How to sell a car remotely?

According to the law, in addition to the owner, other persons can sell the car:

• Trusted person . The owner can issue a notarized power of attorney to another person who will act on his behalf. The power of attorney must clearly state the powers of the trusted person, including the right to sell the car. The trusted person must have the original PTS and passport with him.
• Co-owner . If a car has several owners, then the consent of all is required to sell it. Consent can be expressed in writing or by joint presence at the conclusion of the sales contract. If one of the co-owners cannot be present, he can issue a power of attorney.
• Car dealership . You can also sell your car through a car dealership. In this case, the car dealership will look for a buyer, process the documents, etc. The advantage of this option is that you don’t have to look for a buyer or process the documents yourself. In addition, the car dealership can offer a better price than if you sell it yourself. But there is a downside – you will have to pay the car dealership’s commission. Another nuance is that the owner will not have full control over the sales process.

If the owner is abroad and wants to sell his car, he needs to issue a power of attorney to the person who will act on his behalf. A power of attorney to sell a car abroad can be issued:

• At the Russian consulate in the host country . To do this, you will need to make an appointment, provide the necessary documents and pay the consular fee. The list of required documents may vary depending on the host country. Therefore, it is recommended to find out in advance what package of documents will be required.
• At a local notary . In this case, you need to find a notary who speaks Russian or has a translator. You should clarify with him what documents are required to draw up a power of attorney. This document should indicate the full name and passport details of both the authorized person and the owner. You also need to indicate the state registration number of the car (PTS), information about the vehicle (make, model, year of manufacture) and a list of powers that are transferred to the authorized person (the right to conclude a purchase and sale agreement, receive money). The power of attorney must be notarized. After that, it must be sent to your authorized person.

It remains to add that the authorized person can conclude a contract of sale of the car with the buyer, receive money from him, and also re-register the car in the name of the new owner.

Having determined whether it is possible to sell a car abroad, it is worth noting that since 2021, remote sales via the State Services portal have become possible in Russia. Before selling a car remotely, you need to:

• Register on the State Services portal and have a verified account.
• Prepare electronic copies of the vehicle title, vehicle registration certificate and purchase and sale agreement.
• Both parties to the transaction must have electronic signatures.

If all these conditions are met, then to sell a car abroad you need to:

1. Fill out an application on the State Services portal. You will need to provide information about yourself, the buyer, and the car.
2. Attach electronic copies of the vehicle title, vehicle registration certificate and sales contract to the application.
3. Send the application to the buyer for signature. The buyer must sign the contract with an electronic signature.

After the buyer signs the contract, the money for the car will be transferred to the seller’s account. Information about the change of owner is automatically registered with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.

The decision to sell a car abroad through State Services allows you to count on the following advantages:

• There is no need to go anywhere, everything can be done online.
• The transaction is registered within one business day.
• All data is protected by an electronic signature.
• There is no charge for the service.

The disadvantage of selling a car through State Services is that you need to have electronic signatures. Not all buyers are ready to agree to a remote transaction. If the owner sells a car through State Services, then it is necessary to issue electronic signatures for yourself and the buyer in advance, draw up a sales contract in electronic form, and also take a photo of the PTS and STS.

In addition to the State Services portal, there are a number of other online services that can help sell a car remotely: Firstly, car history check services are in demand: For example, Avtokod allows you to check the history of a car by VIN code for accidents, restrictions, liens and other encumbrances. This can be useful for both the seller and the buyer, as it increases confidence in the transaction. But ProAvto offers history check services by VIN code, as well as an assessment of the market value of a car.

Secondly, specialized ad platforms are often used for remote sales. For example, Drom is considered one of the most popular ad platforms for selling cars in Russia. Here you can place an ad for sale, provide detailed information about the car, etc. The site has the ability to create an online application for an expert to visit the car and determine its current market value.

Auto.ru is another large platform for car sales ads. Here you can not only place an ad, but also use the services of an auto lawyer who will help you draw up a sales contract, register the transfer of ownership, etc.

Thirdly, there are secure transaction services. For example, Avtoteka acts as a guarantor of payment and transfer of ownership. SberAuto also offers secure car purchase and sale services. The service is integrated with the Sber ecosystem. Thanks to this, the parties to the transaction will be able to make payments conveniently.

There are also remote assessment services. They allow you to get an online assessment of the market value of a car. To do this, you need to provide photos of the car and its characteristics.

To successfully sell your car remotely, it is recommended:

• Take quality photos of the car. The more photos, the better. Photos should be taken in good lighting and from different angles.
• Make a detailed description of the car. You need to indicate the brand, model, year of manufacture, mileage, configuration, service history, etc.
• Be honest with the buyer. Don’t hide the car’s defects. The more honest the seller is, the less likely it is that problems will arise after the sale.
• Draw up the sales contract correctly. It must contain all the necessary information about the seller, buyer and car.
• Don’t rush into selling. It’s worth comparing prices before you decide on the value of your car.
• Be vigilant. It is recommended to use a secure transaction through an autopayment service.
• Draw up a vehicle acceptance certificate. It must indicate the date, time, place of the transaction, as well as information about the seller, buyer and vehicle.
• Deregister your car with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. This can be done online through the State Services portal.

Selling a car remotely can be a convenient and quick way. However, it is important to take all necessary precautions to protect yourself from scammers. It is also recommended to consult a lawyer before selling a car remotely.