How to legally sell used spare parts and auto parts in Colombia

If you own a mechanic shop, dismantled a vehicle after an accident, or simply have parts piling up in your garage, selling used spare parts is a high-demand business in Colombia. However, this market is under the scrutiny of the authorities. Watch out for this: selling a headlight or an alternator without clear paperwork can turn into a very serious legal problem. Honestly, I would skip any deal where the origin of the part is questionable.

In this guide, you will find the updated legal framework, how to process the deregistration of a vehicle with the RUNT, why the DIAN blocks the import of used auto parts, how to set competitive prices, and where to post to maximize your profit without paying commissions.

The legal framework: why you must avoid the crime of receiving stolen goods (Article 447)

There is a fact that surprises many sellers: the Law 738 of 2002 —which still circulates in forums and Facebook groups as the regulation governing the auto parts trade— was declared unenforceable (unconstitutional) in its entirety by the Constitutional Court of Colombia through Judgment C-205 of 2003. The court determined that the law violated the principle of presumption of innocence by forcing the seller to prove that the parts were not stolen. Today, that law is no longer in effect.

What is fully in effect is the Receiving stolen goods, as defined in the Article 447 of the Colombian Penal Code (Law 599 of 2000, amended by Law 1142 of 2007). Anyone who buys, receives, conceals, sells, or helps to market auto parts derived from a crime may face penalties of 6 to 13 years in prison and fines of up to 700 minimum wages. For essential vehicle parts such as engines, transmissions, or chassis, the penalty is automatically increased.

The practical conclusion is clear: you need to prove the legal origin of every part you sell. A purchase invoice, a RUNT certificate of destruction, or an insurance salvage document are the supporting documents that protect you. Without them, the transaction could lead to a criminal investigation.

How to deregister your vehicle in the RUNT to legally sell its parts

If you want to dismantle your own car or motorcycle to sell the parts, the legal path is Vehicle Registration Cancellation due to physical scrapping before the RUNT. This process is irreversible: once processed, the vehicle ceases to exist legally and cannot be registered again. Make sure it is the right decision before you begin.

The process has two mandatory steps. First, you must deliver the complete vehicle to a dismantling entity authorized by the Ministry of Transport. That company issues the Certificate of Physical Disintegration, which is the document that legally supports the origin of every part that leaves the vehicle. Without that certificate, the parts remain in a legal limbo. Second, with the certificate in hand, you process the Registration Cancellation with the RUNT, which frees you from the SOAT and the technical-mechanical inspection, and gives you the definitive support for the sale (procedures updated according to the RUNT in 2025-2026).

Do you have a vehicle that was totaled and declared a loss by the insurance company? The insurer usually manages the process. Ask them for the salvage number and the documentation so you can sell the parts you have left.

DIAN restrictions: you cannot freely import used auto parts

The short answer is no, at least not in a general sense. The DIAN and the Ministry of Commerce classify used auto parts under the regime of prior license (DIAN Customs Concept 54 of 2007), which means that every import requires prior approval from the Import Committee. In practice, that committee systematically rejects requests for used auto parts.

The only recognized exception applies to classic or antique vehicles with certification from the Automovil Club de Colombia. If someone offers you imported salvage parts from the United States at a bargain price, watch out: those parts almost certainly do not have the proper import permits.

Your legal sources for used auto parts are: authorized local scrapyards and recycling centers, documented salvage from Colombian insurance companies, and parts removed from a vehicle of yours that has been deregistered in the RUNT with its corresponding certificate. Everything else carries legal risk.

Prices and valuation: how much is a second-hand spare part worth?

Pricing a used spare part requires distinguishing between two scenarios with very different logic.

If the parts come from an authorized scrapyard with a Certificate of Physical Disintegration, the market supports higher prices because the buyer has documentary proof of origin. According to analysis by Cesvi Colombia (2026), parts legally recovered in authorized scrapyards offer savings of 40% to 70% compared to the original new ones, and independent workshops and mechanics know it and seek them out.

In private sales, where there is no company warranty or backing from a scrapping entity, the typical market price ranges between 30% and 50% of the commercial value of the new original spare part, depending on the wear and rarity of the piece. Asking for more than that range without solid documentation will immediately generate distrust.

A fact in your favor: according to the active listings on Colombia Move (June 2026), the vehicle spare parts category currently has 0 active ads in the face of growing buyer demand. If you list at a fair price with good technical documentation, you will have no direct competition on the platform.

How to prepare your listing to sell faster

Technical information is the filter that keeps the merely curious away. So that the buyer knows right from the start if the part fits their vehicle, always include these details:

• Exact make and model of the donor vehicle (e.g., 2015 Chevrolet Spark GT)
• Years of confirmed compatibility (e.g., compatible with 2013-2018 models)
• OEM part number: the unique manufacturer code engraved on the part
• Actual physical condition and original mileage if applicable (vital for engines and transmissions)
• Documentary support available: invoice, RUNT certificate, or insurance salvage

For photos, clean the part with degreaser before photographing it. The most important shot is the detail of the serial number or manufacturer's stamp, with electrical connectors and anchor points visible and intact. A clean, well-documented part communicates professionalism, and that is worth more than any description.

Where to post your spare parts without paying commissions

Facebook groups are the most used channel for selling spare parts, but also the riskiest: fake profiles, buyers who don't show up, and zero screening for legitimacy. MercadoLibre has an audience, but its commissions eat into margins on medium-low price parts. WhatsApp groups work if you have a network, but they don't expose you to new buyers outside your circle.

On Colombia Move, you can post your auto parts for free, organize them in the spare parts category, and receive messages directly to your WhatsApp without intermediaries. Ads are indexed on Google with the OEM number in the title, which means someone searching for a specific part can find your ad directly. To compare all available options, check out where to sell used things in Colombia without paying commission.

When the time comes to close the deal: meet the buyer at your workshop or in a public place with plenty of people. Never deliver an expensive part to a home address to someone you don't know. If the payment is via Nequi, Bancolombia, or Daviplata, always verify from your own application that the money has arrived before handing over the part. Fake screenshots are the most frequent scam in these transactions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Law 738 of 2002 still in effect for the sale of auto parts?

No. Law 738 of 2002 was declared unenforceable (unconstitutional) in its entirety by the Constitutional Court of Colombia through Judgment C-205 of 2003. The court determined that it violated the presumption of innocence by shifting the burden of proof onto the seller. Today, it has no legal effect. The trade of illicit auto parts is indeed punished, but under the crime of Receiving Stolen Goods (Article 447 of the Penal Code, in effect in 2026).

What is the penalty for selling illicit auto parts in Colombia?

Selling or buying auto parts of criminal origin constitutes the crime of Receiving Stolen Goods according to Article 447 of the Colombian Penal Code (Law 599 of 2000, modified by Law 1142 of 2007). The penalty is 6 to 13 years in prison and fines of up to 700 minimum wages when it involves essential vehicle parts such as engines, transmissions, or chassis. The Police conduct regular operations to verify serial numbers in workshops and scrapyards.

Can used spare parts be imported into Colombia legally?

Not in a general sense. The DIAN and the Ministry of Commerce restrict the import of used auto parts under the prior license regime (DIAN Customs Concept 54 of 2007). The Import Committee does not approve them except for very strict exceptions for classic or antique vehicles with certification from the Automovil Club de Colombia. For regular trade, the legal source is authorized local scrapyards and Colombian insurance salvage.

How can I dismantle my own car to sell the parts legally?

You must carry out the Registration Cancellation before the RUNT due to physical disintegration, an irreversible process according to RUNT provisions in effect in 2026. First, deliver the vehicle to a disintegration entity authorized by the Ministry of Transport; that company issues the Physical Disintegration Certificate. With that certificate, you process the deregistration in the RUNT, which frees you from the SOAT and the technical-mechanical inspection, and gives you documentary support for every part you sell.

How much can I charge for an original used spare part?

It depends on the source. According to analysis by Cesvi Colombia (2026), parts from authorized scrapyards offer savings of 40% to 70% compared to new original ones. In private sales without a company warranty, the typical market price ranges between 30% and 50% of the value of the new original part. The rarity of the part and its condition adjust that range up or down.

Where can I post my used spare parts for free in Colombia?

Colombia Move allows you to post auto parts in the spare parts category for free and without commissions, with ads indexed on Google so they can find you by OEM number or exact reference. Buyers contact you directly via WhatsApp. There are also Facebook groups (higher risk of scams) and MercadoLibre (charges commission). The spare parts category on Colombia Move currently has 0 active ads, so if you post today, you will have guaranteed visibility.

How do I collect payment safely and avoid scams when selling spare parts?

Always verify the payment from your own banking app (Nequi, Bancolombia, or Daviplata) before handing over the part. Do not accept screenshots as confirmation: it is the most frequent scam in these sales. Meet the buyer at your workshop or in a public place with people, never at a home address if you don't know them. Be wary of urgent offers or prices well below market value, as they are usually a sign that something is not right.