Can you sell a used vehicle without a roadworthiness test?

Verified 23 January 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The rules are different depending on the type of vehicle : car , motorhome of up to 3,5 t, van on the one hand, motorized vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels and motor quadricycle on the other hand.

Car, van, camper of 3,5 t maximum

The rules differ according to the age of the vehicle.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

4 years or more

If you sell one car (VP) ( category M1 ) or a van (category N1) of over 4 years, a roadworthiness test must be carried out. You must give the proof of the technical inspection to the future owner. Indeed, proof of control is indispensable to the buyer for register the vehicle.

You have no no obligation to carry out a roadworthiness test in the 2 cases following:

  • Carte grise The periodic inspection of the vehicle was carried out in the last 6 months preceding the date of application for the new registration certificate (RCT)
  • You sell the vehicle to a garage or dealer

Less than 4 years

You can sell a car (VP) (category M1 ) or a van (category N1) of under 4 years without providing evidence of roadworthiness tests.

2, 3 motor wheels and motor quadricycle

The rules differ according to the age of the vehicle.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

5 years or more

Since April 15, 2024, if you sell one L-category vehicle (motorcycle, scooter...) by more than 5 years, a roadworthiness test must be carried out. You must give the proof of the technical inspection to the future owner. Indeed, proof of control is indispensable to the buyer for register the vehicle.

You have no no obligation to carry out a roadworthiness test in the 2 cases following:

  • The periodic inspection of the vehicle was carried out in the last 6 months preceding the date of application for the new registration certificate
  • You sell the vehicle to a garage or dealer

Less than 5 years

You can sell a L-category vehicle (motorcycle, scooter...) by under 5 years without providing evidence of roadworthiness tests.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • carte grise 34 00 - Information on the

    Carte grise National interactive voice server providing automated answers regarding the following:

    Carte grise If the user does not get the answer to his question about the taking of the vehicle or the driving license, he will be put in contact with an advisor of the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS).

    By telephone

    From the metropolis:

    34,00 (cost of a local call)

    From overseas:

    09 70 83 07 07

    From the foreigner:

    +33 9 70 83 07 07