Professional Vehicle Purchase Declaration: Complete Guide 2026
Are you an automotive professional (dealership, garage owner, reseller) and buying a French vehicle to resell it? The purchase declaration (DA) is a mandatory formality to be completed within 15 days. Discover the complete procedure, necessary documents, and penalties for non-compliance.
⚠️ Important: The purchase declaration is strictly reserved for automotive professionals. Individuals must perform a standard change of ownership.
📄 What is a Purchase Declaration?
The purchase declaration (DA) is a mandatory administrative formality for automotive professionals when purchasing a French vehicle with the intent to resell it.
Objectives of the DA:
- 🔍 Ensure vehicle traceability
- 🛡️ Protect seller and buyer
- 📝 Notify the administration of a professional's purchase
- 🚫 Prevent sales-related fraud
Form: Cerfa n°13751 (includes the purchase declaration and the certificate of sale)
⚠️ Attention: The purchase declaration is only possible for vehicles registered in France. It is not possible to register a DA for a foreign vehicle.
👥 Who Can Make a Purchase Declaration?
✅ Professionals concerned:
- 🏪 Dealerships
- 🔧 Garage owners
- 🚗 Used vehicle resellers
- 💼 Automotive agents
Individuals:
Individuals cannot make a purchase declaration. They must follow a different procedure: the change of ownership.
📝 Mandatory Information for the Purchase Declaration
To declare the purchase of a vehicle, the following information is essential:
- 🏭 Professional activity of the declarant
- 📍 Professional buyer's contact details
- 📅 Date of purchase
- 🚗 Vehicle information and its registration certificate
- 👤 Seller's contact details
- 📆 Date of sale (which must match the date of purchase)
📝 Required Documents
✅ Mandatory documents:
- Vehicle registration certificate crossed out and signed by the seller
- Certificate of transfer signed by the seller and the buyer
- Cerfa 13751 (purchase declaration) completed and signed by the seller and the buyer
- KBIS less than 2 years old
- Proof of identity of the professional buyer
⚠️ Attention: The purchase declaration is only possible for vehicles registered in France. It is not possible to register a DA for a foreign vehicle.
💰 Download Cerfa 13751 for free
Get the purchase declaration form and all other necessary documents.
Download Cerfa 13751🚀 How to Make a Purchase Declaration?
Step 1: Gather the necessary documents
Make sure you have all the documents listed above before starting the procedure.
Step 2: Make the purchase declaration
The purchase declaration is now made online via:
- 💻 The ANTS website (ants.gouv.fr)
- 👥 An authorized service provider like our service
Step 3: Obtain the receipt
After your purchase is registered in the SIV, the administration issues a purchase declaration receipt confirming that the declaration has been duly registered.
📝 What is a Purchase Declaration Receipt?
The purchase declaration receipt is an official document issued to the professional buyer after making the declaration.
✅ It proves that:
- The professional has declared the purchase to the competent authorities
- They have the right to resell the vehicle legally
Validity: The receipt is valid until the vehicle is resold.
⚠️ Important: It is not possible to obtain a duplicate of the receipt in case of loss. Keep it carefully!
⏱️ Professional Obligations
Professionals are required to comply with strict obligations:
- 📅 Make the declaration within 15 days of purchase
- 📝 Obtain and keep the receipt for any future resale
- 📢 Inform the authorities in case of resale or export of the vehicle outside the territory
🔄 Difference between Purchase Declaration and Transfer
Although the terms may seem similar, they do not refer to the same thing:
💼 Purchase Declaration (DA):
- Reserved for automotive professionals
- When purchasing a French vehicle with the intent to resell it
- Certifies that the vehicle is duly registered in the professional's name
- Grants the right to resell the vehicle
📝 Vehicle Transfer:
- Encompasses all forms of ownership transfer
- Sale between individuals, between professionals, or donation
- Mandatory establishment of a transfer certificate (Cerfa 15776)
- Mandatory registration of ownership transfer
🎯 Why Make a Purchase Declaration?
Making a purchase declaration is first and foremost a legal obligation for any professional in the automotive sector.
✅ Advantages:
- 🛡️ Secure transactions: Guarantees that the vehicle is in the hands of a recognized professional
- 🚀 Simplify resale: The professional is registered as the owner in the SIV
- 📝 Facilitate registration: The receipt is required for registration procedures
- ⚖️ Prevent disputes: Proves the vehicle's history and avoids challenges
🚨 Penalties for Non-Declaration
Failure to comply with the obligation to declare the purchase can lead to various penalties:
- 💰 Administrative fine: Failure to register within the deadline may result in a fixed fine
- ❌ Inability to register: Without a DA, it is impossible to register the vehicle in the name of the new owner
- ⚠️ Liability in case of incident: In the event of an accident or theft, the absence of a DA can complicate compensation procedures and engage the liability of the seller or buyer
💵 What is the Price of a Purchase Declaration?
✅ The purchase declaration is FREE
Like the transfer declaration, the DA is entirely free on the ANTS website.
Service fees: Processing fees may apply if you use a professional service like ours for registering your DA.
🎯 Entrust Us With Your Purchase Declaration
Our team of experts handles your purchase declaration from A to Z. Save time and guarantee zero errors for automotive professionals.
- ✅ Verification of your professional documents
- ✅ Error-free completion of Cerfa 13751
- ✅ Registration within 15 days
- ✅ Obtaining the official receipt
- ✅ Personalized assistance 7/7
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can an individual make a purchase declaration?
No. The purchase declaration is strictly reserved for automotive professionals. An individual must make a standard change of ownership.
Is the DA receipt mandatory for obtaining a registration certificate?
The receipt itself is not mandatory, but the registration of the purchase declaration is. Nevertheless, the receipt can facilitate the registration of your vehicle.
Can I get a receipt if I lose it?
No. It is not possible to obtain a duplicate of the purchase declaration receipt. Keep it carefully until the vehicle is resold.
What is the deadline for making the purchase declaration?
You have a maximum of 15 days after purchase to make the purchase declaration.
Can I make a DA for a foreign vehicle?
No. The purchase declaration is only possible for vehicles registered in France.
📚 Useful Resources:
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