How to sell your car

Your family is growing, you’re head over heels for a new model, or you’ve simply found a good deal – there are a whole host of reasons why you might want to sell your car. But it isn’t as simple as finding a buyer. There are also a number of administrative procedures you will need to follow. myLIFE gives you a rundown of what needs to be done and the different options you might consider to sell your car.*/**

Selling your vehicle as a private individual

Any private individual who wants to sell a vehicle registered in Luxembourg must comply with the relevant regulations in force. The government body responsible for vehicle sales and registration in Luxembourg is the SNCA, or Société nationale de circulation automobile.

First of all, it is imperative that you draw up a bill of sale (sales contract). The vehicle itself and the current and future owners/titleholder must be clearly identified. A model sales contract is proposed on the website of the Automobile Club of Luxembourg (ACL). You will need to attach a copy of both the seller and the buyer’s ID. While it is always wise for you to keep a copy of any documentation, the buyer must hold the original bill of sale in order to be able to register the car, so be sure to hand it over to them when the car is sold.

Once sold, you must inform the SNCA within 5 working days and proceed to deregister your vehicle. To do this, you need to send the SNCA (by registered mail, via MyGuichet.lu or directly in person) several documents: completed and signed deregistration form, parts 1 and 2 of the certificate for definitive deregistration, identification of the owner/holder of the vehicle, etc.

When the vehicle is deregistered, it can no longer be driven until it is registered again. The license plates must also be removed (the number assigned does not follow the vehicle, but the former holder of the registration certificate).

Finally, notify your insurance company of the sale in order to update your coverage. You can provide them with the acknowledgment of receipt that was issued following the deregistration of your vehicle. You may also, under certain conditions, benefit from a refund from the Customs and Excise Agency for the road vehicle tax paid in excess.

Selling your vehicle as self-employed persons or company representatives

If you are self-employed or the manager of a company and want to sell a company car, (i.e. a car in your vehicle fleet used for business purposes), the procedure is quite similar. It will be necessary to issue a sales invoice in the name of the company indicating the intra-community VAT number. If the vehicle is exempt from VAT or customs duties, official proof of its legal status must also be produced. You will need to draw up a sales invoice in the name of the company and the buyer. To be valid, it must contain all of the relevant vehicle and buyer details. If you are selling the vehicle to another company, you will need to include all of the details of the legal entity (VAT number, RCS extract, etc.).

The procedure is different depending on whether the vehicle will remain in Luxembourg or not.

Selling your vehicle to a non-resident

The formalities to be observed are different if the vehicle is intended to leave Luxembourg territory.

In this case, in addition to the steps described above, you must request an export certificate from the SNCA (document fee: 19.80€) and provide it to the new owner. This will allow him to register the vehicle in his country of residence. The non-resident buyer can also obtain this certificate themselves if the vehicle has been taken out of circulation by the owner.

Note: the export certificate is not valid for use and circulation on public roads. It is therefore advisable to transfer the vehicle to its destination before proceeding with the deregistration. If the buyer needs to move their new vehicle by road to their country of residence, they must apply for export plates.

Where to sell your car

After all of this, you still need to find a buyer. But before you start searching, let’s have a look at some of the different ways you can sell your car.

• • A dealership or a garage will generally buy your used car at an attractive price. You will probably get an even better offer if you trade it in for a new car from the same dealership. Even if the trade-in price is likely to be less attractive than selling to a private individual, you save yourself from having to go through procedures that are not always enjoyable.
  • Although the practice is not as common in Luxembourg as in neighbouring countries, some garages or repair shops will sell your car on consignment in exchange for a commission. Generally, this service will also include all of the paperwork.
  • Used car websites are also a good way of selling your vehicle. Remember to wash your vehicle (inside and out), put up some nice photos and include all the necessary information in the description (model, age, mileage, equipment, features, etc.) to increase your chances of being contacted. Two of the main websites for this are www.luxauto.lu and www.autoscout24.lu.

Of course, it’s even easier if you already know someone who wants to buy your car. You can get the word of mouth going, but just make sure that you do everything by the book to avoid disagreements if problems arise later on.

How much to charge

Now, you are probably wondering what price you can reasonably expect to get for your car. That obviously depends on the mileage, its overall condition, options and any repairs that may be needed. Start by comparing the prices of car ads for similar vehicles and find out the value of your car. You can particularly visit the French site of L’Argus, recognized by individuals and professionals as a reference for used vehicles in France: www.largus.fr. The only downside is that a payment of a few euros is required to obtain a personalized Argus value for your vehicle. Be careful, the prices indicated are indicative and do not always take into account non-standard options or specific minor defects of your vehicle, which may affect its value.

Although their prices are generally reliable, estimates aren’t authoritative. As you probably know, prices on the used car market are negotiable. However you choose to sell your car and negotiate the price, make sure you’ve left it in the best possible condition. Not only will you be able to clinch a deal faster, but the higher sale price you can charge will offset the cost of any maintenance or repairs.

* The following information applies for all vehicles registered in Luxembourg, whether or not the owner is a resident of the country.

** Content translated from French by the BIL GPT AI tool.