Enter the license plate
Start with a Dutch license plate from an advert, vehicle or document. The input is normalised before the report is built.
Dutch license plate check for RDW vehicle data
Enter a Dutch license plate and get a readable Netherlands vehicle check based on public RDW Open Data. KentekenKompas explains Dutch registration data, APK inspection context, recalls, technical specifications and buying questions for expats, international buyers and English-speaking drivers in the Netherlands.
KentekenKompas uses public RDW Open Data from the Netherlands. The vehicle report is informative and does not replace a purchase inspection, Dutch APK inspection or garage check.
Check points
What can you check here?
The tool combines Dutch vehicle registration data, practical explanations and next steps. Missing data remains visible, so you do not draw conclusions from assumptions.
Make, model name, vehicle type and colour
Dutch APK inspection status and registration context
Fuel, mass, road tax context and technical specifications
Clear RDW Open Data source notes and missing-data limits
How it works
From Dutch plate to useful vehicle context
KentekenKompas makes public RDW data easier to read while staying clear about limits: no owner details, no complete damage history and no guarantee of current mechanical condition.
Fetch RDW data
We use available public datasets and show missing fields as unknown instead of filling gaps with guesses.
Read the vehicle report
Status cards, explanations and links help you decide what to check next before buying, driving or comparing.
Why KentekenKompas
A calmer report and clearer next question
KentekenKompas does not sell missing history as certainty. The value is in readable report cards, visual explanations, comparisons and concrete buying questions.
Readable vehicle report
Important fields are grouped into status cards so make, APK, technical data, mass, fuel and missing fields are easier to scan.
No false certainty
No owner details, complete damage history, market value or official mileage result are shown when that data is not technically available here.
Buying questions
The result turns data into questions for the seller, garage, dealer or test drive instead of only showing raw tables.
Clear and comparable
Links guide you to APK context, recalls, technical specifications, cost context and vehicle comparison when a next step makes sense.
How to read it
Use the result as preparation, not as final proof
Use the report before a viewing, test drive, maintenance conversation or comparison with another vehicle. A missing field is also information: it means the consulted public source does not reliably return that detail.
What is a Dutch license plate check?
A Dutch license plate check uses the registration number, or kenteken, to find public vehicle information. It helps you compare an advert with official registration data before you call a seller, book a viewing or ask a garage for advice.
What data can you find with a Dutch plate?
The vehicle report can show public RDW vehicle data such as make, commercial model name, vehicle type, colour, fuel, mass, body type, technical specifications, registration context and Dutch APK inspection status. Missing data stays visible instead of being filled with guesses.
Understand RDW vehicle dataHow RDW open vehicle data helps buyers
RDW is the Netherlands Vehicle Authority. Its public open vehicle datasets help buyers compare a seller's advert with registration records. KentekenKompas groups the data into cards, status labels and plain-English explanations.
Read the English RDW explanationWhat does APK mean?
APK is the Dutch periodic roadworthiness inspection, similar to an MOT. A valid APK is useful, but it is not a full mechanical guarantee. Always combine APK context with maintenance records, a test drive and an independent inspection when needed.
Learn how APK inspections workWhy expats should check a car before buying
Dutch used-car adverts often mention kenteken, APK, ready-to-drive mass and first registration date. Checking the plate first helps expats and international buyers understand the basics, spot mismatches and prepare better questions.
Buying a used car in the NetherlandsSource and limits
What this check can and cannot promise
The page helps English-speaking users understand Dutch vehicle data without suggesting that it is a complete inspection, official RDW service or full history report.
What this page does
- Uses public RDW Open Data
- Explains APK inspection and technical context
- Links to related checks and buying preparation
What this page does not promise
- No owner details
- No complete damage history
- No replacement for a purchase inspection
Related guides
Read English-friendly guidance for RDW data, APK context and used-car buying in the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers about Dutch license plate checks, RDW data, APK inspection, recalls, mileage, damage history, Dutch road tax and buying a used car in the Netherlands.
Is the Dutch license plate check free?
Yes. The basic web report is free and shows available public RDW context, source notes and clear limits without pretending to be a full paid vehicle-history report.
Is KentekenKompas the official RDW website?
No. KentekenKompas is not RDW and is not an official government service. It uses public RDW Open Data where available and explains the information in a more readable vehicle report.
What is APK in the Netherlands?
APK is the Dutch periodic roadworthiness inspection, similar to an MOT. It tells you about the inspection status and expiry context, but it does not replace a mechanical inspection or maintenance record.
Can I check Dutch road tax with a license plate?
KentekenKompas can help you understand vehicle data that affects Dutch road tax, such as fuel type and mass. The official road tax amount must still be checked with the Belastingdienst or an authorised calculator.
Does the report show damage history or accident history?
No. KentekenKompas does not show a complete damage history, accident history or insurance-claim history. Use the report to prepare questions, then check documents, invoices, bodywork and an independent inspection yourself.
Does the report show owner details or private registration history?
No. KentekenKompas does not show owner details, private addresses or personal registration history. The report focuses on public vehicle data.
Can I check mileage or NAP history?
KentekenKompas does not provide an official NAP mileage report or full odometer-history check. Compare mileage with maintenance records, invoices, the visible condition of the vehicle and an authorised mileage-history provider.
What should expats check before buying a used car in the Netherlands?
Check the license plate report, APK expiry, recall context, technical specifications, seller documents, maintenance invoices, mileage evidence, insurance options, Dutch road tax context and whether the advert matches public RDW data.