This guide walks through each stage of a private to private motorhome sale, from agreeing the date to declaring the sale, with key details specific to a France Motorhome Sales managed sale.

Step 1 — Agree the Handover Date, Time and Location

Choose a location that works practically for a large vehicle, somewhere with enough space to walk around, inspect, and move the motorhome comfortably. Good lighting matters more than you'd think.

It's worth thinking about privacy too. Not every seller wants to meet at their home address, and a neutral location like a motorhome storage site or dealer forecourt is a perfectly reasonable alternative.

Plan for at least one overnight stay near the handover location. Payment transfers, particularly international ones, can take time to clear, and building in that buffer avoids pressure on both sides.

If there's a time constraint on either side (the seller is leaving the country, for example), it's worth being upfront about this when agreeing the date.

Step 2 — Document Preparation (Before Handover Day)

A little preparation before the day makes everything go more smoothly.

For the seller

The Contrôle Technique (CT) needs to be valid (within 6 months) at the time of sale. Having one done within a month of handover is good practice, giving both parties an up-to-date picture of the vehicle's condition.

Locate the original carte grise and set it aside well in advance.

A fresh Histovec report should be sent to the buyer within 15 days of the sale. It's a quick pull from the government portal and gives the buyer confidence in the vehicle's history.

Gather all keys (confirm how many sets exist), the service history, carnet d'entretien, and any invoices or maintenance records. Print two copies of the CERFA 15776 (Déclaration de cession) and have the Handover Agreement prepared and ready to sign on the day.

For the buyer

Insurance needs to be active from the handover date. Arrange the policy in advance, but there is no need to start it running until you are satisfied with the vehicle. Most insurers can activate cover over the phone on the day of handover once you have decided to proceed. If registering the vehicle abroad, check whether a Certificate of Conformity (COC) will be needed by the importing country's registration authority.

If driving the vehicle from France to another country, confirm that the policy covers transit driving and check the Green Card situation with the insurer before departure.

Step 3 — Handover Day

Vehicle inspection

Both parties should take photos of the vehicle at the start of the handover, covering the exterior, interior, and any existing marks or wear. It takes a few minutes and provides clear protection for both sides.

Before the walk-through, the buyer should verify the VIN on the vehicle (typically found on the windscreen and door frame) matches the number on the carte grise. It's a simple check that's easy to overlook.

The seller then walks the buyer through the vehicle: heating, hot water, gas, electrics, awning, habitation equipment. It's a good opportunity for the buyer to ask questions and for the seller to point out anything worth noting.

Material defects

If the buyer spots a minor issue, this doesn't unwind the sale. The vehicle is sold as seen. A material issue affecting value by more than €1,000 gives the buyer the right to renegotiate the price or, if no agreement can be reached, to withdraw and recover their deposit (if applicable).

Note the odometer reading. It gets recorded on the CERFA 15776.

Payment

Once the buyer is satisfied with the inspection, they initiate the balance transfer. Keys and the carte grise change hands only once funds have confirmed.

International transfers

For international payments, a neo-bank like Wise or Revolut is worth using over a standard bank transfer. Transfers between accounts on the same platform are typically instant or same-day. One important point: both parties need to send from their account directly. Routing a transfer through a local bank into Wise first adds the same delays as a conventional transfer. If either party hasn't used one of these services before, do a small test transfer beforehand.

Signing

The CERFA 15776 is completed and signed by both parties, with the km reading and date recorded. The Handover Agreement is signed at the point of handover.

The carte grise: what to write (and what not to)

Selling to a French buyer: Write "Vendu le [date] à [time]" across the face of the carte grise, then draw a line through the document to indicate it is no longer valid for the seller.

Selling to a foreign buyer (export): Do not write anything on the original carte grise. Overseas registration authorities may treat any handwriting on the document as tampering. The signed CERFA 15776 is the legal record of transfer and is sufficient.

All keys, remotes, access cards, manuals, and service history are handed over and accounted for. The seller takes their personal belongings before leaving.

Step 4 — Declaring the Sale and Closing Out

After the sale, the seller needs to formally declare the cession to the French vehicle registration system. The simplest route is through a professional carte grise processing service. They handle the declaration, manage the paperwork, and avoid errors that cause delays. France Motorhome Sales works with a trusted contact who can take care of this.

For those who prefer to handle it directly, the declaration is made via the ANTS portal at ants.gouv.fr and must be submitted within 15 days of the sale.

For French buyers, the declaration enables them to apply for a new carte grise. For foreign buyers, the signed CERFA 15776 and original carte grise form the import documentation package for registration in their home country.

The seller should send a copy of the signed CERFA 15776 to their insurer. This is what triggers cancellation of the vehicle insurance from the handover date.

Quick Reference Checklist

Before handover day

Contrôle Technique carried out (ideally within 1 month of sale)
Histovec sent to buyer (within 15 days of sale)
Buyer's insurance arranged and ready to activate on the day
Transit insurance confirmed if buyer is driving vehicle across borders
COC obtained if required (buyer registering abroad)
All keys located and ready
Service history and documents gathered
CERFA 15776 printed (×2)
Handover Agreement prepared
Both parties have confirmed overnight accommodation

Handover day

Photos taken of vehicle by both parties
VIN on vehicle verified against carte grise
Vehicle walk-through completed
Odometer reading noted
Buyer calls insurer to activate cover (once satisfied and proceeding)
Full payment transfer initiated by buyer
CERFA 15776 signed by both parties (km recorded)
Handover Agreement signed by both parties
Keys, remotes, manuals, service history handed over
Personal belongings removed by seller
Payment confirmed as cleared
Carte grise handed to buyer (unmodified)

After handover

Cession declaration submitted (professional processing recommended, or via ANTS within 15 days)
CERFA 15776 copy sent to seller's insurer to cancel vehicle insurance
Code de cession provided to buyer (if applicable)

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