Buying a used car in Costa Rica: checks and costs

Price the car for the life you will lead

Decide which journeys the car must handle: daily errands, a steep driveway, school runs or occasional long trips. Then compare the purchase with renting during your first weeks. Buying before you understand the roads, parking and service options can leave you with an expensive mismatch.

Build a purchase ceiling that includes the transfer, insurance and an immediate maintenance reserve. Ask a local mechanic about parts availability for the exact model and engine. The cheapest advertised vehicle may require more time and money than a better-maintained alternative.

Keep this budget separate from the housing figures in our cost-of-living guide. A car is a recurring expense as well as an initial purchase.

Verify the seller and the registered vehicle

The National Registry’s transfer checklist calls for a public deed, notarial documentation, current circulation rights and payment of transfer taxes and registration charges. Have an independent Costa Rican notary explain the current process before money changes hands.

Ask the notary to check registered ownership, the seller’s authority, liens, annotations, tax status and any impediment to transfer. Match the registration details and identifying numbers to the vehicle itself. If it is held by a company or being sold under a power of attorney, the authority to sign needs its own review.

The checklist treats tax-exempt vehicles separately. Do not assume a seller’s exemption will transfer to you without additional approval or payment.

Separate official inspection from purchase condition

DEKRA’s official guidance describes technical inspection under the COSEVI manual, with different procedures for a complete inspection and reinspection. Ask for the current inspection record, any recorded defects and the next due date for that vehicle.

Arrange a separate pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic you choose. Ask for an assessment of brakes, tires, steering, cooling, corrosion, leaks, electrical systems and signs of previous damage. Request an estimate for work needed immediately and work likely soon.

A valid inspection records the result of a regulatory check. It is not a warranty covering the condition you are buying today. Likewise, a seller’s statement that a car “just needs one small repair” is a reason to price the repair independently.

Ask for an itemized transfer calculation

The Registry’s published vehicle-fee schedule lists a 2.5% transfer tax on the applicable taxable base, alongside separate registry charges and stamps. The base and additional costs matter, so 2.5% should not be presented as the entire cost of transferring ownership.

Have the notary give you a current written calculation for the actual transaction, identifying the tax base, government charges, professional fees and any tax on those fees. Agree who pays each amount.

Before a deposit, put any conditions in writing, including the title and mechanical checks and what happens if the car cannot be transferred as promised. Ask the notary how payment, signing, possession and registration will be coordinated.

Check marchamo and insurance separately

Costa Rica’s insurance regulator, SUGESE, explains that marchamo includes multiple charges and the mandatory accident insurance, SOA. SOA addresses injury and death benefits; it should not be treated as comprehensive protection for damage to vehicles or other property.

Obtain a quote for the additional cover you need before driving away. Check the named drivers, permitted use, deductibles, liability limits, theft protection and how to report a loss. Confirm the effective date rather than relying on the seller’s policy.

Finally, confirm your own legal permission to drive using the driving-license guide. Owning an insured car and holding a valid driving entitlement are separate requirements.

Sources & notes

Sources consulted September 13, 2026. Specific rules and fees can change; use the linked authority’s current instructions for an application or financial decision.