In this guide
💡 New to driving in the Netherlands? Read Driving in the Netherlands as an expat 2026 — covers licence exchange, insurance basics, and parking rules.
Why the Dutch second-hand car market is different
APK is the Dutch periodic vehicle inspection. Check the APK status of any car you consider.
Two things shape every used car decision here:
APK schedule: according to the RDW, a petrol car gets its first APK at 4 years, then twice every 2 years, then every year; a diesel car gets its first APK at 3 years and then every year (rdw.nl, checked 30 October 2026).
Road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting): check the road tax for the specific car before buying, using the Belastingdienst’s calculation tool.
Which Dutch second-hand car platforms should expats use in 2026?
The main Dutch used-car platforms are Gaspedaal (a search engine across many car sites), AutoTrack (dealer listings only), Marktplaats (private sellers and dealers) and AutoScout24 (European listings). Each is described below from its own site and from what a buyer needs to check. Bynco, which AutoTrack ran as EasyBuy, has been discontinued (bynco.com, checked 6 October 2026).
1. Gaspedaal — best for searching
Gaspedaal is not a marketplace. It describes itself as a search engine that shows the Dutch car offer from the important Dutch car websites, with duplicate ads removed, and it lists 320,000 cars in the Netherlands and 420,000 in the EU (gaspedaal.nl, “Over Gaspedaal”, page dated 14 May 2026, checked 30 October 2026). Since 2025 it has been part of the AutoScout24 group, which also owns AutoTrack.
The interface is in Dutch; a browser translation tool can help with the filters. Because Gaspedaal searches across sites, you do not need to know which platform a car is listed on.
2. AutoTrack — best for dealer cars
AutoTrack only accepts listings from car dealers: private individuals cannot advertise there (autotrack.nl, “Over AutoTrack”, checked 30 October 2026). It says it has existed since 2000, tells dealers it reaches 1.6 million unique visitors a month, and is part of AutoScout24 Nederland B.V. (autotrack.nl, “Over AutoTrack”, checked 30 October 2026). Because every seller is a business, the statutory warranty applies and you have a company to go back to if a fault appears.
If this is your first Dutch car, AutoTrack is the lower-risk starting point because every seller there is a business.
3. Marktplaats — private sellers and dealers side by side
Marktplaats is the Dutch general classifieds site, and cars are one of its categories. Dealers advertise there (the listings name the Autobedrijf), so check in each listing who the seller is.
What should you watch when buying a car on Marktplaats?
Because the seller type differs per listing, an RDW check, an inspection and paying only once the transfer is arranged matter more there. The RDW tells buyers to check the vehicle with the RDW-kentekencheck and to check the mileage (rdw.nl, checked 30 October 2026).
4. AutoScout24 — pan-European, useful for imports
AutoScout24 calls itself a European online car platform; its site offers country versions including the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium (autoscout24.nl, checked 30 October 2026). If you are open to importing, work out the BPM first, and see importing your car into the Netherlands.
How to actually inspect a used car in the Netherlands
Whichever platform you use, the inspection matters more than the listing price. Use this checklist at every viewing.
Before you go:
- Run the licence plate through the RDW kentekencheck and compare the registered details with the car and the papers. If it says “Tenaamstelling mogelijk? Nee”, the car cannot be transferred, for example because it is registered as stolen or exported (rdw.nl)
- Check the mileage: the RDW records the mileage of passenger cars, light vans and motorcycles, and you can download an RDW vehicle report. Rolling back the odometer has been illegal since 2014 (rdw.nl)
- Ask for the maintenance history
At the viewing:
- Take an extensive test drive. ANWB says buyers have a duty to investigate and recommends offering the car for an inspection (aankoopkeuring), especially with a private seller (anwb.nl)
Before paying:
- Ask for the tenaamstellingscode (transfer code); you need it to put the car in your name
- Confirm the seller is the registered owner (or has authorisation to sell)
You can have an independent inspection service do a pre-purchase inspection (aankoopkeuring) before you pay. Ask for the price up front.
Insurance: arrange this before you collect the car
If the registration number of a car is in your name, you must take out WA (third-party liability) insurance under the Wam (rijksoverheid.nl, checked 30 October 2026), so arrange a policy that starts on the transfer date, before you drive away. Our car insurance guide for expats explains the cover types and costs in more detail.
Get a car insurance quote from Univé
Two things to know:
Cover types: Dutch car insurance is typically offered as WA (third-party liability), WA beperkt casco (adds theft, fire and glass) and WA casco (allrisk), as on UnitedConsumers’ car insurance page (unitedconsumers.com, checked 30 October 2026). Choose based on the value of the car.
No-claims record from abroad: ask the insurer you are considering, for example Univé, what proof it needs for no-claim years built up abroad.
Paying for the car
Arrange the transfer before you pay. The seller must provide the registration card and the full transfer code (tenaamstellingscode); the RDW charges EUR 13.10 for the transfer into your name, the same at a registration counter, and you pay online with iDEAL or Wero (rdw.nl, checked 30 October 2026). Do not hand over the full amount before the paperwork is in order. Paying by bank transfer from a Dutch or other EU account leaves a record; if you do not have a Dutch account yet, bunq is one that can be opened in an app (see our bank account guide for the alternatives).
Stolen and cloned cars
Stolen or cloned vehicles: the RDW warns buyers to avoid stolen, cloned or re-plated vehicles. Check the registered details on the RDW website against the car and the registration document, and walk away if they do not match.
Compare the RDW details with what the seller tells you.
Do you actually need to buy a car?
If you are not sure you need a car, compare car sharing with a full ownership budget before committing. Availability and price depend on location and usage.
For commuters, the Dutch trains guide for expats covers the OV-chipkaart, NS season tickets, and discount subscriptions.
In a Dutch city, a bike and the train may cover many of your trips. If you rely on a bike, check whether your contents insurance covers it against theft; a standalone policy such as UnivĂ©’s bike insurance is an alternative. Read the lock requirement and the excess before you sign.
Final recommendation for expat car buyers
If you are buying your first Dutch car and want minimum risk: buy from a dealer (AutoTrack lists dealer cars only), pay by bank transfer once the transfer into your name is arranged, and arrange insurance before collection. A dealer is a business, so the statutory warranty applies and you have someone to go back to.
Experienced buyers can use a listing aggregator to search, a marketplace or dealer to negotiate and an independent inspection to verify the car.
If you live in a city and are not sure you need a car, try car sharing first to see how much you would actually use a car.
If a deal feels off, walk away. Inspect thoroughly, and insure before you collect.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Platform descriptions checked on the platforms’ own sites on 30 October 2026 (Bynco: 6 October 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
Marktplaats vs AutoTrack: which is better for expats?
They suit different buyers. AutoTrack only accepts listings from car dealers, so every car there comes from a business, which gives you consumer rights and a company to go back to. Marktplaats mixes private sellers with dealers, so you have to check in each listing who the seller is. A practical route is to search on an aggregator such as Gaspedaal first and then deal with whichever seller has the car.
Is Gaspedaal more complete than Marktplaats?
Gaspedaal is a search engine rather than a marketplace. It says it finds the cars from the important Dutch car websites and removes duplicate ads (gaspedaal.nl, "Over Gaspedaal", checked 30 October 2026). It does not state whether private Marktplaats listings are included, so search Marktplaats separately if you are open to private sellers.
Should I search on Gaspedaal or on Marktplaats for a used car?
Use both for different jobs. Gaspedaal shows the offer from many Dutch car sites in one search. Marktplaats is a separate classifieds site with its own listings, so search it as well if you are open to what it offers.
What do I need to put a used car in my name in the Netherlands?
Transferring the car into your name is done with the RDW. The seller must provide the registration card (kentekenbewijs) and the full transfer code (tenaamstellingscode). Check the RDW's current instructions for the transfer options, the fee and what ID you need before you buy (rdw.nl).
Should I buy from a private seller or a dealer?
Buying from a dealer gives you the statutory warranty: there is no fixed warranty period in the Netherlands, but you are entitled to a product that is in order, and if something is wrong within 12 months of purchase the seller must prove it is your fault (Rijksoverheid, checked 30 October 2026). ANWB adds that the buyer has a duty to investigate, which weighs heavier with a private seller because a private seller is less of an expert, so have the car inspected before you buy (anwb.nl, checked 30 October 2026).
Can I import a car from Germany or Belgium?
Often yes. A car imported into the Netherlands can be subject to BPM (Dutch vehicle tax), so check with the Belastingdienst whether it applies to your car. Compare the full import cost, including BPM and registration, against the Dutch listing price before deciding. The RDW advises you to check whether the mileage is logical, for example with maintenance invoices.
What documents do I need on collection day?
Bring a valid ID. After the transfer into your name you must have a WA insurance (Rijksoverheid), so arrange it in time. The seller hands over the registration card and the transfer code (tenaamstellingscode); the RDW sends the other part of the code by post after an online transfer (rdw.nl, checked 30 October 2026).