Guide
Dutch plate check with official RDW data
Enter a Dutch plate and see within seconds what the public register says about that car — before you book a test drive or pay a deposit.
What is a plate check?
A plate check looks up a vehicle in the Dutch RDW register. With only the plate you can fetch public facts: make and model, fuel, first registration, APK validity, odometer judgment, open recalls and signals such as WOK or import. You do not need the seller’s permission — the register is open data.
Auto Consul (RegPro Consultancy B.V.) fetches RDW Open Data, presents a readable dossier and can explain it with AI. We do not invent inspection results and we do not show the keeper’s name. The goal is simple: test ads and verbal claims against the same source APK inspectors and authorities use.
Why check the plate before the test drive?
Used cars are often sold with urgency and flattering photos. A plate check takes little time and filters hard stoppers: an open recall, illogical mileage, WOK status, or APK nearly expired while the price looks ‘sharp’. You avoid wasting an evening on a car that already fails on paper.
Conversely: a clean RDW dossier does not guarantee a perfect car. Undeclared damage, poor maintenance or wear are not in open data. Use the check as a first filter, not your only inspection. Combine with a test drive, service proof and if needed an independent check.
- Compare the ad (year, fuel, mileage) with RDW facts
- Check APK expiry and open recalls
- Take the NAP odometer judgment seriously
- Note import and WOK signals before you deposit
How does Auto Consul’s free check work?
Paste the plate on the homepage — with or without dashes. We normalise input and fetch open RDW data. You see a clear summary plus details that matter for a used buy. During the free period, AI can explain the dossier in plain language so you are not left googling every abbreviation.
Want to go deeper? See related guides on occasion check, APK check, odometer and road tax, or read the FAQ. For make-specific notes we also have model pages (for example Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Yaris). Everything ties back to the same entry point: the plate.
Privacy and limits of open data
A plate check does not show the owner’s address or phone number. That is intentional. What you do get are vehicle facts relevant to safety, tax and fair dealing. Auto Consul does not store a credit card for an anonymous check; see the privacy policy for account and session data.
In short: a free plate check is the fastest way to put RDW truth next to a marketplace or dealer ad. Start below or via the homepage, and use the dossier as a checklist for the conversation with the seller.
Common mistakes on a plate check
The first mistake is entering the wrong plate: 0/O confusion or an ad with a stock photo of another car. Always verify the plate on the car at viewing. The second is staring at one field — only APK — while NAP, open recalls and WOK together form the risk picture. The third is reading the dossier as a purchase guarantee. Open data filters stoppers; it does not approve bodywork or maintenance.
Also use the plate check to prepare your conversation. Write three dossier-based questions: APK horizon, an open recall, import papers. Sellers who answer clearly with proof earn more trust than those who stay vague. Then combine with our guides on used-car check, odometer and day value so price and risk sit in one decision.
Finally: save or screenshot the dossier on the day you offer. Registers update; a recall can open or close later. A timestamped check helps you remember what you knew when you negotiated. Auto Consul stays a low-friction entry to RDW Open Data — the decision and test drive remain yours.