Buying a used car in the Netherlands: what to check

In brief

• Compare asking prices for similar used cars. Then look at the specification, mileage, condition and maintenance of the car you’re considering.
• Check the APK date. You’ll find it in the RDW registration check under expiry dates and history. Also ask for the latest APK inspection report.
• Check the mileage. Enter the registration number and exact odometer reading in the RDW check. If in doubt, ask for an explanation and maintenance records.
• Look at the history. The owner or registered keeper can request an RDW Vehicle Report. Ask the seller if you can see it.
• Check the vehicle identification number. Compare the number on the car with the vehicle details.
• Check that the car can be transferred. Use the RDW registration check to see whether a registration block is listed.
• Put the agreement in writing. Note what you discussed about the condition, maintenance and any defects.
• Arrange the transfer and your obligations afterwards. Once the car is registered in your name, you are responsible for third-party liability insurance, motor vehicle tax and the APK.

What do used cars cost in the Netherlands?

The table shows the most frequently advertised used car models in our data, with the median asking price at car dealers for each model, the middle half of asking prices (P25–P75) and the number of cars. These are not sale prices. An individual used car may differ depending on its specification, mileage, maintenance and condition.

Dealer asking prices on 3 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 the Netherlands. To assess a specific advert, use the advert check. For price comparisons, also read how the data and statistics are compiled.

Checks before you buy

Start with the registration and APK. The APK date is listed in the RDW registration check under expiry dates and history. Ask the seller for the APK inspection report. According to the RDW, a car also gets a report after an inspection if it fails. So read what the report says; don’t look only at a listed inspection date.

How often a car needs an APK test depends, among other things, on its fuel type and age. For ordinary light passenger cars running on petrol or electricity, the RDW describes the first APK test at 4 years, then at 6 and 8 years, and annually thereafter, until the different rules for older vehicles apply. For ordinary light passenger cars running on diesel or gas, the RDW APK handbook gives the first APK test at 3 years, followed by annual tests until the different rules for older vehicles apply. Check the date for the car you want to buy instead of relying only on this general schedule.

Check the odometer reading. In the RDW mileage check, enter the registration number and the exact reading on the odometer. The result no judgement means there is too little information to reach a judgement. Don’t take it as confirmation that the reading is correct. Also compare the reading with maintenance invoices and any records the seller can show you. Ask for an explanation if the details don’t match.

Ask for the RDW Vehicle Report. The owner or registered keeper can request one online free of charge. For cars that require an APK, the report includes the APK history, with points for repairs and advice. These give you specific topics to discuss with the seller. Also ask for invoices for maintenance and repairs so you can see what work has been carried out.

Check that the car can be transferred. The Rijksoverheid refers to the RDW registration check for this: see whether a registration block is listed. If the car is financed or leased, an issue restriction may also apply. According to the RDW, this can mean that only the company involved can request the registration code. If the seller can’t provide the code, first ask how the transfer will be arranged.

Finally, check the vehicle identification number, often called the VIN or chassis number. For a private purchase, the RDW advises checking that the number matches the one stamped into the car. Ask for an explanation of any difference before you decide. Also take time for a general inspection: check the tyres, interior and visible damage, and ask the seller what defects they know about.

Paperwork and transfer

Before you meet, ask which registration documents the seller has. For a standard transfer at a counter, the RDW lists the registration card and registration code. If the car still has paper documents, these are the original tenaamstellingsbewijs (registration certificate) and overschrijvingsbewijs (transfer certificate). Before paying, check that the required documents are available. If there is an issue restriction or the code is missing, ask the seller to clarify this first.

Also discuss which documents you’ll receive for the car: the APK inspection report, maintenance invoices and any information about repairs carried out. Write down any important promises about the car’s condition. This will make it clearer later what information you had when you made your decision. Compare the details on the documents with the car and the advert, including the registration number and VIN.

According to the RDW, the car is registered in your name immediately when the transfer is completed. Agree with the seller when you’ll transfer it, pay and take the car away. Check that the transfer has been completed. From then on, you’re responsible for insurance, motor vehicle tax and the APK, according to the Rijksoverheid.

Buying from a car dealer or private seller

If you buy from a car dealer as a consumer, the statutory guarantee for a consumer purchase applies. In the Netherlands, it has no fixed time limit. If a fault occurs, what matters is whether the car meets the terms of the agreement. A clear description of the car’s condition and clear agreements can help you discuss this.

If a car doesn’t meet the terms of the agreement in a consumer purchase, you’re entitled to a free repair or replacement, according to the Rijksoverheid. Tell the seller about any problem you discover. ACM ConsuWijzer says you must complain within 2 months of discovering it. If there is a dispute because the seller says you caused the fault, the seller must prove that claim during the first year, according to ACM ConsuWijzer.

If you buy from another private individual, that is not a consumer purchase, according to De Rechtspraak. The special rules for consumer purchases do not apply. So ask specific questions about maintenance, damage and defects before buying. Write down any answers that matter to your decision. Carry out the same RDW checks, even if you know the seller.

After the purchase

After the transfer, you’re responsible for the car’s third-party liability insurance, motor vehicle tax and APK approval, according to the Rijksoverheid. Make sure the third-party liability insurance starts as soon as the car is registered in your name. Check the APK date again in the RDW registration check and add it to your calendar. Keep the inspection report with the car’s other documents.

Also check which maintenance work the seller mentioned and which items are backed up by an invoice. If information is missing, ask for an explanation. As well as the APK expiry date and service book, check the car’s current condition. Use what you observed during the inspection, test drive and document checks to decide what maintenance you want to have checked yourself.

Buying here and registering the car in another country?

If you’re going to register the car outside the Netherlands, check the process for the country where it will be registered. Check the requirements and costs for that destination before you complete the purchase.

See also the overview of import calculators.