Letgo Turkey Guide: How to Buy, Sell, and Use Otoplus (Updated)

Letgo Turkey isn’t just a digital garage sale anymore. If you haven’t used the platform since the massive Otoplus integration in early 2025, you are looking at a completely different beast. It has shifted from a chaotic meetup only marketplace to a structured ecosystem featuring government ID verification and professional car dealerships.

Whether you are an expat trying to furnish an apartment in Istanbul or a local looking to flip a used car, the rules have changed. Here is the practitioner’s guide to actually making Letgo work for you, stripped of the marketing fluff.

The New Landscape: Letgo vs. Otoplus

First, clear up the confusion: Otoplus is now the roof brand. While you still download the Letgo app, the infrastructure is heavily pivoting toward the automotive sector. As of February 2025, the platform consolidated Otonet and Otoplus, creating a massive network for buying and selling vehicles with corporate backing.

Does this mean you can’t sell your old sofa? No. You can still sell general items, but you are now operating in a more verified environment. Competition is fierce; for fashion, many users have migrated to Dolap (owned by Trendyol), while Sahibinden remains the king of real estate. Letgo’s sweet spot remains quick turnover electronics, furniture, and, increasingly, automobiles.

How to Register (The “Street Smart” Way)

Gone are the days of anonymous burning accounts. To trade actively, especially with shipping, you need verification. Here is the reality of signing up:

• The Phone Number Barrier: You can sign in via Google, Facebook, or Apple ID, but the system will demand a valid mobile number for SMS verification (4-digit code) before you can post high value items or use the “Secure Wallet” feature.
• The e Devlet Check: This is the “Hidden Gem” tip for 2026. If you plan to sell using the cargo/shipping option, the version 20.02 update (released Feb 2025) requires you to verify your identity via e Devlet (Turkey’s digital government portal). If you are a foreigner without a residency permit (Ikamet) and access to e Devlet, you may be restricted to local, cash only meetups.

Buying and Selling: The “Secure Payment” Update

Old guides will tell you Letgo is “meetup only.” That is outdated information.

Letgo has fully integrated a system called “Güvenli Ödeme ve Kargo” (Secure Payment and Shipping), powered by iyzico. Here is how it works in practice:

• The Process: The buyer pays through the app. The money is held in an escrow account. The seller ships the item (usually via Yurtiçi Kargo).
• The Buyer Protection: Once the item arrives, the buyer has a window to inspect it. If it’s damaged or not as described, the money is refunded.
• The Cost: This isn’t free. There is a service fee (Buyer Protection fee), often around 10% of the item’s value. As a buyer, you need to calculate if this fee is worth the safety, or if you should just meet the seller at a local metro station.

If you love hunting for bargains in different markets, check out our guide to Flea Markets in Netherlands to see how European second-hand cultures compare.

Buying Cars: The Otoplus Guarantee

This is where Letgo shines over its competitors. If you buy a car through the Otoplus verified channel (not just a random guy named Ahmet selling his Fiat), you get actual corporate guarantees.

The 20-Day Return Policy: If you buy an Otoplus car, you have a 20-day return right, provided you haven’t driven it more than 500km and haven’t crashed it. This is unheard of in the traditional Turkish used car market. They also own a stake in Pilot Garage, meaning the expertise reports are generally reliable.

Customer Service Contacts

If things go wrongand in the used market, they sometimes doyou need a human. Do not rely on old emails. Here is the verified contact data:

• Phone: (0850) 955 50 50
• Hours: 09:00 – 22:00 (Every day)
• Car Return Inquiries: [email protected]

What Should You Actually Buy Here?

While you can find anything, the algorithm and user base favor specific categories. If you are looking for specific fashion items, you might want to look elsewhere, similar to how you would browse Online Shopping Sites in Georgia for regional specifics. However, for Letgo Turkey, stick to these:

• Electronics: High liquidity. Phones and laptops sell fast.
• Furniture: Moving sale items are common in expat heavy neighborhoods like Kadıköy or Cihangir.
• Automobiles: The Otoplus inventory is the safest bet for foreigners unfamiliar with local mechanics.

Insider Tip: Always negotiate. The listed price on Letgo is rarely the final price. It is culturally expected that you will ask for a “pazarlık payı” (bargaining margin).