What documents do you need when selling your vehicle?
Do you want to sell your vehicle to a domestic or foreign private individual or are you visiting a vehicle dealer? To ensure everything runs smoothly, it is important that you have the correct paperwork at hand. It shouldn’t be too complicated. Find out which documents you need here.
Selling your vehicle in Belgium
1. Inspection certificate or green card
A used-vehicle inspection must be carried out before you sell the vehicle. If the vehicle passes the test, you will receive the inspection certificate you are required to give to the buyer. The certificate allows the buyer to see when the last technical vehicle inspection took place and whether there are any comments. The inspection certificate is not required when selling to a vehicle dealer.
2. Car-Pass
In addition to the inspection certificate, you will also receive the Car-Pass after the vehicle inspection. This shows whether the last odometer actually corresponds to the value displayed on the dashboard. It also includes the maintenance history, Euro standard, CO2 emissions and other useful information.
If you sell your vehicle to a private individual, you must hand the Car-Pass over to the buyer. Without the Car-Pass, which is only valid for two months, the sale is invalid and the buyer can ask for their money back later. Therefore, make sure the buyer signs for receipt. However, this is not required if you are selling to a professional vehicle dealer
3. Registration certificate or vehicle registration certificate
During the used vehicle inspection you will also receive a document entitled “application for vehicle registration”. The buyer needs this document to register the vehicle in their name and with their licence plate. This document is also only valid for two months.
4. Certificate of Conformity (COC)
This is an official document confirming that a vehicle complies with all European technical and legal regulations. You will receive this from the vehicle manufacturer and must hand it over to the buyer as it is a mandatory on-board document. It contains important information about the vehicle (such as the chassis number (VIN), type, engine and emission category) and is essential for registering a vehicle.
5. Sales Agreement
This is a simple written contract that you draw up in duplicate and have signed by both parties. It is a written agreement that sets out the terms of sale, the price and the identity details of the buyer and seller. Don’t forget to include the Car-Pass number in the agreement.
Selling a vehicle to a foreign private individual
If you want to sell your used vehicle to a foreign private individual, you must also submit the above-mentioned documents, except for the inspection certificate. After all, different rules apply abroad. You must also hand over the Car-Pass, and because you can only obtain this document upon vehicle inspection, you will be required to take the vehicle to an inspection centre. You do not need to make an appointment for this: you can simply approach the employee at the counter.
In summary, to make a sale to a foreign private individual, you must submit the following documents:
- Car-Pass
- Registration certificate (2 panels)
- Certificate of Conformity
- Sales Agreement
Selling to a dealer?
If you sell the vehicle to a dealer or garage, you do not need a used inspection certificate nor to hand over a Car-Pass. A sales agreement must be drawn up. After payment, you must hand the on-board documents over to the buyer, namely:
- Registration certificate (2 panels)
- Certificate of Conformity
- Latest inspection certificate
