The Parliament of Cyprus has passed a new bill that permits the registration and resale of vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbags, under specific legal conditions. This move comes in response to widespread global recalls by auto manufacturers and affects an estimated 82,000 vehicles across the island.
What the New Law Says
Cars under recall can now be sold or re-registered only with written consent from both the seller and buyer.
This written statement must confirm that the buyer is fully aware of the vehicle’s recall status.
The new owner has up to three months to repair the defect as specified in the recall notice.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being deregistered or denied roadworthiness certification.
Additional Regulations
During the sale or initial registration of any vehicle, sellers must now provide an official certificate (valid for no more than 30 days) proving the vehicle is not subject to an active recall.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Breaking these rules can lead to serious consequences:
Fines up to €10,000
Imprisonment for up to 2 years
Or both
These strict measures are part of a national strategy to enhance road safety and prevent the continued operation of vehicles with life-threatening defects.
The Takata Airbag Crisis in Cyprus
Over the past decade, more than 82,000 vehicles in Cyprus have been identified as having defective Takata airbags — a problem that has led to multiple fatalities worldwide, including two tragic deaths locally: 24-year-old Kyriakos Oxinos and 19-year-old Styliani Georgalli.
Thanks to the efforts of the Road Transport Department, over 33,000 airbags have already been replaced, and many more vehicles are currently undergoing repairs.
The Ministry of Transport has published a complete list of affected manufacturers and local dealers. Owners can check their vehicle’s status by entering the VIN number on dealer websites listed on the official government portal.
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