Buying a car in the Netherlands

Cycling in the Netherlands may be very popular, and you can get pretty much anywhere in the country by public transport, but driving is still one of the most popular modes of transportation. If you didn't import a car to the Netherlands, you may be looking to buy one. Are there any requirements expats need to be aware of when buying a car in the Netherlands? How does it work when you want to buy a second-hand car? This guide considers all the important things you need to know.

Help with buying a car in the Netherlands

If buying a car in the Netherlands as an expat seems a little daunting, you can always enlist help to make this important purchase:

• Carsource - Tailor-made expert advice when buying, selling or importing a car

Buying a car in the Netherlands: The requirements

The process of buying a car in the Netherlands is relatively simple (certainly much simpler than importing a car from abroad), but there are some requirements and regulations that you should be aware of before you start the process. 

In order to purchase a car in the Netherlands and carry out associated formalities such as taking out insurance, paying vehicle taxes and registering it in your name, you must meet the following requirements: 

• You are over the age of 18. 
• You live in the Netherlands and are registered in the Basisregistratie Personen (personal records database). 
• You have a valid Dutch driving licence or a foreign driving licence. 

Can a foreigner buy a car in the Netherlands?

As a foreigner, you can buy a car in the Netherlands, even if you hold a foreign driving licence. However, to buy a car with a foreign driving licence, you will need to provide proof of identity, such as a passport. 

If there is no BSN number on your passport or ID, you will need a BRP extract from your municipality to prove you are registered in the Dutch personal records database.

Cars in the Netherlands

Cars are a popular mode of transport in the Netherlands - and their popularity is actually increasing. According to the CBS, the number of passenger cars in the Netherlands is growing at a faster rate than the population. As of 2020, there were 8,7 million passenger cars in the Netherlands, more than one car for every two people. 

Broadly speaking, there are two different types of car that are available to buy in the Netherlands: 

• New car: A brand new car that has had no previous owners.
• Used car: A used car that may have had many or just a few previous owners. Used cars are a cheaper option as cars typically depreciate in value quickly. 

Which type of car you buy will depend on how much money you want to spend, the kind of car you wish you have, how much use you’re expecting to get out of your vehicle, and how long you plan on remaining in the Netherlands. 

Buying a new car in the Netherlands

Buying a new car in the Netherlands is a significant expense, as car prices are among the highest in Europe. You may also face long wait times to get the keys to your new vehicle. 

However, buying a new car does come with a few key advantages, namely: 

• You get to choose the exact make, model and colour you want.
• You can choose additional safety and performance features. 
• You get better reliability and greater peace of mind, as most dealerships offer comprehensive warranties. 
• Your vehicle will have a longer life expectancy.

Car dealerships in the Netherlands

If you want to buy a brand new car, your first port of call should be a car dealership (auto dealer). Most large cities in the Netherlands will have a handful of car dealers, and these are often linked to one or several individual car manufacturers.

The benefits of buying a car from a Dutch car dealer

There are some benefits when you buy a car from a car dealership in the Netherlands:

• As they are often linked to specific manufacturers, they are reputable businesses with (generally) good customer service.
• If you buy a car with a dealer that is recognised by the RWD, they will register the car in your name, rather than you having to sort that yourself. 
• It's often possible to make use of a delivery service that will deliver your new car to your home.

Warranties and guarantees

In the Netherlands, a new car has a manufacturer’s warranty of at least two years. Some brands even offer a three-year or more warranty. In many cases, it is also possible to extend the warranty for an additional charge. Please note that not everything is covered by this warranty, so make sure you read the conditions carefully.

Financing a car in the Netherlands

Not many people are able to pay for a new car in full, which is why it’s quite common in the Netherlands to finance a car. This involves paying the amount back in monthly installments, with interest, usually over a period of 24 to 60 months. Many manufacturers and dealerships offer their own financing options, usually with better interest rates than you would get at the bank. 

Whether you can apply for car financing depends on your personal circumstances, but the following generally applies:

• You must be over the age of 21
• You must have sufficient income to finance the repayments (proven with bank statements or payslips)
• You must live in the Netherlands

Buying a used car in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, used cars are called occasions. There is a big and active market for used cars in the Netherlands, with options to suit all different budgets and tastes. Used cars have the advantage of being immediately available and generally much more affordable. 

There are several different ways to buy a used car in the Netherlands. You can buy one directly from another person or you can buy one at a car dealership that also offers used cars. In both cases, the process is relatively straightforward, but there are some important points to keep in mind. 

Buying a used car from a private seller

Plenty of people choose to buy a used car from a private seller, as this is usually the best way of finding a good deal. You can use sites such as autoscout24.nl, Bynco, or Ooyyo, or even look for adverts on social media, local noticeboards, newspapers and shop windows. The seller will include their contact information in the advert so you can get in touch and arrange to view the car. You should also be able to give the vehicle a test drive. 

Dutch used car dealers

You can also get used cars from certain car dealers. Buying a second-hand car from a used car dealership generally gives you a bit more piece of mind than buying from a private seller, as dealerships tend to thoroughly test and service used cars before putting them up for sale. Some dealerships may even offer financing options for used cars, making this a very affordable option. The downside is that dealerships generally charge higher prices for used cars than you would find on the private market. 

Used car warranty in the Netherlands

The legal warranty on used cars is 12 months when buying from a car dealership. However, you do have an obligation (onderzoeksplicht) to take a good look at the car beforehand and test drive it before purchasing it. Dealerships might also offer you a guarantee of up to 12 months on top of the warranty, for an additional fee. A used car from a private seller usually has no warranty, unless the manufacturer’s warranty is still valid.

What to look out for when buying a used car

When you are buying a used car in the Netherlands, it’s a good idea to pay extra close attention to the following:

Mileage

Generally, people prefer to buy used cars with low mileages, as this usually means that they have less wear and tear. However, cars with a higher mileage are typically less expensive. It’s good to check the mileage of the car carefully. 

If you are buying a second-hand car from a website, a good thing to look out for is the NAP logo, as this indicates that the car had logical mileage when last registered. If you want more insight into the odometer readings of the car you want to purchase, you can also ask the seller for an RDW Vehicle Report (RDW-Voertuigrapport).

Date of first registration and number of previous owners

When you buy a used car, it’s a good idea to find out how old the car is and how many owners it has had. Generally, the fewer owners, the better. You can find out more about the car by checking its licence plate with the RDW-kentekencheck. This will give you insight into the history of the car. Please note that if there is a “nee” written down at “Tenaamstelling mogelijk?”, it means that ownership of the car cannot be transferred.

Date of next roadworthiness inspection (APK)

You are not allowed to drive a car in the Netherlands without a valid APK (Periodic Technical Inspection), so make sure to ask the seller for previous APK test reports. You can also check the RDW website to see when the next APK is due. If the car has an inspection coming up in the near future, this could influence the price, as if it fails you as the new owner would be responsible for paying for any repairs. If it’s recently passed an inspection, you’ll feel more confident knowing it’s fit to drive. 

Sales contract

When making a big purchase, it’s always a good idea to make sure a contract is drawn up to protect both parties. Generally, you can find templates for these contracts on the internet. The contract should contain all of the important information about the car, including all known defects, and the transaction.

Proper paperwork

The seller should be able to provide all of the car’s paperwork, including the registration card (or registration certificate), the registration number that is needed to transfer ownership, a maintenance and service record, showing any work carried out on the car, and the owner’s manual. They should also have all sets of keys for the car. 

How to buy a car in the Netherlands

Ready to buy a car in the Netherlands? Here’s how the process works, step by step. 

Find the car you want 

There are many places where you can find cars for sale online - both marketplace sites and the websites of individual dealerships. You could also visit dealerships in person or browse personal adverts elsewhere. 

Book a viewing or test drive

When you’ve found a car you like the look of, contact the seller to arrange a viewing. This is your opportunity to take a good look at the car and ask the owner or seller some questions. You should also be able to arrange a test drive. Especially if you are buying a car from a private seller, it’s not uncommon to haggle over the price. 

Pay for your car 

If you’re happy with the vehicle, you can begin the purchase process. You’ll usually sign a binding contract with the seller and make a down payment. Private sellers might allow you to make a down payment and then pay the final balance by bank transfer when you come to collect the car. If you’re buying through a dealership, they may offer some kind of financing plan or allow you to pay in installments. 

Transfer ownership (register the car in your name)

Now that you’ve purchased the car, you need to officially register yourself as its new owner. If you are buying through a dealership, they will usually handle this process for you. When you collect your car, you’ll receive the vehicle registration code (tenaamstellingscode). You will need this code when you take out car insurance and if you ever decide to sell your car. The vehicle registration card will be sent to you in the post. 

If you are buying a used car, you will need to handle the transfer of ownership yourself. To do this, you need to attend a vehicle registration appointment with the vehicle registration card and registration code from the seller. You can find out more about how this process works on our vehicle registration page, including some instructions for transferring ownership online. 

Get car insurance

Once a car is put in your name, you will need car insurance. In the Netherlands, if you own a car, taking out at least third-party liability insurance is mandatory. There are plenty of Dutch car insurance providers to choose from, such as:

• Centraal Beheer
• Univé
• European Insurance (car insurance comparison in English)

Pay your motor vehicle tax

In the Netherlands, most car owners have to pay motor vehicle tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting). After registering your car, the Belastingdienst will automatically send you a bill for this tax. If your car runs completely and exclusively on electricity or hydrogen, you do not have to pay motor vehicle tax (nihiltarief).

Buying a car online in the Netherlands

Buying a car online in the Netherlands is increasingly common, as the process is almost as easy as ordering a takeaway. Of course, there are also cons:

Buying a car online: Pros

Buying a car online offers some advantages, including: 

• You will typically have the possibility for an extended warranty
• You don’t have to negotiate over the price
• Delivery is often possible, so you don’t even have to leave your home
• Some online dealerships and websites offer the option to test drive for a few days
• Exchanging your car is often possible

Buying a car online: Cons

However, there are some downsides to buying a car online:

• You can’t look at the car before you buy it
• You can’t test drive the car before you buy it

If you do decide to purchase a car online, the process is very similar to visiting a dealership or private seller in terms of general requirements. You’ll need to submit the required documents electronically.

Car prices in the Netherlands

Buying a car is a big purchase. According to BOVAG (the sector organisation for the motor trade), the average price of a new car was 45.993 euros in the Netherlands in 2022. Of course, a car will cost you much more than just the purchasing price. You will also need to take into consideration the following:

• Fuel costs
• Insurance costs
• APK costs
• Maintenance costs
• Road tax
• Parking costs
• Roadside assistance costs

There are some websites that offer handy tools to calculate the car costs you will have to pay per month or per kilometre. This could help you budget accordingly.

Sell your car in the Netherlands

If you own a car and are leaving the Netherlands, selling it is a good way to recover a large part of your expenses. There are several different ways to sell your car in the Netherlands:

• Through a dealership
• List it on a website or online sales platform
• Create a listings ad in your local newspaper

To sell your car, you will need to make sure of the following:

• You are selling the car to someone who is 18+ years of age.
• The buyer lives in the Netherlands and is registered (BRP). If the buyer lives abroad, you will need to go to a RDW desk or inspection station together with the buyer to register the car for export.
• You have the complete registration certificate or the registration card with the registration code of the car. If you have lost either one, you should apply for a new registration certificate or code first.

After you have sold your car, make sure you receive a certificate of indemnification (vrijwaringsbewijs) from the buyer. This will prove that the car is no longer registered in your name.

Buying a car vs car leasing

If you really want to get a car but buying isn’t a viable option for you, you can also consider leasing a car. This is an arrangement where you get to drive a car (often a brand new vehicle) for a set period of time for a set monthly fee, without actually owning it. This can be a good option for expats who don’t plan on remaining in the Netherlands for a significant period of time.