Can you really sell a vehicle “for parts”?

While French legislation governing vehicle sales is extremely strict, it is even stricter when it comes to selling a vehicle for parts. This raises the question of what types of vehicles can be sold for parts between private individuals and what steps are necessary to ensure the sale is legal. We’ll tell you everything you need to know!

Selling vehicles for parts: what does it involve?

There always comes a time when you want to get rid of your car, either because you’ve bought a newer one, because you don’t have the time or money to maintain your old one, or because it keeps breaking down. It is in this context that many owners want to sell their vehicles for parts. The buyer then acquires the vehicle solely to obtain the most valuable parts. It should be noted that this sales system could potentially bring in more money for the owner. However, French law is very strict when it comes to selling vehicles for parts.Can any vehicle be sold for parts between private individuals?Unfortunately, the answer is no! More specifically,

only vehicles considered to be “running” can be sold for parts to an individual. Note that while selling “non-running” cars for parts was once legally permitted, this has not been the case since 2009. Therefore, no vehicle inspection or registration certificate (V5C) bearing the mention “non-running vehicle” can be issued. Speaking of registration certificates, you can now apply for one on www.portail-cartegrise.fr, a web platform offering various services such as:

• change of ownership when buying a used car,
• Duplicate vehicle registration certificate in case of theft, damage, or loss
• Change of address on the vehicle registration certificate
• The transfer of ownership declaration, etc.

Otherwise, a vehicle is considered non-roadworthy when it is no longer able to pass a mandatory roadworthiness test.

This results in its immobilization and prohibition from being driven. When you own a car considered as such, to get rid of it, you have no other choice than to sell it to an authorized ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) center. Before scrapping the car, the center will, of course, extract the parts to repair other broken-down vehicles. During the transfer of ownership, the owner must provide the ELV center with a vehicle registration certificate, a vehicle history report, and must also complete and sign a transfer of ownership declaration. Note that any owner who takes the risk of selling a non-roadworthy vehicle for parts to a private individual will be fined €1,500 in addition to a class 5 traffic violation.

How to sell a “running” car for parts? If you have a car that is still roadworthy,it can, of course, be sold through a standard sale process.