What do you need?
- Registration card and full registration code
- Latest APK report, service booklet and invoices
- All keys and the owner's manual
- RDW vehicle report (free to request with DigiD)
- Vacuum cleaner, bucket, microfibre cloths and glass cleaner
- A smartphone with a good camera
- A notepad or app for your list of defects
What does it cost?
No fixed costs
Total time: 4 hours
Step 1: Value the car first
Start by valuing your car from its plate and mileage, and compare similar used cars for sale. Price guides assume a car in good condition, so deduct for damage and faults. Choose a realistic asking price with some room to negotiate. Unsure whether to trade in, auction or sell privately? Compare what you keep with the net proceeds calculator.
Step 2: Gather the papers
You cannot sell without the registration card and the full registration code; if anything is missing, see lost registration code. Also gather the latest APK report, service booklet, invoices and all keys. Request a free RDW vehicle report with DigiD. It shows the APK history, number of owners, open recalls and the tellerstandoordeel (odometer verdict, see tellerstandoordeel). Buyers often ask for it.
Step 3: Fix small things, skip big repairs
Fix what is cheap and noticeable: a blown bulb, worn wiper blades, low fluids, correct tyre pressure, a missing cap. Major repairs or dent work rarely pay back in the sale price. Leave those, reflect them in the price and be upfront about them. Repairing a technical fault only pays if the repair costs less than the value it adds.
Step 4: Decide on the APK
If the APK, the annual roadworthiness test, expires soon, decide deliberately. According to the ANWB it costs €19 to €70, sometimes more for a diesel, plus any repairs. A fresh APK reassures buyers and makes the car easier to sell. Expect costly repairs? Sell without a new APK and price that in. If a buyer asks for an APK before buying, put that agreement in writing.
Step 5: Clean the car thoroughly
Wash the outside, vacuum the seats and boot, clean the windows inside and wipe down the engine bay. Remove personal items, parking permits and toll badges, and unpair your phone from the infotainment system. A clean, fresh car sells faster. A professional valet costs roughly €50 to €250. Has someone smoked in the car, or did the dog ride along often? Just say so.
Step 6: Take 12 photos
Photograph the clean car in daylight against a calm background:
- front left, at an angle
- rear right, at an angle
- left side
- right side
- front
- rear
- whole dashboard
- instruments with the engine running
- front seats
- rear seats
- boot
- every bit of damage, close up
Use the listing score to see what your ad still lacks.
Step 7: Write an honest list of defects
Write down everything you know: damage, warning lights, noises, oil consumption and upcoming maintenance. As a private seller you may not conceal known defects; otherwise the buyer may later try to undo the sale. Put the list in your ad, drafted with the ad text generator, and copy it into the sale contract. Honesty saves arguments at the viewing.
Step 8: List the car or start an auction
Put your car up for sale by placing an ad or let buyers bid in an auction. Schedule viewings in daylight at a safe location. Always ride along on a test drive and have the prospective buyer sign a test-drive declaration first. Hand over the registration card and code only at the handover, never in advance as a photo.
Tips
- Shoot on an overcast day or in the morning to avoid harsh shadows and reflections.
- File service invoices by date in a folder. A documented history convinces buyers faster.
- Note what is included, such as winter tyres, a charging cable or a tow bar.
- Odometer verdict not logical? Find out what went wrong, such as a typo at a garage, and explain it honestly.
Frequently asked questions
Should I have my car valeted before selling?
No, it is not required, but it pays off. A clean, fresh car makes a better first impression and, according to the ANWB, sells faster. Doing it yourself mostly costs time. A professional valet costs roughly €50 to €250, which is worth it mainly if the interior has stains or smells you cannot remove yourself.
Should I get a new APK before selling?
No, it is not required. A fresh APK does make the car more attractive, and the test itself costs €19 to €70 according to the ANWB. The risk lies in the repairs it may turn up. If you expect high costs, sell without a new APK and reflect the expiry date in your asking price. Always state the APK date in your ad.
Which papers do I need to sell my car?
2 are required: the registration card and the full 9-digit registration code. With an old paper registration, those are the tenaamstellingsbewijs and overschrijvingsbewijs. Also give the buyer the latest APK report, the service booklet and all keys. A free RDW vehicle report showing the odometer verdict helps build trust.
Should I repair minor damage first?
Usually not. Small paint chips and dents often cost more to repair than they add to the sale price. Photograph them close up and mention them in your ad so buyers are not surprised. Do fix what is cheap and easy to spot, such as a blown bulb or worn wiper blades.
Sources
Useful tools
More guides
- For buyers and sellersTransfer car ownership in the Netherlands (2026)20 minutes · 7 steps
- For buyers and sellersWrite a safe car sale contract30 minutes · 8 steps
- For sellersLost your registration code? How to get a new one10 minutes · 7 steps
- For buyers and sellersArrange insurance and road tax after buying or selling a car30 minutes · 8 steps