Selling a motorcycle at a notary in 2026: fees, documents and steps

The safest way to buy and sell a used motorcycle is through a notary. In Turkey a motorcycle sale, like a car sale, is done at a notary (or at authorised sales points) and the registration is completed in the same place. From 1 January 2026 the fixed-fee period for the transfer fee ended and the amount became tied to the sale price. In this guide we explain how a motorcycle sale at a notary is done in 2026, how much it costs and which documents are needed.

Notary sale costs in 2026

Some of the figures rest on a single secondary source; the official breakdown the notary gives you on the day of the transaction is what counts. The examples below are rough calculations made with these rates.

Example calculations

To this are added the 1,511 TL registration document and letter fee and, if the plate will change, the plate cost. The 0.2% fee does not exceed the 1,000 TL minimum on sales under 500,000 TL; that is why the transfer fee comes to 1,000 TL on most 125 and 250 cc bike sales. Because of the lower limit on the notary charge, this item can come out higher than the table figure on small sales.

Required documents

• Seller: ID and the vehicle registration document. If the seller is not the registered owner, a notarised power of attorney.
• Buyer: a valid identity document.
• Vehicle: valid compulsory traffic insurance. A sale cannot be carried out for a vehicle without insurance.
• Sale on behalf of a company: additional documents such as a tax certificate and signature circular may be requested; ask the notary beforehand.

During the transaction the notary checks the vehicle for seizure, pledge and tax debt records. A bike with MTV debt cannot be transferred; clear the debt before the sale. The 2026 MTV amounts are in the MTV table.

Sale by power of attorney

If the registered owner cannot come to the transaction, the sale can be made with a power of attorney obtained from a notary that includes authority to sell a vehicle. If you are the buyer, see the original power of attorney, check the notary that issued it and its date, and make sure the authority clearly covers "sale and transfer". In sales by power of attorney, paying directly into the registered owner's bank account where possible is the safest way against a later "I didn't receive the money" objection.

Step-by-step sale process

1. Preliminary check: if you are the buyer, look up damage, pledge and seizure records through e-Devlet and TRAMER. Compare the chassis and engine numbers on the registration document with those on the bike. The checklist is in the used bike guide.
2. Appraisal and test ride: especially on an expensive bike, have an authorised service centre or a motorcycle appraiser inspect it. We explain how to read the mileage and service records in the guide to mileage and service history.
3. Notary appointment: the transaction can sometimes be done on the same day, but booking an appointment in busy periods saves time.
4. Payment: instead of carrying cash, ask about bank transfer or the secure payment options the notary offers. Do not sign without seeing the money in your account; if you are the buyer, do not pay before signing.
5. Sale contract and registration: the notary draws up the sale contract and the registration is completed at the notary. The new registration document is issued in the buyer's name.
6. Plate: if the plate is to change, a new plate is produced. Make sure the plate is standard; the fine for a non-compliant plate is 4,000 TL.
7. Insurance: the buyer should take out new traffic insurance in their own name. The seller can cancel the old policy and ask for a premium refund for the remaining period. If there is kasko, update that too.

What to do after the sale

If you are the seller:

• Have your traffic insurance and, if any, kasko policy cancelled; ask your insurer about the refund calculation.
• If you have an HGS tag or account linked to the bike, close it or transfer it to another vehicle; otherwise the buyer's toll passages may be charged to you.
• If the bike has a tracker, an alarm or an app-linked lock, delete or hand over your account.
• Keep a copy of the sale contract. This document will help you when objecting to fines that arrive after the date of sale.

If you are the buyer:

• Take out your new traffic insurance on the day of the sale, before taking delivery of the bike; do not ride uninsured.
• Check the next inspection date on the registration document and add it to your calendar; details are in the inspection guide.
• If the service history is unclear, first have the oil, filter, chain and brakes checked.
• If the bike will be left on the street, consider a solid lock and, if needed, a GPS tracker.

Who pays the costs?

There is no binding allocation in the law of who pays; the parties agree. In practice the buyer generally takes on the fee and registration costs, but talking about this clearly during the negotiation prevents arguments later. If you are the seller, remember that MTV and traffic fine debts are yours; check them on e-Devlet before the sale. For fine amounts, see the traffic fines guide.

Beware of fraud

• Do not make hand-to-hand "we'll transfer the registration later" deals. In sales outside the notary, the bike legally remains in the seller's name; fines, taxes and accident liability fall on them. For the buyer too, there is a risk of the bike being seized or the owner demanding it back.
• Be wary of ads asking for a deposit. Do not pay without seeing the bike and verifying the registration details.
• Match the registration and ID details. The name on the seller's ID must be the same as the name on the registration document; if not, ask for a power of attorney.
• Chassis number: stay away from a chassis number that has been scratched off, painted over or shows signs of welding.

When buying a new bike

When you buy a new bike from a dealer, registration is generally done through the dealer, and the costs are requested separately, outside the invoice. Ask whether the plate and registration cost are included in the "on-the-road" price. You can see new bike prices in the bike finder and the annual cost of ownership in the cost calculator.

Conclusion

In a motorcycle sale at a notary in 2026, the transfer fee is 0.2% of the sale price (minimum 1,000 TL), to which are added the notary charge, the 1,511 TL registration document fee and, if needed, the plate cost. A sale cannot be made without valid traffic insurance or with unpaid MTV. Pay in a safe way, match the documents and never get into a hand-to-hand sale. Calling the notary the day before the transaction to ask for the current fee breakdown and the documents required is the easiest way to get through sale day without surprises.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a motorcycle sale at a notary cost in 2026?

The transfer fee is 0.2% of the sale price, minimum 1,000 TL. To this are added a notary charge of about 30 per cent of the fee and the 1,511 TL registration document fee. On a 300,000 TL sale these items add up to about 2,800 TL in a rough calculation; because of the lower limit on the notary charge it may come out a little higher.

Can a bike be sold without traffic insurance?

No. For a sale at a notary the vehicle must have valid compulsory traffic insurance.

Does the plate change after the sale?

Whether the plate changes is decided during the transaction; if it does, a new plate is produced and a separate fee is paid.

What happens to the old insurance after the sale?

The seller can cancel the policy and ask for a premium refund for the remaining period. The buyer should take out a new policy in their own name.