I am from Romania and went to South America to travel by motorcycle. I was able to buy and eventually sell a new motorcycle in Chile with Martin's (Andes Adventure Bikes) support.

With Martin's help, I experienced a very smooth and transparent purchasing process for my new motorcycle, as well as for the selling process. The entire process of buying a new motorcycle took 4 days, but because it was a new motorcycle, I had to wait for a document – Padron (official ownership document for the vehicle) from Registro Civil, in order to be allowed to cross the border outside Chile with the bike.

This document can be downloaded online and/or printed (even requested by Registro Civil in every bigger town) and it takes approximately 4 weeks to be available.

1. Without the Padron, it is not possible for the vehicle to cross the border (exit Chile) if the vehicle is new.
2. The Padron takes approximately 4 weeks to be available online for all transfers of ownership.
3. Some friends were able to cross the border after buying used bikes without a Padron but with a kind of “power of attorney confirmation” from the previous owner.

After I had the Padron in my possession, it was never a problem to exit Chile with the bike, or cross any other border. I went from Chile to Argentina, Argentina to Bolivia, Bolivia to Peru, and Peru back to Chile.