How to Check Traffic Violations and Fines Before Buying a Car

Last month, a buddy in Bogotá was one day away from paying seven million for a used sedan that looked impeccable. Before closing the deal, I told him we should check the license plate on SIMIT right there from his phone, standing in the parking lot. A list of unpaid traffic fines associated with the vehicle appeared. The car was fine; the paperwork wasn't. And that, in Colombia, can ruin the whole deal.

Checking traffic tickets, fines, and the status of the paperwork before buying a used car isn't paranoia: it's the difference between starting fresh with peace of mind and inheriting someone else's debt. The good thing is that almost everything can be checked for free and in minutes, without moving from where you are. Here I show you, step by step, how to do it with official sources, what each thing means, and what to do if something pending appears. If you're just starting out, complement this with our guide to buying a used car or motorcycle.

Quick answer:

• Check the license plate (and the seller's ID number) on SIMIT to see traffic tickets and fines.
• Check the RUNT with the license plate and, if requested, the owner's document.
• Confirm valid SOAT, technical-mechanical inspection, taxes up to date, and that the seller is the registered owner.
• If an outstanding obligation appears, ask the seller to resolve it before paying the balance of the deal.

Traffic citation and fine: why they are not the same

In practice, the traffic ticket is the summons —the order to appear— for an alleged traffic violation; the fine is the financial penalty that becomes final when that infraction is confirmed. This difference is supported within the framework of the National Traffic Code (Law 769 of 2002) and is usually explained this way by the mobility authorities themselves.

Why does it matter to you as a buyer? Because a traffic citation that the seller is contesting is not the same as a finalized fine accruing interest. Knowing the status of each one tells you how much that debt really weighs and who should resolve it before closing.

Step 1: check the SIMIT by license plate and by ID number

SIMIT (Integrated Information System for Fines and Penalties for Traffic Violations), administered by the Federación Colombiana de Municipios, is usually the first point to check the status of traffic tickets and fines. Go to fcm.org.co/simit, check by the vehicle's license plate and, additionally, by the seller's ID number: this way you know if the person has outstanding obligations of their own, not just the car.

An honest detail: don't assume that SIMIT is updated in real time. A recent payment may take time to be reflected, and a traffic ticket that was just issued as well. That's why it's a good idea to cross-reference it with what the seller shows you and with RUNT.

Step 2: check the RUNT with the license plate and the owner's details

The RUNT (Registro Único Nacional de Tránsito) gathers vehicle information and its associated records. The citizen inquiry is performed on the official RUNT portal and, depending on the case, it may ask for the license plate along with the current owner's details. For this reason, it is advisable to ask the seller for their ID number in advance; if they refuse without reason, it is already a red flag.

Be clear about one thing: the RUNT alone doesn't show you all the debts or all the legal issues of a car. It's a piece of the puzzle, not the complete X-ray. Use it along with the SIMIT and the review of physical documents.

Step 3: SOAT, technical-mechanical inspection, taxes, and that the seller is the owner

Checking traffic fines is only one part. For automotive procedures, it is normally required to be registered in the RUNT and to be up to date with fines; depending on the procedure and the local authority, the SOAT, the technical-mechanical inspection, and taxes are also verified. This is documented, for example, by the Ventanilla Única de Servicios de movilidad in Bogotá (do not generalize this process to the rest of the country: each local authority manages its own).

Before you hand over any cash, check this minimum list:

• Valid SOAT and registered to the correct vehicle.
• Up-to-date technical-mechanical inspection (when applicable according to the car's age).
• Vehicle tax with no outstanding balances.
• Ensure the seller's name matches that of the registered owner.
• Engine and chassis numbers that match the vehicle registration card.
• Liens or pledges: if the car is backing a loan, that changes the deal.

Step 4: what to do if a debt or a traffic ticket under dispute appears

If something pending appears in SIMIT or RUNT, don't let it slide thinking that “it will be fixed later.” The prudent thing to do is to ask the seller to resolve it before signing or paying the balance of the deal, because a pending obligation can delay or prevent procedures before the corresponding transit authority. Don't settle for a “don't worry, I already paid that”: ask for the supporting document and verify.

If the traffic ticket is under discussion (contested), understand who assumes the risk if the decision goes against you. And a current note: in May 2026, the Ministry of Transport announced a review of millions of traffic camera fines, which raised doubts about their validity. Do not assume that those traffic camera fines were automatically annulled; check them case by case and do not ignore the cameras. When the debt is clear, the next step is the transfer, which has its own process.

If you are going to sell: publish with the paperwork in order

Let's switch sides of the business for a moment. If you're the one selling, keep one thing in mind: a serious buyer is going to check your license plate. Get ahead of them. Show up with clean SIMIT and RUNT records, valid SOAT and técnico-mecánica, taxes up to date, and total clarity on the transfer status. A seller who provides that information upfront builds trust and closes faster. If you want the details on how to do it without intermediaries, check out our guide to selling your used car without an intermediary.

And a specific fact that works in your favor: according to the active listings on Colombia Move (June 2026), the car category is practically empty today —with no active listings—, so a well-made ad, with clear paperwork and honest photos, has very little competition to appear first in front of buyers who are indeed looking.

Final checklist before reserving or paying

• I checked the license plate on SIMIT and also the seller's ID.
• I checked the RUNT with the license plate (and the owner's document if they asked for it).
• I confirmed SOAT, technical-mechanical inspection, and taxes.
• The seller matches the registered owner.
• The pending items were resolved and supported before paying the balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much does it cost to check traffic tickets and fines?

It is free. Checking traffic tickets and fines on SIMIT and reviewing the RUNT are done at no cost from their official portals (consulted in June 2026). Be wary of anyone who charges you for 'the complete report': you can do the basics yourself in minutes.

❓ Can I check traffic tickets with just the license plate?

Yes. SIMIT allows you to search by vehicle license plate and shows associated traffic tickets and fines (June 2026). For a serious deal, it is also advisable to check the seller's ID (cédula) and the RUNT, because the license plate alone does not always tell the whole story.

❓ What is the difference between a traffic ticket (comparendo) and a fine (multa)?

A traffic ticket (comparendo) is a summons for an alleged violation; a fine (multa) is the financial penalty that becomes final once confirmed. It is a distinction from the National Traffic Code (Law 769 of 2002) and defines who settles the debt and when.

❓ Can a car with fines be sold?

It can be negotiated, but a pending obligation can delay or prevent procedures before the traffic authority. The prudent thing is for the seller to resolve it before you pay the balance; verify it in an official source like SIMIT before signing.

❓ Does checking SIMIT and RUNT protect me from a scam?

It helps a lot, but it does not guarantee it. Checking traffic tickets, paperwork, and that the seller is the owner reduces the risk of a scam, but does not eliminate it (June 2026). Combine it with seeing the car in person, cross-checking the engine and chassis, and being wary of the seller's rush.

❓ What do I do if SIMIT shows a fine that the seller says they already paid?

Ask for the proof of payment and keep in mind that SIMIT is not always updated in real time (consulted in June 2026). Before signing, wait for the system to reflect the payment or confirm it with the corresponding traffic authority.

❓ Do RUNT and SIMIT show the same information?

Not exactly. SIMIT focuses on traffic tickets and fines, while RUNT gathers information about the vehicle and its records (consulted in June 2026). That is why it is advisable to consult both: each provides a different piece of the puzzle before buying.