AZE.US
Azerbaijan is considering the introduction of digital passports for vehicles, creating a centralized record of each car’s repair history, accidents and previous ownership.
As AZE.US reports, the proposal was made by Farid Kazimov, a member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, during an event in Baku titled “Toward Safe Mobility.”
Kazimov said the platform should be accessible not only to relevant government agencies, but also to car dealers, service centers and vehicle owners.
Under the proposal, information would be added to a vehicle’s digital passport from the moment it enters Azerbaijan. The record could include maintenance and repair work, traffic accidents and details about previous owners or drivers.
“When a vehicle is repaired at a service center, that center should be able to enter the relevant information into the digital passport,” Kazimov said. “This could make the car market more transparent and help move it out of the gray economy.”
He noted that similar systems are already used in Europe.
A comprehensive digital history could help buyers assess a vehicle’s true condition before completing a purchase and reduce the risk of buying cars with concealed accident damage, questionable repair records or altered mileage.
Kazimov also proposed introducing additional safeguards for advance payments made when ordering vehicles from dealers.
He said some buyers face fraud when they pay deposits but never receive the promised vehicle. To reduce that risk, he suggested applying a model similar to one already used in certain real estate transactions.
Under the proposed system, a buyer would deposit 20% to 30% of the vehicle’s price into a protected bank account rather than transferring the money directly to the seller.
The dealer would gain access to the funds only after the vehicle arrives in Azerbaijan, the necessary documents are completed and the car is delivered to the buyer.
Kazimov acknowledged that the arrangement may require dealers to adjust their current business practices, but said it could provide stronger protection for consumers and help prevent fraud in the automotive market.
AZE.US