How to find out if a vehicle is under a lien without the carte grise?

Sometimes, someone may want to find out whether a vehicle is under a lien or not, for various reasons: if you are buying or selling a used car when the carte grise (French vehicle registration certificate) is not available, or if you have lost the registration certificate but want to transfer ownership of the car, etc. In any case, to be as reassured as possible before selling or buying a used car, it is best to know its detailed history to avoid scams and disputes. One solution is to obtain a non-lien certificate in advance to find out the vehicle's actual administrative status. However, if we do not have the carte grise for the vehicle, is it possible? Here are some answers.

The non-lien certificate is simply the vehicle's certificat de situation administrative or CSA for short. This official non-lien certificate can be issued free of charge online on the ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés) website or directly by the Ministry of the Interior. The CSA contains all the administrative information about the vehicle you wish to sell or buy. This document is essential when selling a used vehicle, and the buyer is fully entitled to request it before confirming their purchase.

The non-lien certificate allows the buyer to find out whether there is a lien on the vehicle or if there is any opposition against it. The CSA may also state that registration is not possible subject to certain conditions. It is therefore an essential document for deciding whether or not to buy. Sometimes, a prospective buyer takes the risk of buying the vehicle and then finds themselves unable to register it in their name, obtain the carte grise, etc. This then becomes a long and difficult process.

In general, a non-lien certificate is valid for a maximum of 15 days, so do not delay in handing over the official document to the buyer.

Since November 2017, the authorities have closed all vehicle registration counters at the Prefecture. As a result, it is no longer possible to apply for a certificat de situation administrative or non-lien certificate directly at these offices. However, obtaining the non-lien certificate has been made as simple as possible, with the option to apply directly online on the government website. Furthermore, it is no longer possible to request a non-lien certificate by post.

Currently, obtaining a non-lien certificate is completely free online, especially if you are requesting a simple version. The online form must be filled in correctly according to the information on the carte grise. The document is sent instantly in printable PDF format and also as an attachment to your email inbox.

If this is not the case, you will receive a reply by post stating 'Certificat de situation administrative du véhicule ne peut être délivré qu'en Préfecture' (The vehicle's certificat de situation administrative can only be issued at the Prefecture). In this specific case, it means that the vehicle is probably under a lien and, as the owner, you have no right to sell it until the irregularity has been resolved. If it is the buyer who made the request, it is best to stop the transaction to avoid scams or problems later on.

The simple non-lien certificate is received almost instantly and anyone can request it: the buyer, the seller of the used vehicle, or a third party who needs a simple non-lien certificate for other administrative purposes.

The simple non-lien certificate allows you to find out whether the vehicle is under a lien or not. It may also show certain necessary details, such as a seizure carried out by a bailiff at the request of a creditor of the owner if the vehicle is indeed under a lien.

The official simple CSA gives the buyer certainty about the administrative status of the used vehicle and its owner. It is a very useful reference document for deciding whether or not to buy the vehicle.

The document also certifies whether it is possible to register the vehicle in the buyer's name, that is, whether it is possible to carry out the transfer of registration.

Even if both parties insist on proceeding with the transaction, the transfer is automatically blocked and the application for a carte grise in the buyer's name is completely impossible. If the buyer has ignored the information on the simple non-lien certificate and only finds out during the transfer, they can still take action against the seller to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Note that the process can be lengthy, especially if the seller disappears.

The simple non-lien certificate usually states that the vehicle is free from any opposition or lien, so the buyer can proceed with the transaction without worrying about the administrative paperwork when changing ownership.

The difference between the simple non-lien certificate and the detailed non-lien certificate is first of all the issuing procedure. Generally, people only become interested in the detailed certificate after receiving an unsatisfactory simple certificate. This is the case, for example, if it states that the vehicle cannot be sold due to an opposition or a registered lien.

The detailed non-lien certificate contains all the details of the opposition and the lien, enabling the buyer to resolve any irregularities. It provides the contact details of the creditor organisation of the former owner, the addresses of the automotive experts who have provided information about the vehicle's condition, for example, if it has been prohibited from being driven.

The detailed non-lien certificate informs the buyer of all the steps to be taken and all the costs involved in resolving the situation. The detailed certificat de situation administrative must be requested directly from the Prefecture, and only the holder of the carte grise is entitled to obtain it, or their lawyer or an official representative.

Every buyer is advised to ask the seller for a certificat de situation administrative for the vehicle or to apply for one themselves online on the ANTS website. Before completing the transaction, the buyer has the right to ask the seller for all the information about the vehicle. You simply need to have the necessary data and then apply for a simple non-lien certificate yourself on the government website. Here is the main information required:

- The registration number

- The date of first registration

- The date of the registration certificate (carte grise)

- The name and surname of the owner or company name if it is a business

This information is sufficient to obtain a CSA for a used vehicle without the carte grise, still free of charge online on the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés website.

This advice is very important: if the seller does not wish to provide you with this essential information so that you can obtain a non-lien certificate yourself, and does not want to apply for a CSA themselves, cancel the transaction and walk away! For more information, see our VIN decoder from the carte grise.