Before selling his car, the owner must complete some administrative formalities in order for the transaction to be accepted. These formalities are used to inform the future buyer about the administrative situation of the vehicle as well as its general condition. What are the mandatory documents to provide? What should you do after selling your vehicle?
Mandatory documents to provide to the buyer of your car
The owner of the vehicle must indeed provide the buyer with a certain number of documents.
The non-pledge certificate
The non-pledge certificate is a declaration of administrative status. This document proves that a used car is in conformity with the sale. It thus assures the buyer that the vehicle is not subject to any pledge or opposition. The certificate of non-pledge is used to stop the procedures of gray card transfer and new registration, if the car has been reported stolen. A vehicle is forced by an opposition if it has been declared as seriously damaged or economically irreparable. The procedure for selling a vehicle can also be stopped when the loan granted to finance its purchase has not been repaid.
There are two types of non-pledge certificates. The simple non-pledge certificate is used to provide basic information, this document can be downloaded from the internet. The seller must therefore apply for a non-pledge certificate online to prove to his buyer that the car conforms to the sale. This certificate must be at least 15 days old to be valid.
When the vehicle for sale is blocked, the seller can request a detailed non-pledge certificate. This document, which you can obtain from the prefecture, provides more detailed information about the vehicle. If the vehicle is pledged, it indicates the name and contact details of the establishment holding the pledge. It also indicates the same information when the car is in an emergency situation.opposition by a creditor or an organization. The detailed non-pledge certificate highlights the sums to be reimbursed and provides solutions on the various steps to be taken for the oppositions or pledges to be lifted.
The transfer certificate
The transfer certificate is a document that indicates the change of ownership of a material asset. This document is available free online. When drawing up the sales contract, the former owner of the vehicle must therefore complete this form in duplicate. The transfer certificate must include the surname and first name of both parties as well as the full address of the buyer. If it is a legal person, it must also include the administrative information relating to the latter. Then, the certificate will have to be signed by the seller and the buyer of the automobile.
The registration certificate
The registration certificate is the identity card of the vehicle. The former owner of the car must cross it with two diagonal lines and specify the date and time of sale on this certificate. He must then sign it and give it to the new owner of the vehicle. If the gray card is in the format set up before 2004, the corner which bears the mention “part to be cut during the transfer of the vehicle” must be detached. The seller must then sign it and write on this part the contact details of the buyer as well as the date of sale of the automobile. In the event of a roadside check, this will serve as proof for the buyer, until he receives a new registration certificate.
The report of the technical control
The technical inspection is compulsory for vehicles that are 4 years old or more. To be valid when applying for a registration certificate, you must carry out the technical inspection of the car during the 6 months preceding the sale. The report must date from less than 2 months, if a counter-visit has been requested.
Optional documents to provide
Some optional documents to provide can also be useful when buying a car.
The book and the maintenance invoices
These documents reassure the buyer, because they trace the past of the vehicle. They are used to prove that your vehicle has been properly and regularly maintained. They also allow you to establish a relationship of trust in the exchange and enhance your car. Maintenance invoices often contain the date of intervention, the mileage of the automobile at the time of the intervention and information on its registration certificate.
The user manual
The user’s manual is a document which enables the driver of a vehicle to find solutions to simple technical problems. It is a user’s guide that allows you to learn about the operation of the vehicle accessories. Certain commands can, in fact, sometimes be difficult for the new owner of the vehicle. This document will therefore enable him to understand his various functions and to drive the car easily.
What should you do after selling your car?
After the sale of your car, you must inform the administration on the teleservice of the National Agency for Secure Documents (ANTS), within 15 days. Indeed, it is no longer possible to file or send a declaration of transfer to the prefecture. You must indicate the name and address of the new car owner. It is important to attach one of the two copies of the transfer certificate. You must also notify your insurer by registered letter accompanied by the certificate of transfer of the vehicle.
What are the documents to provide as a buyer?
After purchasing the vehicle, the buyer has a maximum period of one month to register it and obtain its final registration certificate. After this period, the latter incurs a fine for a 4th class fine of €135. The request for a gray card is made online on the website of theNational Agency for Secure Documents. It can also be done at one of the approved centres. Your registration file must include the old gray card crossed out and signed with the appropriate information.
If the vehicle is more than 4 years old, it must also be accompanied by the report of the technical inspection. You must attach to these papers the transfer code sent to the former owner, an identity document and proof of address less than 6 months old. The insurance certificate of vehicle to be registered and your driving license should also be on file. The establishment of a new registration certificate is a paying process. You will therefore have to pay by credit card when you make a request on the ANTS website.