The Used-Car Purchase Contract Checklist

2026-08-23 · 5 min read

A used car bought from a private seller usually changes hands on a single sheet of paper, sometimes handwritten, sometimes a printed template filled in on the hood of the car. That contract is the only real record of what was agreed, so it's worth five extra minutes to get it right before anyone signs.

The basics that have to be there

• Full names and addresses of both buyer and seller, ideally with phone number and email too.
• Vehicle details: make, model, VIN/Fahrgestellnummer, mileage at the time of sale, first registration date, and license plate.
• Purchase price and how it's being paid.
• What's handed over: number of keys, the vehicle documents (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II), service book, and any spare parts.

List known defects explicitly

If the car has existing damage or issues, both sides are better off writing them down rather than leaving them unspoken. This isn't just about fairness, it's your legal footing too: a private seller who knowingly concealed an existing defect can't hide behind a warranty exclusion clause for that specific issue.

Understand what "sold as seen" actually excludes

Private sellers commonly exclude warranty entirely (Gewährleistungsausschluss, sometimes written as "gekauft wie gesehen"), and this is legal for a private, non-commercial sale in Germany. But it has to be written into the contract explicitly to apply, and it doesn't cover a defect the seller actively knew about and didn't disclose. A blanket warranty exclusion is not a blank check to hide problems.

Write the actual mileage, not a hedge

Use language like "actual mileage" rather than "according to odometer." If the mileage later turns out to have been manipulated, that distinction affects how much recourse you actually have. (For more on checking the odometer itself before you sign anything, see our guide on spotting odometer fraud.)

Before you sign

• Both parties should sign and date two identical copies, one for each side.
• The buyer should be named responsible for registering the vehicle promptly after the sale.
• If you're buying in Austria rather than Germany, the same general principles apply, but the specific requirements differ, so check the current guidance for your country or have the contract reviewed if the purchase price is significant.

This is general information, not legal advice. For a high-value purchase, or if anything about the deal feels unusual, it's worth having the contract checked by someone qualified before you sign.

Keep the contract itself, not just the memory of it

Once it's signed, a purchase contract is easy to lose exactly when you need it most, at resale, during a dispute, or just trying to remember what was agreed. Upload a photo or PDF of yours to INC Ride's Contract Check and get a free AI read on whether the price and terms look fair, based on comparable sales, and it's saved to your account automatically so you're not searching for a piece of paper years from now.