You can check the status of vehicles you plan to buy using the license-plate based lien search screen. A vehicle under lien means it has been used as collateral for a bank loan or another debt. If the debt is not repaid, the creditor may seize the vehicle. The license-plate lien search screen provides details about any lien on a vehicle.
Rising car prices have boosted the used car market, but buyers often worry about the vehicle’s legal and financial status. To address these concerns, potential buyers can perform various checks through e-Government (e-Devlet) or via SMS.
One important check is to learn whether a vehicle is subject to a lien. That way you avoid purchasing a car that serves as collateral for someone else’s debt. A vehicle bought without knowing it is liened can be unexpectedly seized. To prevent such problems, you should always perform a lien inquiry before buying.
Placing a lien on a vehicle is a routine practice for many banks. Lenders that issue vehicle loans without requiring a guarantor often register a lien as collateral. The intent is to reduce the risk if the borrower fails to repay the loan.
HOW TO CHECK A VEHICLE FOR A LIEN BY LICENSE PLATE?
You can access the license-plate lien search screen by SMS. First, open the messaging app on your phone. In the message body type DETAY in uppercase letters followed immediately by the vehicle’s license plate (no spaces between letters and numbers).
After composing the message, send it to 5664. The cost of the SMS will be charged to your phone bill (approximately 7 TL). To use e-Government, first click the “Log in” option at the top right of the e-Devlet site. The address to visit is turkiye.gov.tr.
Enter your identification number and password, then click “Log in.” In the search box type “Haciz” (seizure). Note that e-Government allows you to query seizures; lien-specific queries are done via SMS.
You can also apply to traffic branch offices for lien inquiries. Lien inquiries are generally conducted by the registered vehicle owner, so if you plan to buy a car, you should go to the police or traffic office with the current owner; otherwise you may not be able to access the necessary information.
Corporate (Legal Entity) Lien Inquiry
Corporate lien inquiries can be made through e-Government. Log in to e-Government with your ID number and password, then search for “Registered Vehicle Inquiry in My Name (Legal Entity).” The result will indicate whether there is any restriction or encumbrance on a vehicle registered in the company’s name.
If a vehicle is registered in your name, it will appear on that screen and any legal restrictions will be displayed. Corporate lien checks can also be performed in person at the police or traffic department; a company representative and the prospective buyer can go together to verify the lien status.
Vehicle Restraint Inquiry by SMS
To perform an SMS vehicle restraint inquiry, send a message to 5664. Type DETAY followed by a space and then the license plate without internal spaces. Ensure the plate is entered correctly and without extra spaces.
SMS inquiries are practical and fast, making them a convenient option for prospective buyers. All you need is the vehicle’s license plate; no additional information is required, which makes the process quick and easy.
How Is a Lien Removed from a Vehicle?
There are different methods to remove a lien from a vehicle. Under normal conditions a vehicle with an active lien cannot be sold; the lien must be cleared before a sale can proceed.
The buyer and seller can agree on removing the lien: the buyer may pay off the seller’s debt so the lien is lifted, and that amount is deducted from the sale price. Alternatively, the seller can pay and close the debt before the sale.
If the debt is not paid, the vehicle may be sold through enforcement proceedings. Failure to remove the lien can create serious problems for the debtor, including blacklisting by banks and difficulty obtaining future loans.
To avoid dealing with lien removal, borrowers should make loan payments on time. If debts are paid and closed, no lien will be registered. To prevent disputes with buyers, complete all lien removal procedures before completing the sale.
How Much Is the Lien Removal Fee?
The fee for removing a lien varies by bank. Each bank sets its own charge for processing lien removal. The procedure itself is usually completed quickly, but the vehicle owner must approve the transaction.
Using the old procedure can lengthen the process: under the previous system, after the debt was cleared you had to visit a notary with a bank official and then go to the Traffic Registration Office. Which procedure applies depends on the original loan arrangement. Loans issued under the old system require the old procedure for lien removal; loans under the new system can be cleared more quickly using the updated process. Banks will not remove a lien until the loan is fully repaid, so closing the debt is essential.
Removing a Vehicle Restraint at a Branch
You can remove a vehicle restraint by visiting the police/traffic office or the bank branch. Those planning to buy a vehicle should ensure the restraint is lifted before completing the purchase.
To remove a loan-related restraint at a branch, go to the bank where you took the loan and bring the vehicle registration document. With the document provided by the bank, you can go to the traffic authority to finalize the lien removal.
After completing branch procedures to remove the restraint, there will be no obstacles to selling the vehicle. Once lien removal and other checks are finished, you can proceed with the notary sale process.
If you also remove any seizure (haciz), the sale will proceed smoothly. After completing necessary steps such as the license-plate lien search, selling the vehicle becomes a straightforward process for both buyer and seller.