German paperwork is thorough, and once you know what each document is for, it's straightforward. Here's what you'll have, and exactly what we need from you to buy your car.
Teil II
The Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II, still widely called the Fahrzeugbrief, is the document that stays with the car for life and records it and its registered keepers. It is usually kept at home, not in the car, and when a car is sold it must be handed to the buyer. A German car without its Teil II is very hard to sell or register anywhere, so please check you have it before you ask for a valuation.
Teil I
The Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I, or Fahrzeugschein, is the smaller document carried in the car. It shows the registration number, the keeper and the technical details, including the VIN (field E). If the car has been taken off the register, the Teil I is usually marked to show that, which is also useful to us.
HU
The Hauptuntersuchung (HU), often just called the TÜV, is Germany's equivalent of the MOT: first due after three years and then every two years, with the next due date shown by the round sticker on the rear plate. If you have the latest HU report, send us a photo. An expired HU doesn't stop us buying the car.
Abmeldung
A car on German plates stays registered, insured and taxed in Germany until it is taken off the register (Abmeldung or Außerbetriebsetzung) at the local Zulassungsstelle. Some cars come to the UK already de-registered, on temporary export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen, with a red date field) or short-term plates. Whichever applies to yours, tell us and we'll explain what we need.
Kaufvertrag
German private sales are usually recorded with a written Kaufvertrag. When you sell to us, you get a clear written record of the sale and the price paid, so you have everything you need for your own records and for the German authorities if they ask.
UK side
To go on UK plates, a car brought in from Germany needs a NOVA notification to HMRC, an MOT and a DVLA registration application. When you sell to us you don't need to do any of that: we buy the car on its German plates and take care of the UK registration ourselves.
This page is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. German procedures vary between local registration offices: we'll always tell you exactly what applies to your car.
Since 2005 the old Fahrzeugbrief has been called Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II and the Fahrzeugschein is Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I. Older cars may still come with the earlier-style documents, which are fine too.
No, but it matters for insurance and tax in Germany. Tell us and we'll explain how the de-registration fits in with the sale.
Yes. Ausfuhrkennzeichen show an expiry date, so tell us when they run out and we will plan around it.
No. We buy cars with or without a current HU. If you have the latest report, it helps us price the car accurately.
Usually not. If it is registered in the UK, the V5C is what matters, and the German documents are a useful part of the history.