Frequently asked questions

Reliability is not one listing sentence. First check open RDW facts: APK expiry, open recalls, odometer judgment (NAP), WOK status, import history, and whether fuel/emission class fits your use. Auto Consul shows those fields free per plate. A test drive, service proof and (if unsure) an independent inspection still matter — RDW does not record accident or service history.

Open Auto Consul, enter the Dutch plate (with or without dashes) and run the check. You get the public RDW dossier: vehicle facts, APK, recalls, NAP judgment and related signals. No account is required for the basic check. Alternatively use RDW Open Data or the RDW app — we summarise the same open sources in plain language.

Day value (dagwaarde) is an indication of what a comparable car may be worth today — not a formal appraisal or sale guarantee. RDW publishes no prices; an indication combines vehicle traits (make, model, year, fuel, mileage signal) with market estimates. Use it to sanity-check an asking price or trade-in, not as an official valuation for insurance or disputes.

Before viewing: plate check (APK, NAP, recalls, WOK, import), asking price vs indicative day value, and whether the ad matches RDW (year, fuel, power). On site: test drive, service book or invoices, tyres/brakes, and written terms. For imports or unclear history: an independent inspection. RDW is a strong first filter, not a substitute for a physical check.

The Nationale Auto Pas (NAP) odometer judgment in RDW compares registered mileages. 'Logical' means the reading rises consistently versus earlier records. 'Illogical' or doubtful is a serious warning: ask for proof and consider walking away. Auto Consul shows this judgment in the plate dossier. NAP does not prove maintenance — only whether km history matches prior readings.

The APK expiry date is how long the current Dutch periodic inspection remains valid. After that you generally may not use the car on public roads without a new inspection. A short remaining APK is not a ban on buying, but a signal you may face inspection costs or repairs soon. Also check open recalls — separate from APK, still safety-critical.

Import is not automatically bad, but different: foreign history is often incomplete in Dutch registers, BPM/residual BPM may apply, and home-country service stamps may be missing. RDW usually shows whether/when a vehicle was registered in NL. Ask for extra proof (e.g. Car-Pass, German service book, damage declarations) and consider an inspection. Use the plate check to compare import status and NL facts with the ad.

Dutch road tax (MRB) depends on weight, fuel, province and sometimes CO₂/EV rules. RDW supplies the technical base (mass, fuel, dates); the exact quarterly amount follows Tax Office rules that vary by case. Auto Consul can give direction from open vehicle data; always verify with the official Belastingdienst MRB calculator before you buy.

Open recalls appear in RDW Open Data per plate when the manufacturer issued a safety campaign that is not (fully) completed. Auto Consul shows this in the dossier after a plate check. Ask the seller for dealer proof of completion. A closed/completed campaign is better than an open one — driving with an open recall is unwise.

WOK means 'Waiting for Inspection': RDW has flagged the vehicle so it must be re-inspected before normal road use. Causes vary (e.g. serious damage signals or administrative requirements). For a buyer, WOK is almost always a hard stop or reason for specialist inspection — not something to negotiate away without paperwork. Always check WOK via a plate lookup before you deposit or sign.

Access to Dutch emission zones depends mainly on fuel and emission class (Euro norm), plus local rules that can tighten. RDW holds fuel/emission data you compare with municipal policy. Auto Consul shows the relevant vehicle facts; whether you may drive somewhere is decided by current local rules. Also check upcoming tightening if you plan to keep the car long.

Enter the plate in Auto Consul or an RDW source. You see whether APK is valid and until when. Some dossiers also show related inspection context. A valid APK means the car met requirements at inspection time — not that there is no wear or hidden faults. Combine APK with NAP, recalls and a test drive.

Core facts come from RDW Open Data — the public Dutch vehicle register. Auto Consul (RegPro Consultancy B.V.) fetches, organises and explains them with AI. We do not invent plates, owners or inspection results. Prices/day value are indicative and not from RDW. See privacy and terms for what we do and do not store.

No. Open RDW consumer data does not show the keeper’s name and address. You see vehicle and registration facts, not a personal file. That protects privacy. If you doubt the seller, use normal caution: view the car in person, resist pressure to pay quickly, and verify paperwork.

BPM applies on import and in some residual-BPM/export situations. Whether you still owe anything depends on registration history, fuel/CO₂ rules and whether BPM was already paid. RDW alone is not always enough for a tax conclusion. Use the plate check for facts, and verify Belastingdienst/BPM rules or a specialist if you import or buy a recent import.

Compare advertised mileage with the NAP judgment and any prior registrations in the dossier. Large gaps or an 'illogical' judgment are reasons to stop or demand documentary explanation. Logical NAP does not prove gentle use — only that km history was not obviously manipulated in the records.

The plate check on open RDW data is meant to be low-friction. During the free period, AI explanation may also be available without a paid pack. No credit card is required to check a plate. For current terms and what free mode includes, see the homepage and pricing page.

RDW Open Data has no full accident history, no service book, no guaranteed market price and no owner names. Hidden defects do not appear online. A good purchase check therefore does not end on screen: test drive, paperwork and if needed an inspection still matter. Auto Consul makes open facts readable quickly so you know what to verify next.