How to Check Traffic Tickets and Fines Before Buying a Car

Last month, a friend in Bogotá was one day away from paying seven million for a used sedan that looked impeccable. Before closing the deal, I told him to check the license plate on SIMIT right there from his phone, while standing in the parking lot. A list of unpaid traffic tickets associated with the vehicle appeared. The car was fine; the paperwork, not so much. And that, in Colombia, can ruin the entire deal.

Checking traffic tickets, fines, and the status of paperwork before buying a used car isn't paranoia: it's the difference between driving away worry-free and inheriting someone else's debt. The good news 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 using official sources, what each thing means, and what to do if something pending appears. If you are 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) 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 are up to date, and that the seller is the registered owner.
• If a pending obligation appears, ask the seller to resolve it before paying the balance of the deal.

Traffic ticket (comparendo) and fine (multa): why they aren't the same

In practice, the comparendo is the citation—the order to appear—for an alleged traffic violation; the multa is the financial penalty that becomes final when that violation is confirmed. That difference is backed by 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 ticket that the seller is contesting is not the same as a final fine accumulating interest. Knowing the status of each item tells you how much that debt really weighs and who should resolve it before closing.

Step 1: Check SIMIT by license plate and ID

The SIMIT (Integrated Information System on Fines and Sanctions for Traffic Violations), managed by the Colombian Federation of Municipalities, is usually the first point to check the account status of tickets and fines. Go to fcm.org.co/simit, check by the vehicle's license plate and, additionally, by the seller's ID: this way you know if the person has obligations of their own, not just the car.

An honest detail: don't assume SIMIT is updated in real-time. A recent payment may take time to reflect, and a newly issued ticket as well. That's why it's convenient to cross-reference it with what the seller shows you and with the RUNT.

Step 2: Check the RUNT with the license plate and owner's data

The RUNT (National Single Traffic Registry) gathers information on the vehicle and its associated records. The citizen inquiry is done on the official RUNT portal and, depending on the case, may ask for the license plate along with the current owner's data. That's why it's convenient to ask the seller for their document number in advance; if they refuse for no reason, that's already a sign.

Be clear about one thing: the RUNT alone does not show you all the debts or all the legal problems of a car. It is a piece of the puzzle, not the complete X-ray. Use it together with SIMIT and the review of physical documents.

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

Checking tickets is only one part. For automotive procedures, it is normally required to be registered in the RUNT and to be up to date on fines; depending on the procedure and the local authority, the SOAT, technical-mechanical inspection, and taxes are also verified. This is documented, for example, by the Mobility Single Service Window in Bogotá (do not generalize that process to the rest of the country: each local authority handles its own).

Before handing over money, check this minimum list:

• Valid SOAT in the name of the correct vehicle.
• Technical-mechanical inspection up to date (when applicable according to the car's age).
• Vehicle tax with no pending balances.
• That the seller's name matches the registered owner.
• Engine and chassis numbers that match the ownership card (tarjeta de propiedad).
• Liens or pledges: if the car is backing a loan, that changes the deal.

Step 4: What to do if a debt or a ticket in dispute appears

If something pending appears on SIMIT or RUNT, don't let it slide thinking it will be "fixed later." The prudent thing 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 traffic authority. Don't settle for a "don't worry, I already paid that": ask for proof and verify.

If the ticket is in dispute (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 photo-fines, which left doubts about their validity. Do not assume those photo-fines were automatically annulled; check it case by case and don't ignore the cameras. When the debt is clean, the next step is the transfer (traspaso), which has its own process.

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

Let's switch sides of the deal for a moment. If you are the one selling, be clear about one thing: the serious buyer is going to check your license plate. Get ahead of it. Arrive with a clean SIMIT and RUNT, valid SOAT and technical-mechanical inspection, taxes up to date, and total clarity on the status of the transfer. 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 concrete fact that works in your favor: according to the active ads on Colombia Move (June 2026), the car category is currently practically empty—with no active ads—so a well-made ad, with clear paperwork and honest photos, has very little competition to appear first to buyers who are actually 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 requested).
• I confirmed SOAT, technical-mechanical inspection, and taxes.
• The seller matches the registered owner.
• 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 through their official portals (as of June 2026). Be wary of anyone charging you for a 'full report': you can do the basics yourself in minutes.

❓ Can I check for traffic tickets using only the license plate?

Yes. SIMIT allows you to search by vehicle license plate and shows associated traffic tickets and fines (as of June 2026). For a serious transaction, it is also advisable to check the seller's ID 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 'comparendo' is a citation for an alleged traffic violation; a 'multa' is the financial penalty that becomes final once confirmed. This is a distinction made by the National Traffic Code (Law 769 of 2002) and it defines who resolves the debt and when.

❓ Can a car with fines be sold?

It can be negotiated, but an outstanding obligation can delay or prevent paperwork with the traffic authority. It is prudent for the seller to resolve it before you pay the balance; verify it on 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 tickets, documents, and ensuring the seller is the owner reduces the risk of fraud, but does not eliminate it (as of June 2026). Combine this with seeing the car in person, checking the engine and chassis numbers, and being wary of a seller in a rush.

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

Ask for the payment receipt and keep in mind that SIMIT does not always update in real time (as of 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 (as of June 2026). That is why it is advisable to check both: each one provides a different piece of the puzzle before buying.