10 Things to Check Before Buying a Used Car in the Netherlands

Buying a used car in the Netherlands can make financial sense — but the registration, history, condition, and total cost all need checking. Use this list as a first filter before signing anything, then arrange an independent inspection when the value or risk justifies it.

1. Check the Vehicle Registration (Kentekenbewijs)

Most cars now have a credit-card-sized registration certificate (kentekencard) and a separate nine-digit registration code (tenaamstellingscode). Older cars may still have original paper documents. Check that the seller has the valid card and complete code needed for transfer, compare the holder details with the seller's identification, and match the VIN on the card to the VIN physically stamped into the car. If somebody is selling on the registered holder's behalf, establish their authority before paying.

2. Run an RDW Check

The RDW is the Dutch vehicle authority. Its free registration check shows public vehicle data such as technical specifications, APK expiry, transfer status, recalls, important dates, and a mileage judgement where available. It does not show the registered person's identity or the complete sequence of recorded mileages. Ask the registered owner or holder for the more detailed RDW vehicle report, which can include individual readings and APK history. An illogical mileage judgement or an unexplained drop needs investigation; it can indicate rollback, but an input error or instrument replacement is also possible.

3. Verify the APK (MOT) Status

Most cars must undergo a periodic APK inspection — similar to the MOT in the UK — according to a schedule based on factors such as age and fuel type. Check the current expiry date and available inspection points through the RDW. A recent pass means the vehicle met the applicable minimum roadworthiness and environmental requirements at that inspection. It does not establish reliability, maintenance quality, market value, or the absence of developing faults.

4. Check for Outstanding Finance or Debt

A registration certificate identifies the registered owner or holder, but possession of the card alone should not be treated as conclusive proof that there are no financing, lease, ownership, or seizure issues. Confirm that the seller has the valid registration card and complete registration code, check in the RDW result that transfer is possible, ask in writing whether any third party owns or has a claim over the car, and put the seller's confirmation of ownership in the purchase agreement. If the circumstances are unclear, do not rely on a commercial history report as a guarantee that title is clean; obtain specialist advice or choose another car.

5. Inspect the Bodywork for Accident Damage

Stand back and look along the side of the car from a low angle in good light. Look for:

• Uneven panel gaps (doors, bonnet, boot)
• Mismatched paint shades between panels
• Overspray on rubber seals or plastic trim
• Fresh paint on just one or two panels
• Rippling or waviness under the paint surface

These are warning signs of repainting or repair, not automatic proof of a serious collision. Ask what happened, request invoices or photographs, and have suspicious structural areas checked professionally.

6. Check for Rust — Especially the Underside

The Netherlands has a wet climate and roads treated with salt in winter. Rust is very common on older vehicles. Key areas to check:

• Wheel arches (inside and outside)
• Sills (the metal along the bottom of the doors)
• The underside of the car — look underneath with a torch
• Around the boot floor and spare wheel well
• Inside the engine bay along the edges

Surface rust can be cosmetic. Structural rust is a dealbreaker — it can affect the car's safety and is expensive to repair.

7. Test All Electronics and Comfort Features

Don't skip this step. On your test visit, check every single switch and button:

• All windows up and down
• Central locking (with the key and remote)
• Air conditioning (both heating and cooling)
• All lights — interior, exterior, fog, reversing
• Infotainment system and navigation
• Heated seats, parking sensors, cameras

Electronic repairs on modern cars can be surprisingly expensive.

8. Take It for a Proper Test Drive

A short spin around the block is not enough. Insist on a test drive of at least 20–30 minutes that includes:

• Motorway speeds (to feel for vibration, pulling, or steering issues)
• Controlled, progressively firmer braking on a clear and lawful stretch of road — never create a hazard to test the car
• Cold start if possible (start the engine from cold)
• Gear changes at different speeds (for manual and automatic)

Listen for unusual noises — rattles, knocking, squealing brakes, or a rough idle are all warning signs.

9. Check the Engine and Service History

Open the bonnet and look for:

• Oil level and condition (dark oil is not automatically bad; a milky deposit can come from condensation but can also indicate coolant contamination and needs investigation)
• Coolant level and condition
• Any fresh repairs or new parts that look out of place
• Rubber hoses in good condition

Ask for the service book or service history records. A car serviced regularly at a garage or dealer is significantly lower risk than one with no documented history.

10. Book an Independent Pre-Purchase Inspection

Even if everything looks good, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent garage, mobile inspection provider, or marque specialist can uncover issues invisible to the untrained eye — from brake wear to suspension problems or evidence of structural repair. Compare the scope carefully: a roadside visual assessment is not the same as an inspection on a lift, diagnostic scan, or EV battery-health test.

For an ordinary car, ANWB currently indicates a typical range of approximately €150–€350, depending on provider and scope. If the seller refuses any reasonable independent inspection, treat that as a serious warning and be prepared to choose another car.

Official Checks and Further Reading

• RDW: registration certificates and codes
• RDW: tips for buying a vehicle
• RDW: vehicle report explained (Dutch)
• ANWB: choosing a pre-purchase inspection (Dutch)