Buy a used car from a dealer or privately?

The short answer

From a private seller the car usually costs less and you hear its history straight from the owner, but you buy it as it is and have little recourse later. A dealer usually asks more, but as a business it is liable for two years under the consumer protection law and often handles the paperwork. With a dealer, payments over €2,000 go through the bank only.

The essentials

Private is usually cheaper, a dealer dearer because it takes on responsibility.
Get the dealer’s warranty in writing: how long and what it covers.
The name on the registration must match the person or company selling to you.

The comparison in one table

	Dealer	Private seller
Price	Usually higher	Usually lower
Liability	By law, two years	Six months unless excluded
Warranty	Often, in writing	Rarely
History	From the papers	From the owner
Paperwork	Often done by the dealer	Done by you
Payment	Over €2,000 by bank	Safer by bank
Trade-in	Often possible	Rarely

Why a dealer costs more

A dealer pays rent, staff, car preparation and the risk of complaints. That is in the price. In return you get a business with an address, a business number and legal liability. A private seller has none of these costs, but usually takes no responsibility after the sale either.

What to ask a private seller

Why they are selling and how long they have owned it. Someone who knows their car answers at once.
Whether they drove it themselves or bought it to resell. Many “private sellers” are traders without a showroom.
The service book, invoices and import papers.
Whether their name is on the registration certificate. If not, who the owner is and why they are not selling it themselves.

What to ask a dealer

What was done to the car before the sale: service, tyres, brakes. Ask for the invoices.
The warranty: how long, what it covers and where repairs are done. In writing, not by word of mouth.
Where the car came from and whether there are import papers and a service history.
Whether registration, the notary and the paperwork are included in the price.

In both cases

Inspect the car yourself or with a mechanic, take a test drive, compare the chassis number with the papers and sign a notarised contract. These apply equally, whoever is selling.

On MerrVetura every listing shows whether a private seller, a dealer or a verified dealer is selling. For dealers, also check the reviews and response time on their page.

Frequently asked questions

Does a car bought from a dealer come with a warranty?

Yes. Under Consumer Protection Law No. 06/L-034 (Art. 80), the dealer is liable if the car does not match the contract and this shows within two years of handover. You must report the fault within two months of discovering it, and anything that appears in the first six months is presumed to have existed at handover. You are entitled to free repair or replacement, otherwise to a price reduction or cancellation (Art. 78). Faults you knew about when buying do not count (Art. 77), so write them into the contract.

What if a fault appears after a private purchase?

Under Law No. 04/L-077 on Obligational Relationships, a private seller is liable for hidden defects that appear within six months of handover; you must report them in writing within eight days of discovery (Art. 465). The contract can exclude this liability (“as seen”), but not for a defect the seller knew about and concealed (Arts. 468 and 469). Your rights expire one year after the notice (Art. 483).

Can I pay for the car in cash?

Not at a dealer if the amount exceeds €2,000. Since 1 June 2026, according to the tax administration ATK, payments over €2,000 between a business and an individual must go through a bank or electronic payment, even when split into parts. According to the ATK notice, the decision covers deals between businesses and individuals; a sale between two private persons is not included. A bank transfer is still safer.

How do I recognise a trustworthy dealer?

Look at other buyers’ reviews, how long the dealer has existed and whether it gives the warranty in writing. On MerrVetura every dealership has its own page with reviews and average response time, and verified dealers carry a seal: their business number has been checked. Find them all under dealerships.

Can I trade in my old car?

At many dealers yes, private sellers rarely. Ask for the trade-in value separately from the price of the new car so you can compare both. For a guide figure, run the free valuation of your car.

Sources

Checked against the sources below. Rules can change: in individual cases the responsible authority decides.

Dealer or private seller: where to buy a used car