Fraud cases in Azerbaijan’s used-car market are rising again – from forged documents to manipulated mileage and sellers hiding serious mechanical issues.
But the newest trend is unexpected: deals being challenged in court by the seller’s spouse.
Legal expert Akram Hasanov, speaking to Patrul.az, says buyers often overlook the most crucial detail: spousal consent.
According to Hasanov, two checks are essential before completing a transaction:
First, ensure the car is officially registered in the seller’s name.
Second, verify that the seller’s spouse has provided written approval for the sale.
“Without that consent, the spouse can later claim the vehicle is joint marital property and take the matter to court,” Hasanov warns.
He also calls deals made via power of attorney dangerous and legally fragile:
“A power of attorney is not a purchase. It can be revoked at any time and becomes void if the issuer dies. And if the seller has outstanding debts, the car can be seized – because it’s still legally registered to them.”
Experts stress that “proxy sales” remain one of the most common traps that leave buyers with neither money nor vehicle.
