How to Sell a Car in Germany as a Non-Resident

Whether your road trip is ending or you are moving on, you can sell the car yourself or let our team sell it for you, even after you have flown home.

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Short answer: two ways to sell

  1. Sell it yourself on mobile.de, AutoScout24 or Kleinanzeigen. Usually the highest price, but you need time, German for buyer calls and to be there for the handover.
  2. Use CarTurf selling assistance for €500 + 5% of the gross sale price. Our team lists the car, handles buyers in German, does the paperwork and closes the registration. You do not need to be in Germany.

Not ready to sell? You can also store the car for your next trip.

How selling works when CarTurf’s partner is the Halter

With CarTurf you are the owner (Eigentümer) of the car; our German partner CarTurf UG is only the registered Halter. Your purchase contract proves ownership, so the sale price is yours.

When you sell, CarTurf releases registration certificate Part II (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II, the Fahrzeugbrief) to the buyer as the financial owner directs. The buyer then re-registers the car in their own name, which ends our registration. See Halter vs Eigentümer. Customers contract with CarTurf Global FZCO (Dubai). Our German partner CarTurf UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is the registered Halter.

Ending a road trip? Start 4–6 weeks before your flight

The most expensive mistake is trying to sell in the last few days and accepting a low offer. Plan backwards from your flight:

  • 6 weeks out: decide between selling yourself, selling assistance or storage. Check the HU date: a fresh inspection makes the car easier to sell.
  • 4 weeks out: take good photos, gather the documents, set a realistic price by comparing similar cars on mobile.de.
  • Last 2 weeks: viewings and test drives (private sale), or hand the car to us and fly home (selling assistance).

Selling it yourself: platforms, documents and payment

Where to list: mobile.de is Germany's largest car marketplace, followed by AutoScout24. Kleinanzeigen is popular for cheaper private sales. Give honest details: mileage, HU date, number of owners, known faults and plenty of photos.

Documents:

  • Registration certificate Part I and Part II
  • A written purchase contract (Kaufvertrag); free templates from ADAC or mobile.de
  • Your passport or ID
  • Service history and the last HU report

Payment: only hand over keys and documents once the money is confirmed. Cash is common in private sales; check notes at the buyer's bank, or wait until a bank transfer has actually arrived. Exclude warranty for a private sale in the contract (gekauft wie gesehen).

Ways to end your car ownership

OptionCostEffortNeed to be in Germany?
Sell it yourself Listing fees only High: listing, calls, viewings, handover Yes, for the handover
CarTurf selling assistance €500 + 5% of the gross sale price Low: our team handles it No
Store it for the next trip €50/month outdoor, €100 indoor Low Only to drop off and collect

Compare your options. Storage prices are for CarTurf customers (non-customers €75 / €150).

Tax and deregistration after the sale

Tax: in Germany, selling a car you used privately is generally not taxed as income, because everyday objects are excluded from the private-sale rules. Your home country may see it differently, so check with a tax adviser if the amount is significant.

Registration, insurance and tax stop once the buyer re-registers the car or it is deregistered. If the car is sold without plates, we deregister it first using the three security codes. See how to deregister a car in Germany. Tell us the sale date so the insurer and registration records are updated.

Washing and cleaning to prepare the car for sale may be billed separately.

Taking the car with you instead? Export plates (only for cars registered through CarTurf): you mail us registration certificate Part I (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I) and the current plates. We turn them in and get export plates plus export documents in your name, within 1–3 business days of receiving the documents. Prices including liability insurance: 30 days €300, 60 days €590, 90 days €790. We don't arrange shipping to the USA, but we can recommend shipping partners.

Let our team sell it for you

Selling assistance: €500 + 5% of the gross sale price. We list it, deal with buyers in German and close the registration.

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FAQ

Selling a car in Germany FAQ

Yes. You own the car, so you can sell it. If it is registered through CarTurf, we coordinate the paperwork and the buyer re-registers it in their name.

Selling assistance costs €500 plus 5% of the gross sale price. Our team handles the listing, buyer contact in German, paperwork and closing the registration.

Yes, with selling assistance. Leave the car and documents with us; you do not need to be in Germany for the sale.

Registration certificate Part I and Part II, a written purchase contract, ID, and ideally the service history and last HU report.

Generally no German income tax for a privately used car, as everyday objects are excluded from private-sale taxation. Check your home country’s rules.

They end once the buyer re-registers the car or it is deregistered. Prepaid insurance and vehicle tax are refunded pro rata.

Four to six weeks before your flight. That leaves time for viewings and avoids accepting a low last-minute offer.

Yes, if it is registered through CarTurf. Mail us registration certificate Part I and the plates; we get export plates and export documents in your name within 1–3 business days. With liability insurance: 30 days €300, 60 days €590, 90 days €790.