With a classic motorcycle, the paperwork is part of the bike. A good bike with bad papers is hard to register, hard to insure and hard to sell later. A bike with good papers is worth more, and not only because it is easier. It tells you the seller is who they say they are.
The registration document, by country
- Netherlands: the registration card (kentekencard) and the registration code (tenaamstellingscode). The seller gives you both, and you transfer the bike with the RDW. See the Dutch rules.
- Belgium: the registration certificate, which shows the plate and, for an oldtimer, the O plate. See the Belgian rules.
- Germany: two parts. Teil I (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I) is the registration certificate, Teil II is the ownership document. Ask to see both. See the German rules.
- United Kingdom: the V5C log book, with the green new keeper slip for the buyer. See the UK rules.
- France: the carte grise, which for a classic may be a collection registration. See the French rules.
A registration document says who is registered with the authority. It is not a guarantee that the bike is not stolen, not financed and has not had its numbers altered. That is why you compare it with the bike itself: see frame and engine numbers.
The bill of sale
Always make a written bill of sale, even between friends. It should contain:
- the full names, addresses and identity document numbers of both parties,
- make, model, year, colour, frame number, engine number and the current mileage or a statement that it is unknown,
- the price and what is included (spare parts, tools, extra documents),
- a statement of the condition as agreed, including known faults,
- the date and time of handover, and signatures.
If the sale is between a private person and a dealer, state who is the seller. See importing a motorcycle within the EU for why this matters for VAT.
The history file
A good file contains old registration documents, tax stickers, MOT or inspection papers where they exist, workshop invoices, parts receipts, photographs of work in progress, correspondence with clubs, and magazine articles. It does not need to be complete. It needs to be consistent. Dates that do not add up, or invoices for parts that the bike does not have, are a reason to ask questions.
Proof of age and originality
Where the registration does not show the year of manufacture, a dating certificate from the manufacturer or an owners' club can fill the gap. In France it is mandatory for a collection registration, see the French rules. A FIVA Identity Card is the broadest proof of originality, see the FIVA card.
Missing papers
- Lost registration document. The registered owner can usually request a replacement. In the UK a replacement V5C costs £25 and takes five to seven working days.
- Papers in the name of a previous owner. The seller must be able to explain the chain. Ask for each transfer document. A gap is a red flag.
- No papers at all. The bike may still be registrable after identification, but that depends on the country and the age of the bike, and it can take months. Do not buy it at the price of a bike with papers. In the Netherlands, see the section on missing proof of the old plate in the Dutch rules.
- Frame-only or project bikes. Even a bare frame needs a clean provenance. Epic Motor Trading accepts project bikes and bare frames as long as the provenance is clean and no stolen parts are involved. Self-builds need the correct registration papers.
Check the seller
Ask for the seller's identity document and compare the name with the registration. If the seller is a dealer, check the company registration. If the seller is selling for someone else, ask for written permission from the owner and call the owner.
