Owning a car in the Netherlands

You can usually buy a reliable car from a car dealer. A car dealer is a business where you can buy new and/or used cars. You often get a warranty with the car. This means you can return it if there are any problems. Dealers also help with registering and insuring your car.

• If you buy a second-hand car from a garage with a quality mark (for example, from

  BOVAG
  ), you will have greater peace of mind. You will usually get a 12-month warranty, and these businesses are reliable. If you encounter any problems, you can get help.

• Buying a car from a private seller (an individual) is often cheaper, but it does come with risks. There is usually no warranty, and there may be problems with the car that you cannot spot straight away. That is why many people in the Netherlands have their car inspected by an expert before buying one from a private seller.

As well as the purchase price of the car, you should also take into account other costs, namely:

• Dutch tax on passenger cars and motorcycles ('Belasting op Personenauto’s en Motorrijwielen', BPM): The BPM is a tax that you pay once when buying or importing a car, motorbike or van. You pay this as soon as the vehicle is registered in the Netherlands.

• Motor vehicle tax (MRB) or road tax: You pay this monthly or quarterly. Road tax in the Netherlands depends on various factors, such as the weight of the car, the type of fuel,

  CO₂ emissions
  and the province where you live. Rates increase every year on 1 January. Heavier cars and cars running on diesel or LPG are more expensive. Would you like to know exactly how much you need to pay? Then you can enter your registration number on the website of the Dutch tax authorities.

• Insurance: In the Netherlands, it is compulsory to take out car insurance.

  Third-party liability insurance ('Wettelijke aansprakelijkheidsverzekering', WA)
  is the minimum requirement. The average price for third-party car insurance in the Netherlands is between €34.50 and €37 per month. The price depends on where you live, your age, your driving experience (
  claim-free years
  ) and the type of car.

• Service and general periodic inspection ('Algemene Periodieke Keuring', APK): Cars must be serviced and inspected regularly. These are recurring costs that you need to take into account. In the Netherlands, the following two services are required:

The APK is a compulsory inspection. Your car is checked for safety and environmental compliance. No repairs are carried out, unless they are necessary for the car to pass the test. The cost of an APK inspection is usually between €20 and €80. The price depends on the type of car, the type of fuel and the garage.

Tip: During the APK, your car is inspected. If any issues are found, you will need to have them repaired, which will cost you money. So check your tyres, lights, windscreen wipers and fluids beforehand. That way, you can save money.

Servicing is not compulsory. The garage will check your car and replace items such as oil and filters. This ensures your car continues to run smoothly. Servicing costs vary. A minor service usually costs between €100 and €250. A major service is more expensive and often costs between €200 and €700.

Tip: If you have your APK MOT test done at the same time as a service, you will save time and money.

Once you have bought a car, you must register it with the

If you buy a car from a private individual, you do this at a vehicle registration office, such as at a PostNL Point

Once you have registered, you will receive a

You need these documents to register a car:

• A valid foreign identity document

• An

  extract
  from the
  Dutch population register (BRP)
  showing your
  citizen service number (BSN)
  . You can request this extract from the local municipality. The extract must not be more than 3 months old.

When you buy a car, you should always take it for a test drive to make sure it drives well. You should also check that all the paperwork is in order, such as the service history, the APK certificate and the vehicle registration certificate.