Italian paperwork changed recently, so it's no surprise people are unsure what they have. Here's what each Italian document is for, and exactly what we need from you to buy your car.
DU
Since the early 2020s Italy has been issuing a single Documento Unico (DU), which combines the registration (circolazione) and ownership (proprietà) details in one document. If your car was registered or changed hands recently, this is probably what you have. It shows the plate, the owner, the VIN (telaio) and the technical data.
Libretto
The libretto, or carta di circolazione, is the registration and technical document most older Italian cars still carry. It shows the plate, the VIN and the technical details, and older libretti have the revisione (roadworthiness test) stamps recorded in them. Please have the original ready.
CDP
The certificato di proprietà (CDP) records the owner on the PRA, Italy's public vehicle register. Older ones are paper; from 2015 they are usually digital, with a code you can share. Alongside the libretto, it shows that the car is yours to sell.
Revisione
The revisione is Italy's equivalent of the MOT, first due four years after registration and then every two years. If you have the latest result, send us a photo. An expired revisione doesn't stop us buying the car.
Radiazione
A car that leaves Italy permanently can be taken off the Italian register for export (radiazione per esportazione). Until then it remains on the PRA in the owner's name. A visura PRA (register check) also shows whether anything is recorded against the car, such as a fermo amministrativo. Tell us the situation and we'll explain what applies to your car.
UK side
To go on UK plates, a car brought in from Italy needs a NOVA notification to HMRC, an MOT and a DVLA registration application. When you sell to us, you don't need to do any of that: we buy the car on its Italian plates and handle the UK registration ourselves.
This page is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. Italian procedures change from time to time: we'll always tell you exactly what applies to your car.
Tell us the situation. The CDP may be digital, in which case the code is enough. If it is missing, we'll explain the options before you do anything.
It is the single Italian document that combines registration and ownership details, issued for newer registrations and transfers in place of the separate libretto and CDP.
It is an administrative hold, usually for unpaid charges in Italy, and it needs to be cleared before the car can be sold or exported. Tell us up front so we can talk it through.
No. We buy cars with or without a current revisione. If you have the latest result, it helps us price the car accurately.
Usually not. If it is registered in the UK, the V5C is what matters, and the Italian documents are a useful part of the history.