Check all documents - The most important part!

 

Make sure you review all the documents that the seller provides!

 

Matricula / Registration Card

First up, you’ll want to check the VIN numbers on the frame and registration and make sure that everything matches. You should also ensure that the details of the seller match the details on the bike’s registration card. Sometimes (actually, lots of times) people will try to sell a motorcycle that isn't registered to them – it’s not always sinister, mind you, most of the time it’s because a guy is selling a family members bike or just helping out a friend. Don't hand over any cash until you’ve located the person whose name appears on the registration – make sure you meet the owner so you know it’s a legit sale. 

 

SOAT Insurance

Third-party liability vehicle insurance is mandatory in Colombia and is called the Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito, or SOAT.  This insurance is primarily intended for victims of traffic accidents - drivers, passengers, and/or pedestrians. SOAT will cover expenses such as emergency medical attention, hospitalization, surgeries, and rehabilitation.

All clinics and hospitals, regardless of whether they are public or private, are obliged to provide medical care through the SOAT.

 

SOAT is only valid in Colombia, and you are required to have this document on you at all times when riding. 

 

This third-party liability vehicle insurance is mandatory. When buying a bike here, the most important thing to do is ensure the SOAT is valid. You can check it yourself, right here: https://www.runt.com.co/consultaCiudadana/#/consultaVehiculo

 

SOAT prices are fixed by the Colombian government. The prices are listed on the internet and are also displayed in offices that sell the SOAT policies. 

 

Current SOAT Prices

You can find the current prices for SOAT by entering the license plate of the motorcycle here: https://www.suraenlinea.com/v2/sura/soat/tarifas

 

SOAT insurance is transferred with the bike which means you can save yourself some expense if you happen to find a motorcycle with a lot of time left before it expires.

 

Taxes / Impuestos

 

There are two main taxes that you need to check:

 

Annual Taxes  - All motor vehicles in Colombia are required to pay annual taxes with the tax rate varying depending on the state (departamento). The current tax rate for motorcycles in Medellín, located in the state of Antioquia, is 1.50% the value of the vehicle. Motorcycles below 125cc do not have to pay this tax. 

 

Traffic light tax - Called “Semaforización”, is a municipal tax that goes to fund well… traffic lights. This tax is used for the maintenance and programming of the traffic light system. In some cases, these resources are used to support and sustain the municipal transit secretariats. What does this mean for you? Just another tax that you need to make sure the seller has been paid or else it's on you. Traffic light tax costs around $58,500 Colombian Pesos which is around $15USD

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Make sure that all taxes have been paid. Some motorcycles haven’t paid their taxes for years and if you don’t make sure that the seller is up to date with the taxes, the registration of the bike will not be able to be transferred. 

You can find out how much taxes are by following this link: https://vehiculosantioquia.com/impuestosWeb/

 

Tecnomecánica

Técnico Mecánica or Mechanical Technical Review, is a mandatory procedure, which allows the authorities to know that the bike has been seen by a mechanic and is fully functioning to drive on the road. The SOAT and Tecnomecánica must both be valid at the time of purchase and at any time a bike is taken on the road.

 

On brand new motorcycles, the first Técnico Mecánica inspection needs to be done after two years and then it needs to be checked on an annual basis. Also, be aware that some red light and speeding cameras are also set up to see if your Técnico Mecánica inspection is up to date! If it's expired, you can count on getting a fine in the mail.

 

TecnoMecánica prices are fixed and are listed on the internet: http://www.ivesurcolombia.com/?page_id=396

 

Traffic fines 

Just because you see all the documents are in order, it doesn't mean the bike is totally good to go. Unpaid traffic fines can really mess things up and lots of people have lots of unpaid traffic fines. If you don't check on this before you buy your motorcycle, these fines will be transferred to you and it will now be your responsibility to pay them. You can check for unpaid traffic fines and tickets here: https://consulta.simit.org.co/Simit/

 

Improntas

Rubbings or imprints of the bike's serial numbers, called “improntas”, are needed for the transfer paperwork. Don't worry, this is easy to do.

 

You will need two things:

1. Carbon paper, blue or black

2. Transparent Scotch tape

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How to take imprints:

1. Locate serial numbers located on the engine of the bike.

2. Perform this operation with the bike off and with the engine cold to avoid burning yourself and melting the tape

3. Use a degreaser to clean the area you need to imprint

4. Place the carbon paper over the number and press down firmly so all the numbers are inked

5. Take the tape and carefully place it on the number

6. Rub the tape with your fingers while applying pressure to get the carbon to transfer to the tape

7. Remove the tape, check that the number is completely traced and is legible