Buying a car in Germany: the paperwork that matters
In short
When buying a car in Germany the outcome is decided by the paperwork, not the price. Before paying, ask for registration certificate part II — the former Fahrzeugbrief — without which the vehicle cannot be registered in your name (§ 6(3) FZV); for a new vehicle, additionally the certificate of conformity (CoC) or type approval (§ 6(4) FZV); and evidence of the last roadworthiness test, due for passenger cars at 36 months and every 24 months thereafter (Anlage VIII StVZO). To then move the vehicle there are exactly three lawful routes: a five-day Kurzzeitkennzeichen (§ 42 FZV), an Ausfuhrkennzeichen if the car leaves Germany for good (§ 45 FZV), or an ordinary registration in your name.
What to see before you pay
A vehicle without the right papers is not cheaper — it is unsellable and cannot be registered. The documents below decide whether the purchase can become a registration.
| Document | What it is for | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Registration certificate part II | No registration without it. The decisive document of the sale. | § 6(3) FZV |
| Certificate of conformity (CoC) | For a first registration. Replaceable by type or individual approval. | § 6(4) FZV |
| Roadworthiness certificate | Tells you what falls due in the coming months. | Anlage VIII StVZO |
| Customs clearance | Only for imports from outside the EU. | § 6(7) FZV |
How you drive the vehicle away
Once the sale is done a very practical question arises: which plate do you drive away on? The seller's plate belongs to them, not to the car — it does not travel with it.
There are exactly three lawful routes, and the choice depends on where the vehicle is going. If it stays in Germany, there is no alternative to an ordinary registration in your name. For the transfer itself a Kurzzeitkennzeichen or an Ausfuhrkennzeichen come into play — we cover their differences and pitfalls in detail under temporary German plates.
What comes right after the purchase
- 1Take out insuranceThe keeper of a vehicle must maintain liability insurance (§ 1 PflVG). You receive an eVB number, which the insurer transmits electronically to the registration authority (§ 49 FZV).
- 2Direct debit authorisation for the Kfz-SteuerNo registration without a written authorisation (§ 13(1) KraftStG). The statute expressly allows a third party's account.
- 3Appointment at the competent authorityWhich authority is competent depends on your residence or the vehicle's regular location (§ 75(2) FZV). Settle it beforehand, not at the counter.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a German car and drive home on the seller's plates?
No. The plate belongs to the seller's registration, and the insurance follows that registration — not you. Use a Kurzzeitkennzeichen, an Ausfuhrkennzeichen, or have the vehicle transported.
Which matters more: part I or part II?
For the purchase, part II: § 6(3) FZV requires it to be submitted with the application. Part I travels with the vehicle in use; part II evidences who may dispose of it.
Do I need to know where I will register before buying?
It helps a great deal. Competence depends on your residence or the vehicle's regular location (§ 75(2) FZV) — and that determines which documents you need, in what order. Settling this before buying avoids most nasty surprises.