Buying a car
For choosing and buying a car from private sellers or companies in Cyprus, the most convenient option is the Bazaraki portal. You can use filters to select a car according to your criteria, including year of manufacture and price, which is very convenient. You can also contact one of the consignment dealerships that sell cars previously used in Cyprus as well as those imported from abroad.
Used car imports to Cyprus come mainly from two countries: the United Kingdom and Japan.
In Paphos, there are several shops specializing in the sale of used cars, both locally sourced and imported. When choosing a vehicle, be sure to check all the documents and the car’s condition before purchase.
In Paphos the dealer network is represented by the following brands of cars:
- Toyota
- Mercedes Benz
- BMW
- Nissan
- Honda
- Peugeot
- Renault
- Of course, when buying a new car, the customer gets a guarantee for the car, as well as the confidence that everything is in order with the car. When buying a used car, there is no such confidence, so it is imperative to take a professional auto mechanic or body shop specialist with you to inspect the car before buying, or even better - perform a full diagnostics of the car at any car service that offers such services.
Registration
The process of purchasing a car always ends at the stage of signing the documents on the purchase and sale of the car. To do this, the seller and the buyer fill out a special form T.O.M 9B, indicating personal data, address, telephone number, pink or yellow-slip number, as well as full information about the car and put their signatures.
Then, to register the car, you can contact either the Roads Department (usually for cars that have not been registered before) or the KEP - Citizen Service Center, located at: Eleftheriou Venizelou 62, Paphos, 8021. Important! Reception is by appointment by phone: _____________.
To re-register a vehicle, the buyer must provide:
- car documents (title)
- passport
- F visa, pink or yellow slip, i.e. a document confirming that the buyer is a resident of Cyprus
- pre-issued insurance policy for the future new owner
- valid technical inspection (MOT)
- confirmation of payment of road tax
After providing the specified documents, the car is registered to the new owner.
There is no need to change the license plates; the car will remain with its original state license plates.
Repair and maintenance
Car maintenance in countries with hot climates has its own peculiarities.
Firstly, the vehicle operating modes at ambient temperatures above +35-40°C are equivalent to "heavy" operating conditions. Based on this, the intervals between service maintenance are reduced to 6-10 thousand km, depending on the type of engine oil and the model's features.
Secondly, in such conditions, the service life of any mechanisms that cannot cool normally due to high ambient temperatures, and above all the brake system, is reduced. Also, in mountainous terrain, the brake system operates under strong thermal overloads, so people who have never driven a car in the mountains before need to follow simple recommendations regarding the so-called "step braking" in order to extend the "life" of your car's brake system and avoid problems.
Thirdly, there is a need for more careful control and a timely visit to the service for diagnostics and troubleshooting at the initial stage, without bringing the situation to the point where the car needs to be stopped on a sun-baked road. Let us remind you that when the engine is turned off, the air conditioner in the car will not work, and this can create a very serious problem for the driver and passengers, especially children.
All these aspects are given so that when choosing a car service for servicing your "steel horse", you approach this issue as carefully and meticulously as possible. It is important not to look at the brand and how this or that service station is promoted, but to have specific recommendations for specific mechanics, that these are really high-level specialists who know the local specifics and the operating features of the cars being serviced.
Technical inspection
Technical inspection in Cyprus is called by the abbreviation M.O.T and, according to the requirements of the traffic rules, must be passed every 2 years for regular cars and annually for special categories of vehicles: taxis, rental cars, etc.
To pass the next technical inspection, it is necessary to bring the car to the technical inspection station and provide the documents for the car. After that, the number units will be checked, the mileage of the car will be recorded and a photo of the car with the license plates will be taken. Next, the chassis, suspension, steering and brake system will be checked on the car on a special stand, and CO2 emissions in the exhaust gases will be measured and checked for compliance with toxicity standards. If faults are detected, this will be recorded, after which it will be necessary to eliminate the faults to re-pass the MOT. The cost of the technical inspection is 35 euros.
It should be remembered that the operation of a vehicle with an expired MOT is prohibited. Also, without it, it is impossible to pay the annual road tax (Road Tax).
Washing and dry cleaning
Car washes in Cyprus are usually located directly at petrol stations, but sometimes they are located separately. The cost of services in both cases is usually approximately the same and ranges from 6 to 10 euros - this is a comprehensive wash and vacuum cleaning inside the car.
Sometimes this price includes wet cleaning of the car interior with polishing of plastic elements of the interior decor of the car interior and the dashboard. Washing of the underhood space and the internal combustion engine is always a separate service and can be ordered additionally, just like polishing of headlights and the car body from the outside (partially or completely). Not all car washes offer dry cleaning of the interior, since this requires appropriate training of personnel and special equipment.
Dry cleaning is performed both on individual elements of the interior and comprehensively, but due to trips to the sea, dry cleaning is most often required only for the seats. The cost of comprehensive dry cleaning (seats/rugs/roof and door trim), depending on the degree of contamination, is about 100 euros for a small compact car and about 160 for minivans or business class cars.
The entire process takes a full working day, so dry cleaning is usually by appointment.
Insurance
Car insurance is divided into 2 types:
- liability insurance (analogous to MTPL)
- property insurance
The first type of insurance is the third party insurance - it is mandatory. Without this insurance you cannot drive a vehicle, and you cannot register the car.
You can conclude an insurance contract either through insurance agencies or directly with an insurance company. There are many insurance companies in Cyprus (AIG, Hydra, Minerva, AnyTime, Prime Pancyprian Insurance, etc.) where you can insure motor third party liability insurance at a single rate.
Here it is very important to provide some document proving your accident-free driving record, including outside of Cyprus (for example, a certificate of no-claims from your insurance company, translated into English), then the tariff will be within 150-200 euros, otherwise the tariff for foreigners may be significantly higher.
The second type of insurance is comprehensive insurance - this includes driver's civil liability insurance + vehicle property insurance. As a rule, this type of insurance is only 1.5-2 times more expensive than motor third-party liability insurance, but it covers damage to the vehicle, including accidents, as well as theft, fire, falling foreign objects, etc.
Due to the fact that this insurance is not an order of magnitude more expensive than liability insurance, and covers such a policy much more than possible losses, this type of insurance is most interesting and preferable for "fresh" cars. Naturally, the cost of this policy is determined by the car model and its market value at the time of concluding the insurance contract. In addition, as in the first case, you will need to provide the insurance company with a certificate of no-loss, otherwise the tariff will be exorbitant.
Fines
Traffic Fines in Cyprus
Traffic violations in Cyprus are taken seriously and fines are enforced strictly. Key points to know:
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Speeding – Fines start at €2 for every km/h over the limit and can rise sharply. Excessive speeding may lead to licence suspension or court action.
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Parking violations – Illegal parking (yellow lines, residents-only zones, blocking driveways) typically costs €85 and the car may be towed.
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Seat belts – Not wearing a seat belt: €150 per person.
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Mobile phone use – Using a phone without hands-free: €150.
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Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign – Around €100–€200 and possible points on your licence.
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Drink driving – Over 0.5‰ blood alcohol: from €150 upwards, with licence suspension or prosecution for higher levels.
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Driving without insurance or MOT – Minimum €200 and possible impoundment of the vehicle.
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Unpaid fines – Must be paid within the deadline stated on the ticket. Late payment increases the amount and can prevent vehicle registration renewal.
Payment
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Fines can usually be paid online through the JCCsmart portal, at Citizen Service Centres, or at the District Transport Office.
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Keep your receipt as proof of payment.
Peculiarities of traffic rules
Driving in Cyprus has a few local specifics that every driver should know:
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Left-hand traffic – Cars drive on the left side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right.
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Speed limits – 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on highways unless signs indicate otherwise.
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Seat belts – Mandatory for all passengers, front and rear.
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Mobile phones – Using a phone while driving is prohibited unless you have a hands-free system.
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Alcohol limit – Maximum blood alcohol content: 0.5‰.
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Children – Children under 150 cm or 36 kg must be in an appropriate child seat.
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Parking rules – Look for painted curbs:
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Yellow line = no stopping or parking.
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White = free parking (check signs for time limits).
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Pay attention to residents-only zones.
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Roundabouts – Give way to traffic already on the roundabout.
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Headlights – Dipped headlights are recommended even during the day in winter or bad weather.
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Documents – Always carry your driving licence, vehicle registration, and insurance certificate.
Fines for violations are strict and often issued electronically, so follow the rules carefully.
