How to buy a used car in Denmark — a 10-step checklist
From the first search to the bill of sale: everything to check before you pay for a used car.
1. Set a budget — including what comes after
The price of the car is only the start. Add green ownership tax, insurance, servicing, tyres and any loan on top. A rule of thumb: set aside 10–15% of the purchase price for unexpected repairs in the first year, especially on cars over 8 years old.
2. Look the car up in the Danish vehicle register
Use Licence plate check on BilPorten (or motorregister.dk) and compare it with the listing: year, engine, last inspection and any remarks. If it doesn't match, ask — or walk away.
3. Look at the service history
Ask for the service book or digital service receipts. Gaps in the history are not necessarily a problem, but the price should reflect them. Pay particular attention to the cam belt or chain, oil changes and gearbox oil on automatics.
4. Take a test drive — on the open road and in town
Listen for knocks from the suspension, feel whether the car pulls to one side under braking, and check that the gear changes are smooth. Test every feature: climate control, windows, seats, parking sensors and infotainment.
5. Look for rust and hidden damage
Open every door and look at the edges, the wheel arches and under the sills. Uneven gaps between body panels, or a difference in colour, can mean earlier damage. Always ask to see the car in daylight.
6. Get an independent inspection
An inspection at FDM or an independent garage typically costs DKK 1,000–2,000 and can save you far more. Serious sellers have no objection to it.
7. Check whether there is debt on the car
Look the car up in the Danish vehicle charges register (tinglysning.dk) by its VIN. If there is a charge on the car, the seller must clear it before you pay — otherwise the car still stands as security for the debt.
8. Negotiate from facts
Compare it with similar cars on BilPorten — we show price history and the original list price, so you can see whether the car has been reduced. A concrete argument (worn tyres, a service due) works better than "can't you come down a bit".
9. Put the sale in writing
Write down the price, the VIN, the mileage, the date and anything you have agreed (for example "the seller repairs the stone chip before handover"). Both parties sign. There is a template under Help.
10. Re-register straight away
The car is re-registered in the Danish vehicle register with MitID — it takes a few minutes. Take out insurance from the handover date before you drive home. Never pay in advance, and use a bank transfer rather than cash.