How do I buy a used car safely on Finn.no?
Liens, inspections, the free contract and warning signs of fraud.
Short answer
To buy a used car safely on FINN, check it for liens and service history, test drive it, sign a written contract and avoid paying in advance. FINN and Forbrukerrådet offer a free digital contract for private sales, and NAF advises checking liens with the Brønnøysund Register Centre before you sign.
Why
- NAF explains that a lien means the owner has borrowed money against the car, and the lender can have the car seized or sold if the loan is not repaid.
- The contract FINN developed with Forbrukerrådet is free, filled in from the ad and signed digitally, and FINN helps report the change of owner to Statens vegvesen.
- FINN's safety advice is to avoid advance payment and never give card numbers, national ID numbers or login details to strangers.
Details
Ask for the service and workshop records and check that the car has been serviced regularly. An approved EU roadworthiness test (EU-kontroll) is not the same as a full technical test, so NAF suggests an independent test if you are unsure about the car. If the car has a lien, pay the loan directly to the lender, pay the rest to the seller and write this into the contract.
Tip
Never follow a link in an email that asks you to verify your account or payment details: FINN says serious websites never send such messages.
What may differ
The free FINN contract is made for private sales. When you buy from a dealer, NAF says a lien check is normally not needed but still recommends one.
People also ask
- How do I avoid scams when buying a car on Finn.no?
- What should I check when buying a used car in Norway?
Sources
- FINN: Free purchase contract for used cars with ForbrukerrådetChecked at:
- FINN Help Centre: Tips for safe tradingChecked at:
- NAF: Check a car for liens before you signChecked at:
- NAF: Buying a used car in briefChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check FINN's help pages and Statens vegvesen before you buy.
Related questions
-
Are Norway's mountain roads open in May, or is it too early for a road trip?
Some seasonal mountain roads in Norway are open by May, but others, such as Trollstigen and Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, have opened as late as June in previous years.
-
Has Norway banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars?
No, Norway has not banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, but it has a political goal that all new passenger cars should be zero-emission by 2025.
-
Can other electric cars use Tesla Superchargers in Norway?
Yes, most Tesla Supercharger stations in Norway are now open to other electric cars with a CCS charging port, and you start and pay for charging in the Tesla app.
-
Can I get E5 or 98 octane petrol in Norway?
Yes, you can still buy 98 octane petrol labelled 98 E5 in several places in Norway, but every pump marked 95 now sells E10 with up to 10 percent ethanol.