Things to consider when buying a SH car

Blogs News 16.05.22

Things to consider when buying a second hand car in The Netherlands

Buying a car from abroad is already quite risky, especially when you don't know what you're doing. But if you want to import second-hand cars from the Netherlands, you'll need to be informed about both the legal details there and in Romania. Unfortunately, you'll have quite a lot to do, including registration. You've probably started working in the Netherlands or you're one of those who want to work there. DB Work can help you find solutions for a suitable job, of course, where transportation and accommodation will be provided.

And if you're planning to buy a car, here's what you should know:

What you need to know before buying second-hand cars from the Netherlands

If you're not well-informed about the car model you want to buy or you've never done something like this before, the first piece of advice we can give you is to never go alone to buy second-hand cars from the Netherlands. There are so many possibilities to be deceived that a beginner would be the easiest target for a car seller. But as general information, here's what you need to pay attention to:

  • Interior - Exterior - You need to start somewhere with checking the car. And since the exterior and interior of the car are the quickest to access, it would be advisable to start with them to rule them out. On the exterior, you should look for rust marks, paint marks, signs of impacts or repairs, and even marks where the color seems slightly different or faded. Inside, you should check the seats, dashboard, steering wheel, all electrical controls, gearshift, pedals, and other signs of wear.
  • Checking the car's history - Thanks to technology and new methods of car checking, you can even verify the entire history of the car, including whether it has ever been involved in a serious accident. A quite useful platform is carvertical.ro.
  • Serial numbers - The engine and chassis serial numbers must match those recorded in the registration certificate and car book. Before buying the car, you should be very careful that these numbers are not different.
  • The engine - If you're knowledgeable, this aspect will especially interest you, and you'll probably conduct a thorough check. But if you lack mechanical knowledge, you'll need to seek the help of a specialist to inspect the most important engine components.

 

Reliable companies from which you can buy second-hand cars from the Netherlands

As many secure online platforms and websites exist, there are just as many people who can sell you a car in need of very costly repairs. The advice we can give you is to seek help for each step you want to take, and if you find a car you want to buy, pay close attention to the conditions and framework in which the car is being sold. Dangers lurk everywhere. If you want security, try to buy a car from an authorized dealer who also offers a warranty.

If you want to buy second-hand cars from the Netherlands, we recommend polisa.nl for all details related to the car insurance you're purchasing. Two other online platforms you can use to identify second-hand cars from the Netherlands are ooyyo.com or adesa.eu.

The process of registering second-hand cars from the Netherlands

Registering cars imported from the Netherlands has undergone many changes over time. If you knew that cars from the Netherlands had a registration certificate, this changed in 2014 when the certificate was replaced with a chip card. So, be very careful about the documents you receive when purchasing the car.

The necessary documents for registering a second-hand car from the Netherlands are the car book, the registration certificate, and the sales contract.

The car book is not in any language other than Dutch, and it must contain the owner's name. The document is in a light green color. As mentioned earlier, the registration certificate is the size of a bank card, it's green, and it contains all the important information about the car, the engine and chassis serial numbers. When making the sales contract, you must also receive an invoice.

Steps for registration

 

  • Go to the RAR (Romanian Auto Registry) as this is mandatory for any car purchased from abroad. You will need a folder containing the car book, the registration certificate, a request for registration in the Romanian Auto Registry, and a copy of your ID.
  • Register the car for taxes and fees. Here, you will need a larger folder containing the following documents: the car book, the Dutch registration document, the car book received from RAR, the sales contract, the translation of the contract or invoice in 3 copies, a copy of your ID, the translation of the Dutch book.
  • The VAT certificate from ANAF (National Agency for Fiscal Administration) will be necessary if the car was purchased directly from the Netherlands or was purchased by a company that pays VAT. In this case, you will need to go to ANAF with the following documents: the Dutch car book, the car book from RAR, the registration document, the sales contract, the contract translation, a form for declaring the number of kilometers, a copy of your ID, a copy of the registration certificate.
  • Registration is the final step, and for the registration folder, you'll need to include all the documents mentioned above + the license plates that the car had when it entered the country.

 

Conclusion

Buying second-hand cars from the Netherlands or any other country isn't very difficult. But the danger of being deceived is extremely high. You need to know what you're doing, and if you buy the right car, the rest of the process is straightforward.

 

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