Buying a car in Bulgaria: private owner vs dealer?

Member since 23 February 2024

sfriggieri75Member26 December 2025 17:52:02

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to buy a car in Bulgaria and would like to understand the difference (financially and procedurally) between buying:

1. from a private owner (car already has plates), and

2. from a dealer (no plates).

Cost of vehicle is around 10K lev.

In short: who pays what, what are the main steps, and are there extra costs with dealers?

Also, does it matter if I’m from another EU country?

Thanks!

See also

Discover Bulgaria - Guide
Buying a car in Bulgaria - 5 Replies
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Zooldrool Active member

Member since 24 April 2020

ZooldroolActive member27 December 2025 00:38:09

I am also interested, also see a lot of "direct imports" for sale. What does these mean for registering etc.

JimJ ViP

Member since 07 December 2015

JimJViP27 December 2025 02:13:59

1464

There are agencies who handle the formalities of registration - or sometimes the seller will handle it for you, for a fee. Bear in mind that, as usual, you've got no recourse if the motor turns out to be a dud.

It's worth looking at dealer-maintained ex-lease vehicles, they'll have a reasonably kosher logbook. If you're after a high-end motor you'll have a good choice but you're likely to get the "foreigner price" and they're intrinsically expensive anyway; the upside is that the Bulgarians who can buy those kinds of vehicles aren't people you'd choose to mess with, so they're likely to be as described...😎

Horses for courses etc, but I prefer to buy a cheaper vehicle new from a main dealer; I've been happy with my now 11-years-old Duster, but avoid new Suzukis here...the main dealership is cr*p!