To avoid purchasing a pledged vehicle on the secondary market, a buyer should verify that the VIN number listed in the seller’s advertisement matches the car’s actual chassis designation. It is essential to obtain the VIN from the notary and to request an extract from the pledge registry. This counsel came from Maxim Shelkov, who heads the Avtocriminalist expert center, during a discussion about safeguarding buyers against future creditor claims.
“Some sellers may present a back-up or altered VIN to complicate verification,” Shelkov noted. He advised buyers to demand all original documents and to perform a careful side-by-side comparison of the VIN stamped on the vehicle with the numbers shown in the paperwork. The comparison should also be cross-checked against the official federal notary pledge record to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Access to the federal notary chamber’s registry offers a practical way to confirm that the vehicle is unencumbered by any pledge. Shelkov emphasized that once this information is obtained, the buyer should immediately contact a notary to secure a certified extract from the pledge registry. Having this document in hand is a powerful safeguard for a prudent buyer, providing clear evidence that the vehicle is free of pledged rights at the time of purchase.
With a certified pledge history in place, a purchaser gains protection against potential future claims by creditors. The certified extract acts as a reliable shield, enabling the buyer to proceed with greater confidence and reducing the likelihood of downstream disputes tied to hidden encumbrances. The expert’s guidance reflects a broader principle: due diligence in vehicle transactions saves time, money, and stress in the long run.
In general terms, these steps form part of a meticulous verification process that responsible buyers should adopt when considering the purchase of a used vehicle. Removing guesswork and ensuring that the vehicle’s documented history aligns with its physical reality helps prevent buying trouble and reinforces trust in the market for second-hand cars. The advice stands as a practical reminder that a careful check of encumbrances, supported by official extracts, benefits both buyers and sellers by promoting transparent, fair, and verifiable transactions.