Buying a Used Car in Istanbul: Insurance Checklist for Traffic, Kasko and Claims History

When buying a second-hand car, most people focus on the engine, the bodywork and the mileage. Yet the car’s insurance history says at least as much as its mechanical condition. Past damage can affect the car’s value and the kasko (comprehensive motor insurance) quote you will receive. Setting up insurance correctly after the purchase makes sure you are protected from the first day. For expats buying their first car in Turkey, the process can feel unfamiliar, so here is a step-by-step checklist.

Before you buy: check the claims history

Damage records reported to insurers can be checked through the records of the Insurance Information and Monitoring Centre (SBM). This check shows whether the car has received claim payments under a traffic or kasko policy, and gives a general idea of the nature of the damage. Comparing the seller’s “never had an accident” claim with these records also strengthens your hand in negotiation.

Remember that the check only shows events reported to insurance. Repairs paid out of pocket do not appear. Always combine the record check with an independent expert inspection (ekspertiz).

Pre-purchase checklist

• Claims record: is there recorded damage, and which parts were affected?
• Expert report: do painted and replaced parts match the claims record?
• Registration and chassis: do the details on the ruhsat (vehicle registration) match the car exactly?
• Existing policies: does the seller’s car have valid traffic insurance and kasko, and when do they end?
• Previous use: was the car used commercially? This matters in the kasko assessment.
• Accessories: equipment added later may need to be declared separately on kasko.

A damage record is not a bad sign on its own. What matters is the nature of the damage, how it was repaired and the car’s condition today. A minor, well-repaired incident may not affect use at all; a serious one calls for a closer look.

Does the seller’s insurance pass to you?

No. The seller’s traffic insurance does not automatically continue in the new owner’s name. After the sale, the old policy is the seller’s matter, and you need a new policy in your own name. Our English guide on what happens to insurance when a car is sold explains this in detail. Kasko works the same way: the seller’s policy is in their name and does not protect you. The safest approach is to have your own policies ready before you take the car.

Sale day: not a single uninsured minute

Once the sale is completed at the notary, the car is your responsibility. From the first minute you drive away, you need traffic insurance. We recommend this order:

1. Ask your adviser to prepare traffic and kasko quotes before the sale day. Foreign residents should have their Yabancı Kimlik No (foreign ID number) ready, as it is used for the policy.
2. Issue traffic insurance in your name as soon as the sale is complete.
3. If you want kasko, plan the start date around handover; the insurer may ask for photos or an inspection of the car.
4. Keep the policy documents in the car and on your phone.

How damage history affects your kasko

In a kasko quote, the car’s current condition matters as much as make, model and age. For cars with serious past damage, insurers may request an extra inspection or apply special terms for some parts. That does not mean you should not buy the car — just that you should set realistic expectations. Getting a kasko quote before buying shows you the true total cost. Declare the car’s condition fully: incomplete or incorrect information can cause problems at claim time. See our comprehensive car insurance (kasko) in Maslak page for how our quote process works.

In the first days after handover, check that the policies are in your name with the correct vehicle details, report any plate change and declare accessories you add later, such as a multimedia system, wheels or a tow bar. Ask how your own no-claims history from a previous car may carry over; this depends on current rules and policy type. Keep service records in one folder — they help both when selling and during a claim.

Common mistakes include assuming the seller’s insurance continues, relying on a screenshot of the claims check shown by the seller, postponing kasko and not asking about commercial use. If you are buying with a loan, ask in advance whether the lender requires kasko.

To have traffic and kasko quotes ready before sale day, call us on +90 530 375 89 61 or send a message on WhatsApp — our team offers English support. You can also visit our office in Maslak Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi.