“You’re my friend! You sold me a broken car!”

Andrei frowned. “That’s… not exactly legal. If the tax office checks the market value, they’ll know.”

They made two copies—one each. Vlad handed over the envelope. Andrei signed a separate (Power of Attorney for Registration) so Vlad could get new plates without him. Three months later.

Vlad never spoke to Andrei again. Andrei now sells cars with a notary-attested contract and a pre-sale inspection report. Vlad checks the “Market Value” box honestly, even if it costs more tax. And both learned the same lesson: a Contract de Vânzare-Cumpărare Auto is not just a piece of paper. It’s a promise, a shield, and sometimes—a silent witness to a friendship’s end.

Andrei’s phone rang at 11 PM. It was Vlad, furious.

Andrei signed anyway. They added a handwritten clause in : “Vehicle sold ‘as is’ (în starea în care se află). Seller not responsible for any mechanical issues after signing.”