Buying a car in Germany: from Mobile.de to plates

Mobile.de and Autoscout24 tactics, TÜV/HU meanings, the full registration process with eVB and plates, taxes, and the Umweltplakette for city zones.

Last updated: July 13, 2026

How do you buy and register a car in Germany?

Buy via Mobile.de or Autoscout24 (private or dealer), verify the TÜV (HU) inspection date and service history, then register at the Zulassungsstelle with: purchase contract, vehicle documents (Zulassungsbescheinigung I+II), your ID and Anmeldung, an eVB insurance number, and a SEPA mandate for vehicle tax. Plates cost €10-30, registration ~€30-60.

What this guide covers

Buying: the German-market advantages The paperwork trinity Registration (Zulassung) step-by-step The compliance calendar

Buying: the German-market advantages

Service-history culture (scheckheftgepflegt = full records = pay the premium), TÜV discipline (a fresh 2-year HU is real mechanical information), and rust-honest listings. Dealer purchases include 12-month statutory used-warranty (Gewährleistung - not waivable to consumers); private sales are as-is ("gekauft wie gesehen") - budget a €50-100 independent inspection (ADAC/DEKRA stations) on any private buy.

The paperwork trinity

Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (registration cert, in the car) + Teil II (ownership title - NEVER buy without seeing it) + HU report. The Kaufvertrag (contract - ADAC template, bilingual versions exist) protects both sides; seller keeps a copy for their deregistration insurance cut-off.

Registration (Zulassung) step-by-step

Insurance FIRST: get the eVB number online, it moves premiums hundreds)
Zulassungsstelle appointment (the usual German booking game): documents above + €30-60 fees
Choose plate letters (Wunschkennzeichen +€10-15, reserve online)
Plates pressed at the shops across the street (€15-30), stamped, drive legal
Kfz-Steuer (vehicle tax) debits automatically: €100-400/year typical by engine/emissions

The compliance calendar

HU/TÜV every 24 months (€100-150 with the AU emissions check; overdue = fines + insurance friction), Umweltplakette green sticker for city environmental zones (€5-20, order online - required in most city centers), winter tire situational requirement (Oct-Easter rule of thumb, insurance consequences without them), and the warning-triangle/vest/first-aid-kit trio the law expects in the trunk.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy before my license exchange?

Ownership and registration don't require a German license - driving does (license guide's 6-month clock).

Leasing/subscription instead?

Private leasing is growing; car-subscription products (Finn-class) bundle everything monthly - do the math against the Deutschlandticket first (guide).

EV incentives?

Purchase premiums have lapsed/changed repeatedly ⚠️ VERIFY current: THG quota payouts (~€100-300/year for EV owners) and Kfz-Steuer exemptions remain the durable perks.

Selling later?

Reverse everything: deregister (or the buyer re-registers), inform insurer (SF class parks safely for years), and the Kaufvertrag copy protects you from the buyer's parking tickets.

Related guides

Keep going: these guides continue where this one ends.