: New car prices are typically 25% higher than in the US due to import taxes.
: You must confirm the vehicle has no outstanding municipal taxes or traffic tickets.
: Many expats hire a car broker for $300–$500 to handle mechanical inspections, title checks, and the headache of paperwork. 3. The Paperwork: A Day at the "Municipio" buying a car in panama
: Third-party liability insurance is mandatory and must be in place before the title can be officially transferred to your name.
Once you find a potential match, the "story" moves to verification. In Panama, debts and fines stay with the , not the owner. : New car prices are typically 25% higher
: You’ll need the original Registro Único Vehicular (title), the current Revisado (inspection certificate), and copies of both the buyer's and seller's IDs.
: Both parties typically visit the Municipio (City Hall) to sign the transfer forms. If the car is in Panama City, this registration is now done digitally. In Panama, debts and fines stay with the , not the owner
The actual transfer of ownership (the traspaso ) is a multi-stop relay race: