Turkey second-hand vehicle market: Debt liabilities and 2026 transfer fees

In the Turkish second-hand vehicle market, buyers and sellers face specific legal and financial obligations regarding debts and transfer costs.

Regarding outstanding debts, while notary systems block sales involving active liens, taxes, or recorded traffic fines, delayed penalties—such as those from speed cameras or bridge tolls—may take 15 to 30 days to appear in the system. According to the Turkish Code of Obligations and Supreme Court precedents, any legal or financial liability incurred before the exact date and time of the notary sale remains the responsibility of the seller, even if the fine is processed after the transfer.

Additionally, new regulations effective January 1, 2026, impact the total cost of vehicle ownership. A transfer fee of 2 per mille (0.2%) is applied to vehicle sales, with a minimum fee of 1,000 TL. When calculating the total budget for a vehicle purchase, buyers must account for this fee, mandatory traffic insurance, potential maintenance needs, and inspection dates, as the advertised price does not include these transaction and upkeep costs.