Selling a car: what papers do you need?

Selling a car is actually quite simple

Selling a car is actually child’s play. That’s because the Netherlands has closed all things nicely. But what papers do you actually need? The term “paper” is actually somewhat old-fashioned, as nowadays most cars have a registration card, although the nine-digit registration code is still on paper.

License plate

We may be running a little too fast. The most important thing for selling your car is the registration certificate. Every car in the Netherlands comes with a registration certificate. It has existed since Jan. 1, 2014. This consists of a credit card-sized registration card, a registration code (consists of two parts) and possibly registration certificate part II.

Registration code

The registration code consists of a total of nine digits. You receive the first four digits when you purchase a vehicle and the last five digits when you receive the registration card. You merge the 2 parts of the code yourself on a document. When selling, trading in, suspending, scrapping or exporting, you need the full nine digits. Otherwise, overwriting is not possible. Therefore, keep the registration code carefully.

Initial registration

If the vehicle is new, then it is a first-time registration. In this case, you will receive the complete registration code in a separate envelope, not in two parts. The RDW sends this one day after the registration certificate.

Registration certificate part II

If you export the car, you will receive registration certificate part II. This paper registration certificate Part II includes the name and address of the person who exported the vehicle. The combination of registration card and paper Part II has the function of export registration certificate.

Leased vehicle

For any leased vehicle, you will not receive a registration code if the vehicle is owned by a leasing or financing company. In this case, the leasing or financing company receives the registration code.

Sell car, remember the registration card!

It is mandatory in the Netherlands to carry a registration card with you when you drive. The police may ask for it. If you still have a paper registration certificate, then you need the Vehicle Certificate (Part IA or former Part I) and the Registration Certificate (Part IB or the former Part II) at have.

MOT

A car must also be MOT approved. The RDW will give you proof of that. It is wise to also hand over that document when selling. By the way, for a motorcycle you need the same documents we mentioned above, except for a MOT certificate. A motorcycle does not require an MOT in the Netherlands. Selling your car without an MOT? This is also possible.

Also useful to hand over

Want to give the most complete picture possible about your car? Then also hand over your maintenance documents, service booklet, original owner’s manual and spare key to the new owner. Then you yourself carpenter the complete story. By the way, maintenance records are also linked to a chassis number these days. Through a car brand’s special app, you can then gain insight into a car’s maintenance history, for example.

How you sell it is up to you

Which way you sell your car is entirely up to you. Whether you trade it in to a car dealership, sell it privately through an occasion portal or let companies make an offer, you ultimately decide how the car changes hands. Selling a car for export? Even then, as long as you hand over all the papers neatly.