Buying a car with an encumbrance is one of the most common fraudulent schemes in the secondary market. According to traffic police, more than 12,000 transactions with cars pledged or under arrest. Moreover, 68% of buyers do not even suspect the presence of an encumbrance until the moment when the car can no longer be re-registered or sold. The Encumbrance Number is a unique identifier that is assigned to each vehicle title restriction. Checking it before the transaction allows you to avoid loss of money and litigation.

Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to request certificate from the traffic police or see PTS. However, the encumbrance number may be hidden in the database Federal Notary Chamber or Rosreestr, if we are talking about loan collateral or judicial arrest. In this article, we will look at where exactly to look for the encumbrance number, how to decipher it, and what to do if you have already bought a car with a “surprise”. We will pay special attention free and paid verification methods, as well as nuances that resellers are silent about.

Unlike data on accidents or mileage, information about encumbrances is not always displayed in open sources. For example, if a car is pledged to a bank, information can only be accessed through a request to Unified register of notifications of pledge of movable property (URP). At the same time, even experienced car lawyers sometimes confuse the encumbrance number with the arrest number or restrictions on registration actions. To avoid becoming a victim of scammers, it is important to understand the difference between these concepts and know where exactly to look for up-to-date information.

What is an encumbrance number and why check it

The encumbrance number is a unique numeric or alphanumeric code that is assigned to records in government registries when restrictions are placed on a vehicle. It may relate to the following types of encumbrances:

  • 🔒 Bail (for a car loan or a PTS loan)
  • ⚖️ Judicial arrest (as part of enforcement proceedings)
  • 📜 Restrictions on registration actions (for example, for unpaid fines)
  • 🔄 Leasing (if the car is not purchased)

Without checking this number, you risk encountering the following problems:

  • 🚨 Inability to re-register a car to the traffic police after purchase.
  • 💸 Bank's demand to return the car (if she is on bail).
  • 🚔 Seizure of a car by bailiffs (if arrested).
  • 📉 Fall in market value when trying to sell.

Case study: in 2023 Moscow region the buyer purchased 2018 Toyota Camry for 1.8 million rubles. A month later it turned out that the car was pledged to Sberbank with a debt balance of 900 thousand rubles. The encumbrance number was indicated in ERZ, but the seller provided a fake certificate of no restrictions. As a result, the buyer had to buy the car from the bank or return it to the former owner through the court.

⚠️ Attention: The encumbrance number may not be on the title, even if the car is pledged. From 2021, banks are not required to make notes in a paper document - an entry in the electronic register is enough.

Where is the encumbrance number stored: 3 official registers

Information about encumbrances is distributed across several state databases. Depending on the type of restriction, the number can be found in different sources:

Type of encumbrance Register How to get a number Verification period
Loan/leasing collateral Unified Register of Pledge Notifications (URP) Via the site reestr-zalogov.ru or notary 1–3 days
Judicial arrest FSSP Enforcement Proceedings Data Bank On the website fssprus.ru by VIN or license plate number 5–10 minutes
Registration restrictions Traffic police base Through a request to traffic police.rf or at MREO 1–5 days
Leasing without purchase Register of leasing companies Request to the lessor or through Rosreestr 3–7 days

It is important to understand that the encumbrance number does not always coincide with the number of the enforcement proceedings or loan agreement. For example, in ERZ it might look like 77AA1234567890, and in the FSSP database - as 1234567/23/77000-IP. In this case, both codes refer to the same car.

📊 How often do you check a car's history before purchasing?
Always
Only if there is suspicion
Never
I find it difficult to answer

Step-by-step instructions: how to check the encumbrance number online

The fastest way is to use official online services. Below is a verification algorithm for each type of encumbrance.

1. Checking the collateral through the ERP (if the car is on credit):

  • 🖥️ Go to the website reestr-zalogov.ru.
  • 🔍 Enter VIN or body/chassis number.
  • 📄 Pay for the request (cost: 350 rubles for individuals).
  • 📋 In the answer, find the field "Encumbrance record number" - this is the number you are looking for.

2. Verification of arrest through the FSSP:

  • 🖥️ Open search for enforcement proceedings.
  • 🔍 Specify VIN or license plate number.
  • 🔎 If the car is in the database, the results will contain the case number (example: 1234567/23/77000-IP).

3. Checking restrictions on registration with the traffic police:

  • 🖥️ Go to car check service.
  • 🔍 Enter VIN or body number.
  • 📋 In the section "Restrictions" The entry number (if any) will be indicated.

☑️ What you need to check before buying a car

Done: 0 / 5
⚠️ Attention: Some services (for example, Autocode or CarVertical) show encumbrances, but do not always display their numbers. For legal proceedings or buying a car from a bank, you will need an official number from the state register.

How to decipher the encumbrance number: structure and examples

The encumbrance number is not a random set of characters - it contains encoded information about the type of restriction and region. Let's look at the structure using examples:

1. Collateral number in the ERZ: 

77AA1234567890

└─┬─┘ │


│ └─────────── unique record number


└─────────────── region code (77 — Moscow)

The first two digits indicate the subject of the Russian Federation where the encumbrance is registered. Letters AA indicate the type of collateral (for example, AA - car loan, LL - leasing).

2. FSSP arrest number: 

1234567/23/77000-IP

└─────┬─────┘ │ │


│ │ └─────── FSSP department code


│ └───────── year of initiation of production (23 = 2023)


└──────────────── case number

3. Traffic police restriction number: 

RO-77123456

└─┬─┘ └───────┘


│ └────────── serial number


└──────────────── prefix “RO” (registration restriction)
What to do if the encumbrance number is not found?

If the number is not displayed in any registry, this does not always mean that the car can be purchased. Possible reasons:

  • 🕒 Database update delay (up to 30 days after the imposition of the encumbrance).
  • 📂 Error in VIN (check your entry is correct).
  • 🏛️ The encumbrance was imposed through the court, but has not yet been entered into the register.

In such cases, please ask extended extract from the traffic police through the MFC or a notary.

What to do if you have already bought a car with an encumbrance

If you find an encumbrance after purchase, the algorithm of actions depends on the type of constraint:

1. A car is pledged to the bank:

  • 📞 Contact the bank at the number indicated in the bank statement ERZ.
  • 💰 Specify the amount of debt and the possibility of buying the car.
  • ⚖️ If the seller hid the deposit, file a claim to terminate the transaction (Article 460 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).

2. Judicial arrest has been imposed:

  • 📄 Request a resolution from the bailiff (the case number is indicated in the FSSP database).
  • 🔍 Check if the arrest has been lifted (sometimes the data in the database becomes outdated).
  • 💼 If the arrest is valid, go to court to invalidate the transaction.

3. Registration restrictions:

  • 📋 Check the reason with the traffic police (unpaid fines, lack of compulsory motor insurance, etc.).
  • 💳 Pay debts or provide missing documents.
  • 🔄 After the restriction is lifted, re-register the car as your name.
  • 📸 Screenshots of correspondence with the seller.
  • 📄 Extract from the ERZ or FSSP with the encumbrance number.
  • 🎥 Video of the car inspection (if the VIN is visible on it).

These documents will help you prove in court that you were misled.->

⚠️ Attention: If the car is pledged, but you have already made changes to the title, the bank has the right to seize the car even without your consent (Article 349 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). In this case, it will be extremely difficult to return the money - you will need to prove that you are a bona fide purchaser.

How much does it cost to check the encumbrance number: prices in 2026

The cost of verification depends on the method and type of encumbrance. Below is the current tariff table:

Verification method Cost (RUB) Deadline Where to order
Extract from the ERZ (collateral) 350 1–3 days reestr-zalogov.ru
FSSP check (arrest) Free 5–10 minutes fssprus.ru
Extended extract from the traffic police 500–1 200 1–5 days MFC, traffic police.rf
Notary request 1 500–3 000 3–7 days Any notary
Full report (Autocode, CarVertical) 300–800 5–30 minutes avtocod.ru

There is no need to save on checking: the cost of an extract from ERZ (350 rubles) is hundreds of times lower than the potential losses from buying a mortgaged car. For example, the average amount owed on auto loans in 2026 is 600–900 thousand rubles — that’s exactly how much you’ll have to pay the bank if you buy such a car.

💡

Even if the seller has provided a certificate of absence of encumbrances, self-check is required. Fraudsters often falsify documents, and official registers are updated with a delay of up to 30 days.

Common mistakes when checking encumbrances and how to avoid them

Many buyers make the same mistakes that lead to the purchase of a problematic car. Here are the most common of them:

1. Check only by PTS:

🔹 Error: Assume that if there are no deposit marks on the title, then you can buy the car.

🔹 Solution: From 2021, banks are not required to make entries in the PTS - check ERZ necessarily.

2. Trust in the seller’s verbal assurances:

🔹 Error: Take your word for it that “everything is clear” or “the bank has already withdrawn the deposit.”

🔹 Solution: Request an official extract from ERZ or FSSP with the encumbrance number.

3. Ignoring the VIN code:

🔹 Error: Check the car only by license plate number.

🔹 Solution: License plates can be re-registered, and VIN - no. Always use it to check.

4. Checking only one registry:

🔹 Error: Look for encumbrances only in the traffic police or only in the ERZ.

🔹 Solution: Check all three bases: ERZ, FSSP and traffic police.

5. Purchase without a contract:

🔹 Error: Conclude a transaction by receipt or oral agreement.

🔹 Solution: Conclude purchase and sale agreement indicating VIN, license plate number and seller data.

📊 Which document do you check first when buying a car?
PTS
STS
Sales and purchase agreement
Extract from the ERZ
Other

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about the encumbrance number

🔍 Is it possible to check the encumbrance number for free?

Yes, but only partially:

  • 🆓 FSSP provides arrest information free of charge.
  • 💰 For checking the collateral in ERZ or restrictions in traffic police you will have to pay (from 350 rubles).

Free services like Autocode show encumbrances, but do not always display their numbers - this is not enough for legal proceedings.

⏳ How long is the encumbrance number valid?

The period depends on the type of encumbrance:

  • 📅 Loan collateral - until the debt is fully repaid.
  • ⚖️ Judicial arrest - until the court decision is executed.
  • 🚫 Registration restrictions — until the cause is eliminated (payment of fines, provision of documents).

After the encumbrance is lifted, the number remains in the registry archive, but loses its validity.

📄 Can the seller hide the encumbrance number?

Yes, scammers use several schemes:

  • 📑 Forge extracts from ERZ or traffic police.
  • 🔄 The car will be re-registered to a figurehead before sale.
  • 💰 They sell a car under a general power of attorney (the encumbrance remains with the previous owner).

The only way to protect yourself is self-check by VIN in official registers.

🚗 What to do if the encumbrance number is found, but the seller claims that this is a mistake?

Don't take my word for it - follow the algorithm:

  1. 📋 Ask the seller official confirmation of removal of encumbrance (for example, a letter from a bank).
  2. 🔍 Check the encumbrance number with the data in the registry (sometimes scammers show old certificates).
  3. ⚖️ If doubts remain, refuse the deal or conclude it through depositary (money will be transferred only after verification).
💰 Is it possible to get my money back if I bought a car with an encumbrance?

Yes, but it's a complicated process:

  • 📝 Pre-trial procedure: Write a complaint to the seller demanding to terminate the transaction.
  • ⚖️ Court: If the seller refuses, file a claim to invalidate the transaction (Article 178, 460 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).
  • 💸 Refund: If the court's decision is positive, you will be able to return the money or keep the car and pay the difference to the bank (if it is pledged).

The average time for consideration of such cases is 3–6 months.