Buying a used car in Belgium: what to check

In brief

• Compare asking prices for similar cars. Consider the year, mileage, trim and visible condition. The prices in the table below are dealer asking prices in our data, not confirmed sale prices.
• Inspect the car yourself. Check the bodywork, tyres and interior. Take it for a test drive and ask about any faults you notice.
• Ask for the Car-Pass. Check the mileage records, service history and that the document is genuine.
• Check the inspection certificate. Check its expiry date and ask what any comments mean.
• Put the agreement in writing. Make sure it is clear which car you are buying, the agreed price and which documents you will receive.
• Discuss any outstanding obligations. Ask the seller whether there is still finance outstanding on the car, or whether it is subject to a lien or seizure. Ask for evidence if anything is unclear.
• Plan the steps after buying. Before driving the car, check what you need to do about registration, insurance and taxes.

How much do used cars cost in Belgium?

The table shows the most frequently listed models in our Belgian data. For each model, you can see the median dealer asking price, the middle half of asking prices (P25-P75) and the number of cars. Compare a listing with cars as close as possible in age, mileage and trim.

Dealer asking prices on 4 Nov 2026, not sale prices. Models with at least 30 cars for sale; the range is the middle half of asking prices (P25–P75).

See all models and asking prices in Belgium if your car is not in the table. Use Check a listing to compare a specific asking price with similar listings. A low asking price alone tells you nothing about the car’s condition.

Checks before you buy

Start with the car in front of you. Compare the chassis number or VIN on the car with the number on the documents shown by the seller. Ask for an explanation if details differ or are hard to read. Also check that the trim and mileage in the listing match what you see. Note down questions during the viewing so you can compare the answers with the paperwork later.

Ask for the Car-Pass before you decide. For a sale covered by the Belgian requirement, the seller must give you a valid Car-Pass. This applies to both dealers and private sellers. The document contains reported mileage readings and service history. Compare these details with the car’s odometer and any service invoices the seller can show you. Check whether the Car-Pass says a post-accident inspection is still required. Read what is on the Car-Pass.

A Car-Pass is valid for two months. Scan the QR code or enter the identification number in the official Car-Pass check. Ask the seller to explain any unclear sequence of mileage readings. The Car-Pass gives you useful information, but it does not replace viewing the car.

Next, check the keuringsbewijs (inspection certificate). It shows an expiry date. Check the date on the document itself and read any comments rather than relying only on what the listing says. Under the current sales procedure, a car must undergo a used car inspection before it is sold to a private buyer. Flanders has announced that the mandatory used car inspection for sales within Belgium will end from January 2027. Check the rules again if you are buying later.

Also ask directly whether there is still any finance outstanding on the car and whether it is subject to a lien or seizure. Ask the seller to explain how any outstanding obligation will be dealt with. Get independent advice if you are unsure about outstanding obligations.

Paperwork and handover

Go through the paperwork with the seller while the car is still available. Ask to see the registration certificate, inspection certificate and Car-Pass. Compare the vehicle details with the car. Also ask for service invoices, repair invoices and any information about damage. If anything is missing, ask why and note what the seller will still provide.

If you buy from a dealer, read the description of the car’s condition in the sales contract. According to ConsumerConnect from the FPS Economy, the seller must include a description of the used car and its parts. Check that the description matches what you saw during the viewing. Ask for unclear wording to be clarified before you sign.

For every sale, clearly record the agreed price, the car’s identity, the mileage you see at handover and the documents provided. Keep your own copy of the agreement and proof of payment. Check together what you actually receive on the day of handover, including the keys and any documents the seller promised.

Ask your insurer and the DIV (Vehicle Registration Service) which steps you need to take to register the car in your circumstances, and in what order. Ask in good time so you know which documents to get from the seller. The Belgian calculator estimates registration tax, any VAT, transport and fees based on the details entered. Check with the relevant authority which taxes apply to your purchase.

Buying from a dealer or a private seller

When you buy from a dealer, the statutory consumer guarantee normally lasts two years. For a used item, it may be reduced to one year if the dealer clearly tells you. Before buying, check what the documents say about the guarantee period and keep the sales paperwork. If a specific problem arises, ask for advice about your statutory guarantee rights. Read the Belgian government’s guidance.

If you buy from a private seller, the EU rules on the statutory consumer guarantee do not apply to that purchase. This makes your own checks on the car and written agreement especially important. Ask about servicing, damage and the reason for the sale. Make sure any answers that matter to your decision are included in the agreement. See the EU guidance on guarantees.

The Car-Pass is a separate consideration: for a sale covered by the requirement, a private seller must also give you a valid Car-Pass.

After buying

Before driving the car, ask your insurer and the DIV what you need to do in your circumstances. Ask your insurer which details and documents are needed, and check with the DIV how registration works for your purchase. Keep the seller’s documents together with any confirmations you receive afterwards.

Bear in mind the annual road tax. In Flanders, the Flemish Tax Service automatically sends an annual tax notice for as long as the car remains registered. In Wallonia, the tax is due as soon as the car is listed in the DIV register, according to the Walloon government. In Brussels, Brussels Fiscality sends the tax notice after registration with the DIV.

Also note the date of the next vehicle inspection. In Flanders, a passenger car’s first routine periodic inspection is due when it reaches four years from its first use. The Flemish government says that, since September 2026, passenger cars have an interval of two years. Always check the expiry date on your inspection certificate and check the Flemish inspection rules for your car.

In Wallonia, routine inspections are generally annual after four years, according to the Walloon road safety service. For cars that meet the conditions, the validity period may be two years, according to the Walloon government. Use the inspection certificate for your car’s due date and confirm any exceptions with the inspection centre.

Buying here and registering the car in another country?

Before buying, check which documents and steps the destination country requires. Include the Belgian asking price, transport and registration costs in your comparison.

The import calculators by country estimate registration tax, any VAT, transport and fees based on the destination and the car’s details. Before buying, check with the relevant authorities in the destination country which costs apply to your car.