What KentekenKompas can show
Available public vehicle data, APK context, registration fields, technical data, recall context and buying questions.
Dutch car check for expats and international buyers
KentekenKompas helps international buyers understand Dutch public vehicle data, APK context, road tax factors and used-car buying risks. It is not an official RDW service and does not show owner data, full damage history or an official valuation.
English help for Dutch car data
Learn what RDW, APK, kenteken, road tax and Dutch registration terms mean before you buy.
Dutch plate dataUsed-car buying stepsClear data limits
Start here
English mini-flow routes
Use these compact English pages for the core Dutch vehicle check, comparison and buying tasks.
License plate
Dutch license plate check
A Dutch license plate check uses the kenteken to show available public vehicle data, such as make, model, fuel, mass, APK context and registration details. Use the Dutch license plate tool to enter a plate; this English page explains what the result means.
Open routeCompare
Compare Dutch used cars
To compare two used cars in the Netherlands, check both license plates and compare APK expiry, fuel type, mass, registration context, practical use, documents and likely running costs. Use the Dutch comparison tool when you are ready to enter two plates.
Open routeCar report
Car report in the Netherlands
A Dutch car report helps you read public vehicle data, APK context, registration details and technical fields. It is useful preparation, but it is not a complete history report or mechanical inspection.
Open routeRDW context
RDW vehicle check in the Netherlands
An RDW vehicle check is about Dutch vehicle registration context. KentekenKompas explains public RDW-related data in plain English, but it is not an official RDW website or government service.
Open routeAPK
APK check in the Netherlands
APK is the Dutch periodic roadworthiness inspection. It tells you whether a car met legal inspection requirements at a certain moment, but it is not a full maintenance record or purchase inspection.
Open routeRoad tax
Road tax in the Netherlands
Dutch road tax, often called motorrijtuigenbelasting or MRB, depends on factors such as vehicle mass, fuel type, province and vehicle type. KentekenKompas helps you understand the input, not an official final amount.
Open routeUsed car buying
Buying a used car in the Netherlands
When buying a used car in the Netherlands, start with the license plate, then check documents, APK expiry, mileage evidence, maintenance records, road tax factors, insurance and the test drive.
Open routeImport
Imported car in the Netherlands
An imported car is not automatically bad, but it needs extra document checks. Compare the first admission date with the first admission in the Netherlands and ask for foreign history, invoices and mileage evidence.
Open routeChecklist
Used car checklist for the Netherlands
A compact used-car checklist in the Netherlands combines a license plate check, document control, APK expiry, mileage evidence, maintenance invoices, test drive, road tax factors and clear seller questions.
Open routeBoundaries
What this English flow does and does not cover
KentekenKompas remains a Dutch site. The English flow focuses only on core vehicle checks and buying guidance.
What KentekenKompas does not show
No owner data, no full damage history, no official stolen-vehicle status, no official valuation and no complete mileage history.
How expats should use it
Use the report to prepare questions, then verify documents, mileage evidence, maintenance records and physical condition.
Where Dutch terms are explained
The English guides explain RDW, APK, kenteken, road tax, import signals, registration and car-report limits.
Ready to check a Dutch car?
Start with the English plate check, then use the buying guides and checklists to ask better seller questions.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers for expats and international used-car buyers in the Netherlands.
Can I check a Dutch car in English?
Yes. Use the English Dutch license plate check and the English guides to understand RDW data, APK context, road tax factors and buying questions.
Is KentekenKompas an official RDW service?
No. KentekenKompas is not an official RDW service. It explains public vehicle data and links to Dutch tools and official sources where needed.
Can I see owner details or full damage history?
No. KentekenKompas does not show owner data, private registration history, stolen status or full damage history.
What should expats check before buying a used car?
Check the license plate, APK expiry, seller documents, mileage evidence, maintenance invoices, road tax factors, insurance, test drive results and whether the advert matches public data.