Cars with Ukrainian license plates are actively bought all over Europe, is it worth selling them for next to nothing

In profile groups of Ukrainian refugees on social networks, there are a lot of ads with “profitable” offers on “buying a car on Ukrainian registration“. As a bonus, the speed of the transaction and “cash in hand” are indicated.

In the European Union, a hot time has come for resellers who actively purchase cars of Ukrainian refugees in an effort to earn money. In fairness, it should be noted that many Ukrainians themselves are trying to get rid of the car. Some because of financial difficulties, others are afraid that they will have to re-register the car and pay taxes, and this, according to the head of Autoconsulting Oleg Omelnitsky, “may be an amount comparable to the cost of the car itself.”

“Horror stories” from car dealers

Buyers of Ukrainian cars are actively exaggerating the topic of approaching “hour X”, when you have to put the car on European accounting. Thus, they sow panic among Ukrainian drivers and offer to buy a “problem” car at a discount, but for “live” money.

In private conversations, sellers in every possible way convince “to get rid of cars with Ukrainian registration, if you are not going to return to Ukraine.” They say that soon they will have to register the car in the host country, and this is “very expensive” and “does not make sense.” Omelnitsky confirms:

“For example, cars, the market value of which is 4-5 thousand dollars, are bought at a thousand.”

Journalists publications “Strana” contacted auto buyer Konstantin, offering for sale a 2016 BMW 3 Series in good condition and with low mileage. The car is supposedly in Italy. The potential “buyer” said that the market value of such a car in Ukraine is 14 thousand dollars (actually – about 17 thousand), but he is ready to give 10 thousand. Konstantin promised to bring cash, and to re-register a car for a new owner, he only needs “photos of documents”:

“In Ukraine, we ourselves re-register through our people. If the owner is not in Ukraine, we just come, give money, pick up the car and re-register it ourselves in Ukraine.”

That is, you do not even need a power of attorney. Under current legislation, the owner or his authorized representative can remove the car from the Ukrainian register with a notarized power of attorney. Thus, apparently, buyers have already established a scheme for the rapid re-registration of cars in Ukraine.

Strana journalists tried to figure out whether Ukrainians need to re-register their cars with European numbers, how much it costs, whether it makes sense to give the car to buyers for half the price, and often literally for a penny.

Ukrainian refugees who had cars in Ukraine left for Europe on them (who had such an opportunity). And already in the first months after the start of the war, buyers appeared with offers to buy such cars and save the owners from the “headache” of their design. In Germany and Italy, people were offered to buy their cars on Ukrainian registration with a discount of 30%. Recently, however, buyers have stepped up across Europe:

“We are engaged in a quick purchase of cars on Ukrainian registration in Europe. Offers in private messages.”

Experts say that Ukrainian refugees, even if they are not going to return to their homeland in the near future, can come to Ukraine themselves, deregister the car and sell it on the spot. Even if they offer the car to resellers, the discount will be 10-15% of the market price, not 30-70%.

However, this option is not suitable for everyone, so many refugees themselves try to sell their cars without leaving Europe. There are a lot of fresh ads in the Facebook group “I will sell a car on Ukrainian numbers”. Prices are lower than market prices, but not much, by about 10-15%: Renault Megan 2015 in Poland is set for $9,400, Hyundai Getz 2007 in Slovakia – $4,000, Dodge Caliber 2006 in Lithuania – $4,000 and etc.

In the comments to the ads, “potential buyers” note “exorbitant” prices and predict that Ukrainians will “soon give away their cars for free.” The “horror story” is the same – the need to put cars on European records.

Do Ukrainians need to re-register a car in Europe?

According to lawyers, you can safely drive around Europe in a car with Ukrainian numbers for 6 months. Then the question of registering the car at the location may arise. For Ukrainians, many countries of the European Union have already extended up to a year, but it’s already expired. That is, in theory, you need to put the car on European registration and pay for this procedure. Can this be avoided?

You can get around the requirements if, for example, periodically travel outside EU and then drive back. In this case, six months are counted from the last race. That is, the same scheme that allowed the owners of euro plates not to clear a car in Ukraine. You can simply cross the border after a certain time, however, now in the opposite direction – from Europe to Ukraine.

On the Visit Ukraine platform, they explain that the general rule is to register a car in Europe after 6 months of being there. “But cars with Ukrainian registration are allowed to use up to one year.” And then – you need to register.

How much does registration cost

In Germany, for example, the procedure costs 31-100 euros, depending on the place of residence. Registration will require statement in Zulassungsbehorde, documents and vehicle valuation from an expert company.In the list of documents – “Certificate of customs clearance“. This implies customs clearance, payment of duties and taxes – up to 30% of the cost of the car. But the rules and the list of documents may vary. You will have to pay for registered cars tax – 200-500 euros per year depending on the type of car and engine. You will need to buy separate insurance.

in Italy Ukrainian refugees must register a car in the Register of Foreign Vehicles (REVE) through an electronic system within a year. In return, they receive a certificate to be presented to the police upon request. Registration must be changed every time you change your place of residence in this country, and if the car is not registered for you, then you will need a power of attorney from the Ukrainian owner. You don’t need to put a car on Italian numbers or pay for customs clearance.

In Lithuania there is a rule on re-registration of a car after a year of its stay in the country. For this you need:

• carry out a vehicle inspection;
• provide insurance;
• provide expert data that the vehicle complies with the technical standards adopted in Lithuania;
• present a Ukrainian registration certificate.

Then the driver will be given Lithuanian numbers and a registration certificate. Registration, examination and maintenance will cost approximately 200-300 euros. It is not necessary to remove a car from Ukrainian registration, i.e. the issue of customs clearance of a car in Lithuania with the payment of duty and VAT is removed.

In most EU countries, a period of one year is critical, so for those who entered immediately after the start of the war, hour “X” occurs at the end of February. In some countries, subject to customs clearance, VAT and registration costs, the cost of re-registration can be comparable to the cost of the car itself. According to the expert:

“Taking into account the payment of duties and taxes, and red tape, such a car is really easier to sell. Especially since in Europe you can buy an inexpensive car in return at the local registration.”

Are there options

However, it is possible that for Ukrainian refugees the requirement for mandatory re-registration of a car may be canceled (as they decided to exchange a driver’s license for foreigners). Poland, for example, has already taken such a step, until December 31, 2023. It is expected that other European countries may also approve such a rule. In most EU countries, temporary protection status is valid until March 4, 2023. Accordingly, by that time they should decide what to do with the car on Ukrainian registration. The Right to Defense Charitable Foundation states:

“Citizens of Ukraine who have received the status of temporary protection in the EU countries have the right to use Ukrainian rights and own cars registered in Ukraine at their new place of residence for the entire duration of the status. In general, until March 6, 2025, in accordance with the EU Regulation, which provides for an annual renewal of the status of protection.

There are real chances that you will not have to re-register a car, but this requires appropriate solutions in each country. In the meantime, only Poland has accepted this. Omelnitsky notes:

“For example, in the UK there is a requirement to re-register in six months. There is a simplified procedure for our refugees, but you still need to clear the car at customs. In addition, there is left-hand traffic, and our cars may have problems passing the technical inspection.”

The UK government website states that Ukrainians who have been driving a car with Ukrainian registration for more than 6 months can apply for an extension of this period without paying import duties, or apply for exemption from import duties due to a change of residence. In this case, the car will still need to be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Lawyers say that if we consider more or less profitable ways to sell cars on Ukrainian registration, that is, without the huge discount that buyers ask for, then there are not so many of them:

1. Arrive by car from Europe to Ukraine, remove it from registration and conduct a sale and purchase transaction, re-registering the vehicle to a new owner. But for this, the owner must enter the country, which is not suitable for everyone.
2. Issue a power of attorney at the Ukrainian consulate or at a local notary for a person who can transport a car to Ukraine and sell it without the participation of the owner. The power of attorney must necessarily stipulate the right of the authorized person to cross the border on a car, remove it from the register and sell it.

be careful

By the way, in addition to buyers, intermediaries also appeared in Europe. For 1-2 thousand euros and overhead costs, they undertake to act as your “confidant” and sell your car in Ukraine. Is it true no one can guarantee that they are not scammers. By issuing a power of attorney for an intermediary, you actually legalize all his actions with your car. Lawyers advise carefully checking intermediaries and signing additional agreements with them, specifying the terms of cooperation, commission, and so on.

Those who lived in Ukraine at the end of the 90s remember very well the smart young people with signs: “I will buy shares”, “I will buy gold”, etc. They were located in the most crowded places. Some people passed by, others rejoiced at such an opportunity and gave away both gold and shares for next to nothing. History repeats itself, only instead of signs – ads on the Internet. Everyone has the right to decide for himself what to do with his car. And we just tried to clarify the situation and help make the right decision.

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