car between individuals is a procedure that requires a careful approach to paperwork. An error on one form or a missing piece of paper can lead to problems with registration with the new owner, fines, or even invalidation of the transaction. In 2026, the rules remained the same, but there were nuances with electronic PTS and mandatory verification through the portal State services.

This article will help you avoid common mistakes: here you will find an up-to-date list of documents, step-by-step instructions for filling out a purchase and sale agreement (SPA), as well as answers to frequently asked questions. We will pay special attention to situations where the car is on credit, leased or has encumbrances - such cases require additional paperwork. If you are selling Toyota Camry 2018 or Lada Granta 2020, the procedure will be the same, but the nuances may differ depending on the payment method or the presence of technical faults.

1. Basic package of documents for selling a car

The minimum set of papers without which a transaction cannot be completed:

• 📄 Vehicle Passport (PVC) - original. From 2020 it may be in electronic form (ePTS), but its availability must be checked through Public services.
• 📝 Sales and purchase agreement (PSA) — 3 copies (for the seller, the buyer and the traffic police). The form can be downloaded on the website traffic police or fill out online.
• 🆔 Seller's passport - to confirm identity. If the car is jointly owned, passports of all owners are needed.
• 🔧 Diagnostic card (OSAGO) - if the policy has not expired. Without it, the new owner will not be able to obtain insurance.
• 🔑 Vehicle Registration Certificate (CTC) - not necessary for the transaction, but the buyer may require it to check the car’s history.

Important: if the PTS runs out of space for records about the owners, before selling you need to get duplicate at the traffic police department. Cost of service - 800 rubles (as of 2026), production time - up to 30 minutes. There is no need to duplicate the electronic PTS, since there are no restrictions on the number of owners.

2. Sales and purchase agreement: how to fill it out correctly

The DCT is the main document confirming the transfer of ownership. Errors in filling out may lead to the transaction being declared invalid. Use current form 2026 (you can download it from the website traffic police or State services). Main fields to be filled in:

• 📅 Date and place of imprisonment — indicate real data, as they affect the registration deadlines.
• 🚗 Vehicle data: brand (Kia Rio, Hyundai Solaris), model, year of manufacture, VIN, body/chassis number, color.
• 💰 Car cost - write the real amount. Specifying a low price can lead to problems with the tax authorities (for example, if you are selling for more than 250,000 rubles and have owned the car for less than 3 years).
• 👤 Passport details seller and buyer - no mistakes! Check the series, number and registration address.

Sample filling:

Field	Filling example
Brand, model	Toyota Corolla, 2019
VIN	JTMBK3BE00D123456
Price	1,200,000 (One million two hundred thousand) rubles
Seller's passport	4509 123456, issued by the Leninsky Department of Internal Affairs of Moscow on May 10, 2015

Once completed, all parties must sign. If the buyer pays for the car in cash, indicate this in the contract with the phrase: “The funds have been transferred to the seller in full before signing the contract.” For non-cash payments, attach it to the DCP bank statement or check.

All passport data matches the originals

VIN and body number are indicated without errors

The cost is written in numbers and words

Signatures of all parties are present

The date and place of imprisonment are indicated

-->

3. Additional documents in special cases

If the car has encumbrances, is on credit or lease, additional paperwork will be required:

• 💳 Bank's consent to sale - if the car is on credit. Without this document, the transaction will be illegitimate, and the new owner will not be able to re-register the car.
• 📑 Power of attorney from the leasing company — if you are selling a leased car. Typically, the lessor requires the debt to be repaid before the sale.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Notarial consent of the spouse - if the car was purchased during marriage and is joint property (even if only one owner is indicated in the title).
• 🔄 Acceptance certificate — not required, but recommended to record the condition of the car at the time of sale (especially if there is damage).

When selling a car with recycling fee (for example, foreign cars older than 3 years) the buyer will have to pay it upon registration. It is not necessary to notify the seller, but it is ethical.

Yes, on credit

Yes, on lease

No, it's a clean deal.

I don't know how to check -->

⚠️ Attention: If the car was purchased by general power of attorney (without re-registration), it can be sold only after registration of ownership. Transactions with such machines are often considered fraudulent!

4. Electronic PTS: what has changed in 2026

From November 1, 2020, all new cars are registered with electronic PTS (ePTS). If your car was produced after this date, you do not have a paper PTS - all data is stored in the database traffic police. You can check the availability of ePTS:

1. Through the portal State services (section “Transport and driving” → “Electronic PTS”).
2. On the website traffic police by VIN or license plate number.
3. In the mobile application "State Services Auto".

To sell a car with an EPTS it is enough:

1. Provide to buyer access to verification through Public services (for example, send a link to the car page).
2. Sign the DCP indicating that the PTS is electronic (phrase: “The vehicle passport is issued in electronic form”).
3. Receive from buyer confirmation of transfer of ownership (comes automatically after registration with the traffic police).

Advantages of ePTS:

• ✅ There is no risk of loss or damage to the document.
• ✅ No need to pay for a duplicate when changing ownership.
• ✅ All changes are made to the database automatically.

⚠️ Attention: If the buyer refuses to believe in the existence of the ePTS, offer to print out an extract from the register traffic police (cost - 350 ₽). This will not replace an electronic document, but will help convince of the legitimacy of the transaction.

5. Checking a car before selling: how to avoid problems

Before completing the transaction, the seller must ensure that:

1. For car no arrests or restrictions (checked via traffic police or Autocode).
2. All fines paid (unpaid fines do not block the sale, but may cause a price reduction).
3. VIN and body/chassis numbers not interrupted (checked during inspection at the traffic police).
4. Diagnostic card is valid (if the period has expired, the new owner will not be able to issue compulsory motor liability insurance).

If the car has been in an accident, honestly indicate this to the buyer. Concealing information about serious damage (for example, repainted body or replacing side members) may become a basis for termination of the transaction through the court.

What to do if the buyer demands to see the original PTS, but it is lost?

If you have an electronic PTS, show the buyer an extract from the registry traffic police (can be ordered online for 350 ₽). If the PTS is paper and lost, restore the duplicate at the traffic police before the sale. Without the original or an extract, the transaction cannot be completed!

Useful services for checking:

• 🔍 traffic police — registration history, arrests, search.
• 📊 Autocode - mileage, accidents, collateral history.
• 💰 Tax service — tax check (if the car is more expensive than 250,000 rubles and has been owned for less than 3 years).

6. Registration by the new owner: what the seller needs to know

After signing the contract, the seller must:

1. Transfer to buyer keys, STS (if any) and a copy of the policy.
2. Notify insurance company about the sale (if compulsory motor liability insurance is valid). This can be done by phone or through your personal account.
3. Deregister a car no later than 10 days (if the buyer has not registered it independently). This can be done via Public services without visiting the traffic police.

The new owner is required to re-register the car within 10 days. If he does not do this, the seller may deregister a car unilaterally. To do this you need:

1. Apply via Public services.
2. Attach a copy of the policy.
3. Pay the state fee (500 ₽).

⚠️ Attention: If the buyer does not re-register the car, but gets into an accident, the responsibility may fall on the seller! Always check the registration status 10 days after the sale.

7. Taxes when selling a car: when and how much to pay

If you are selling a car more expensive than 250,000 ₽ and owned it less than 3 years, you need to file a 3-NDFL declaration and pay tax 13% from the excess amount. For example:

• Sold for 800 000 ₽ → tax base: 800,000 – 250,000 = 550 000 ₽.
• Tax: 550,000 × 13% = 71 500 ₽.

Exceptions:

• ✅ Owned car more than 3 years - no tax is paid.
• ✅ Selling price less than 250,000 ₽ - no tax is paid.
• ✅ The car was received as an inheritance or by deed of gift (the period of ownership is counted from the date of death of the donor/testator).

The declaration must be submitted until April 30 the year following the year of sale. For example, if you sold a car in 2026, we submit the declaration until April 30, 2026. Tax must be paid before July 15.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to sell a car without STS?

Yes, STS is not required for sale, but the buyer may require it to check the car's history. Without STS, the new owner will not be able to drive the car until re-registration.

Do I need to deregister a car before selling it?

No, deregistration is not necessary. The buyer will re-register the car himself within 10 days. If he does not do this, you can deregister the car unilaterally through Public services.

What to do if the buyer does not re-register the car?

If it's passed more than 10 days, submit an application for deregistration through Public services. Attach a copy of the policy. This will protect you from fines and liability for an accident.

Is it possible to sell a car by proxy?

No, since 2013 sale by proxy is prohibited. The car must be registered as the property of the seller. An exception is a general power of attorney with the right to sell, but such transactions are risky.

Is it necessary to indicate the real cost in the DCP?

Yes, please indicate real price. If you indicate an underestimated amount (for example, 250,000 rubles instead of 1,000,000 rubles), the tax office may charge additional tax based on the market value.