Can you sell a used vehicle without a roadworthiness test?

Verified 18 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The rules are different for category M1 (car , motorhome of up to 3,5 t) and N1 (van) on the one hand, and for the L-category vehicles (2, 3 motor wheels, motor quadricycles) on the other hand.

Car, van, camper of 3,5 t maximum

The rules differ depending on the age of the vehicle.

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4 years or more

If you sell one car (VP) or a van more than 4 years old, a roadworthiness test must be carried out.

You must hand over to future owner the proof of roadworthiness.

Indeed, the proof control is indispensable to the buyer for register the vehicle.

You are not required to carry out a technical inspection in the 2 cases following:

  • The periodic inspection of the vehicle was made in the last 6 months carte grise before the date of application for the new registration certificate (rec)
  • You sell the vehicle to a garage or dealership

Less than 4 years

You can sell one car (VP) or a van of under 4 years without providing evidence of roadworthiness tests.

2, 3 motor wheels and motor quadricycle

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5 years or more

From April 15, 2024, if you sell one L-category vehicle (motorcycle, scooter...) by more than 5 years, one technical inspection must be done.

You must hand over to future owner the proof of roadworthiness.

Indeed, the proof of the control is indispensable to the buyer for register the vehicle.

You are not required to carry out a technical inspection in the 2 cases following:

  • The periodic inspection of the vehicle was made in the last 6 months before the date of application for the new registration certificate
  • You sell the vehicle to a garage or dealership

Less than 5 years

You can sell one L-category vehicle (motorcycle, scooter...) by under 5 years without providing evidence of roadworthiness tests.

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