How to Make Money Selling a Used Car or Motorcycle in Korea

The diagram below is a self-made illustration, not a real screen.

How to gauge a price, check the vehicle’s history and transfer ownership properly, using official sources such as the transport ministry’s 자동차365 (Car365).

Who this suits

• People who want a reference price for their car
• People selling directly to another individual
• People selling or handing over a motorcycle

Step 1. Check reference prices on 자동차365

• Used-car prices: based on last month’s deals, passenger cars only; may differ by source and are for reference only.
• Average transaction price: averages for the same model, type and year, split into “selling (individual → dealer)” and “buying (dealer → individual).”
• Accidents, condition, mileage, options, colour and fuel are not reflected.
• The current notice says data covers March 2024–February 2025, so it may differ from today’s market.
• Your own vehicle’s data is shown after login.

Step 2. Check the vehicle’s history

• 자동차365 integrated history: inspections, maintenance, condition checks, mandatory insurance, seizures/liens. Data from September 2013 onward. Your own car is viewed after login.
• 카히스토리 (CarHistory, Korea Insurance Development Institute): by plate or VIN — insurance accidents since 1996, total loss/theft/flood, special use such as rental, number/owner changes.
• It’s paid: ₩2,200 per lookup, or ₩770 for members (up to 5 per year), VAT included.

• Accidents repaired privately or without an insurance payout won’t appear; KIDI calls it supplementary information.

• If a dealer did a condition inspection, the Korea Automobile Inspection & Warranty Association shows reports issued within 1 year by report number and plate.

Step 3. Car ownership transfer

• The buyer must register the transfer within 15 days (Motor Vehicle Management Act, Art. 12).
• If the buyer doesn’t, the seller (registered owner) can also apply.
• Direct-sale documents: transfer application, vehicle transfer certificate, the seller’s seal certificate or signature confirmation, etc.
• Online filing on 자동차365 is for private sales only, and mandatory insurance must be confirmed first. Cars with seizures/liens, joint ownership, gifts or inheritance require a visit.
• Fees: stamp ₩1,000 (₩1,500 in another province), stamp duty ₩3,000; acquisition tax and bonds are separate.
• Late filing is fined: ₩100,000 within 10 days, then ₩10,000 per day, up to ₩500,000.
• The government law guide notes an amendment taking effect 3 December 2026, so recheck the latest guidance right before filing.

Step 4. Motorcycles: change report

• Motorcycles are reported to the city/county/district (or eup/myeon/dong) office, not registered.
• Sale: within 15 days; gift: 20 days; inheritance: deadlines vary between official guides, so check with your local city/county office (sale/gift deadlines per the official form).
• Documents (Seongbuk-gu example): change report form, usage report certificate, transfer certificate with seller’s seal, seller ID copy, liability insurance certificate.
• Late reports are fined; check your district office for amounts.
• A lost usage report certificate can be reissued per Gov24 (no fee).

Common mistakes

• Treating the average price as your car’s price
• Assuming no CarHistory record means no accidents
• Taking payment without confirming the transfer (the seller can file too)
• Missing the motorcycle reporting deadline

Checklist

• ☐ Reference prices on 자동차365
• ☐ Integrated history and CarHistory checked
• ☐ Transfer certificate and seal documents ready
• ☐ Transfer (or motorcycle report) done within 15 days
• ☐ Latest guidance rechecked before filing

Selling an old phone too? See our old phone buyback guide.

We also have a $4.99 PDF guide that collects more everyday money-saving tips. Take a look if it’s useful →