Dutch garage terms explained: APK (MOT), grote beurt, kenteken and more
Your APK report, your quote and the messages from the RDW are usually in Dutch. Words such as afkeurpunt, grote beurt and tenaamstellingscode can be confusing if you have recently moved to the Netherlands. This glossary explains the Dutch garage terms you are most likely to meet, in plain English.
By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 4 November 2026
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The short answer
The most important Dutch garage term is the APK (algemene periodieke keuring), the compulsory periodic vehicle inspection, comparable to the British MOT. It is carried out by RDW-approved garages, and the RDW is the Dutch vehicle authority. A kleine beurt is a minor service and a grote beurt is a major service. Your kenteken is your number plate or registration number, and a prijsopgave is the quote you receive before any work starts.
Which Dutch terms will you meet at the APK?
The APK is the Dutch periodic technical inspection. According to the Dutch government, the full name is algemene periodieke keuring, and a garage or inspection centre approved by the RDW assesses your car for safety, roadworthiness and environmental compliance. The RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer) is the Dutch vehicle authority. On its English pages it calls the APK the Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI).
| Dutch term | In English | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| APK | Periodic vehicle inspection | The compulsory inspection of your car. According to the RDW, you may not drive without a valid APK. See our APK page in English. |
| APK-keuring | APK inspection | The inspection itself. Keuring means inspection or test. |
| Keurmeester | Inspector | The qualified person who carries out the APK and registers the result. |
| RDW-erkend | RDW-approved | A garage that may carry out the APK. According to the RDW, you can recognise it by the approval sign with the text “RDW approved”. |
| Vervaldatum | Expiry date | The date your current APK runs out. When the next APK is due depends on the fuel type and the age of the car. |
| Datum eerste toelating | Date of first registration | The date the car was first registered. According to the RDW, the age of the car for the APK is calculated from this date. |
| Uitlaatgastest | Emissions test | The measurement of the exhaust gases during the APK. |
| Roetfilter | DPF (diesel particulate filter) | The filter that catches soot from a diesel engine. Af-fabriek roetfilter means factory-fitted DPF. |
| Deeltjestest | Particle counter test | According to the RDW, a compulsory part of the APK since 1 January 2023 for diesels with a factory-fitted DPF. |
Sources: RDW (About the Periodic Technical Inspection) and Government.nl
According to the RDW, you can have the APK done up to 2 months before the expiry date. The new expiry date then stays on the same day and month, plus 1 or 2 years. The RDW sends one reminder about six weeks before the expiry date, by post or through the Berichtenbox, the government’s secure online inbox. You are responsible for the date even if you do not receive the reminder.
What do the terms on the APK report mean?
After the inspection you receive the keuringsrapport (inspection report), even when the car fails. According to the RDW, the report shows the expiry date and lists the repair points, rejection points and advisory points. These are the words you will find on it.
| Dutch term | In English | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Goedgekeurd | Passed | The car meets the APK requirements. |
| Afgekeurd | Failed | The car does not meet the requirements and must be repaired and inspected again. |
| Afkeurpunt | Rejection point | A defect that is a reason to fail. |
| Reparatiepunt | Repair point | A defect that was fixed during the inspection. |
| Adviespunt | Advisory point | Not a failure, but a part that will probably need attention soon. |
| Herkeuring | Retest | The new inspection after a failure and repair. |
| Afmelden | Registering the result with the RDW | The inspector reports the result to the RDW. At our garage this is included in the APK price. |
Source: RDW (About the Periodic Technical Inspection).
Each type of point is explained with examples in how to read your APK report. If your car has failed, our page on a failed APK, repairs and retest explains the next steps.
What do kenteken, kentekencard and tenaamstellingscode mean?
The kenteken is your registration number, the letters and numbers on your number plate. A garage uses it to look up your car, so it is usually the first thing we ask for on the phone. The other registration terms are about your papers.
| Dutch term | In English | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Kenteken | Registration number or number plate | The unique number of your car in the RDW register. |
| Kentekenplaat | Number plate | The plate on the front and back of the car. |
| Kentekencard | Registration card | The credit card-sized registration certificate. According to the RDW, you must carry it with you when driving. |
| Kentekenbewijs | Registration certificate | The general term. Until 1 January 2014 it was a paper document in several parts. |
| Tenaamstellingscode | Registration code | According to the RDW, a 9-digit code that you keep at home in a safe place. You need it to sell, trade in, suspend, scrap or export the car. |
| Schorsen | Suspending the car | Taking the car off the road for a period. According to the RDW, a suspended car may not be driven or parked on public roads. During that period you pay no motor vehicle tax, and the car does not need insurance or a valid APK. |
| Grijs kenteken | Commercial vehicle registration (often called a grey plate) | A van registered as a commercial vehicle (in Dutch: bestelauto). The APK price for a van is different, see the prices below. |
Sources: RDW (About the registration certificate) and RDW (Schorsen, in Dutch).
Did you bring your car with you from abroad? Then the car first needs a Dutch registration. Read importing a car to the Netherlands for the steps.
What is the difference between a kleine beurt, grote beurt and onderhoudsbeurt?
An onderhoudsbeurt is a service in general. A kleine beurt is a minor service and a grote beurt is a major service. According to the ANWB, the Dutch motoring organisation, a minor service consists of changing the engine oil and oil filter plus a check of many points, and as a rule of thumb it is due about every 15,000 km or once a year. A major service covers more, and the ANWB gives about every 30,000 km or two years as a rule of thumb. For your own car, the manufacturer’s schedule is what counts.
| Dutch term | In English | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Onderhoudsbeurt | Service | Maintenance according to the manufacturer’s schedule. See our car service page. |
| Kleine beurt | Minor service | Oil and oil filter change plus checks. At a minor service we also check the battery. |
| Grote beurt | Major service | A more extensive service. At a major service we test the battery with a battery tester. The APK is free with a major service, except for a Tesla. |
| Onderhoudsschema | Service schedule | The manufacturer’s list of what is due and when. |
| Onderhoudsboekje | Service book | The book or digital record in which each service is noted. |
| Instructieboekje | Owner’s manual | The manual of your car, with the service intervals and the right engine oil. |
| Olie verversen | Oil change | Replacing the engine oil, usually together with the oil filter. |
| Fabrieksgarantie | Manufacturer’s warranty | You may have a car under warranty serviced at an independent garage. Read the warranty conditions of your manufacturer. |
Rules of thumb according to the ANWB. The intervals for your own car are in the manufacturer’s schedule.
Would you like to combine the APK with a major service? We do this on a weekday, Monday to Friday. You bring the car between 8.00 and 8.30 am. Read more in major service and APK together.
Which Dutch words for car parts are useful to know?
These are the part names that appear most often on quotes, invoices and APK reports. If a part on your quote is not in this list, ask us and we will explain it in English.
| Dutch term | In English | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Distributieriem | Timing belt | Replaced at the interval set by the manufacturer |
| Natte distributieriem | Wet timing belt (belt-in-oil) | A timing belt that runs in engine oil |
| Distributieketting | Timing chain | A chain instead of a belt, found on many engines |
| Automaatbak | Automatic gearbox | A gearbox that changes gear by itself |
| Koppeling | Clutch | Part of a manual gearbox |
| Remblokken en remschijven | Brake pads and brake discs | Read when to replace brake pads and discs |
| Banden en profieldiepte | Tyres and tread depth | Tyres and tread depth are checked at the APK |
| Schokdempers | Shock absorbers | Part of the suspension (in Dutch: ophanging) |
| Accu | Battery (12 volt) | The 12-volt battery that starts the car |
| Airco | Air conditioning | The usual Dutch short form of air conditioning |
| Uitlaat | Exhaust | Checked at the APK for leaks and emissions |
| Verlichting | Lights | Bulbs and headlights. We replace and adjust them. |
| Motorlampje | Engine warning light | A warning light on the dashboard for an engine fault |
Which terms will you hear at the garage counter?
At the counter it is mostly about your appointment, the price and your approval. These are the words to know.
What does the APK cost at our garage?
The APK at our garage costs € 50 for a car on petrol, a petrol hybrid or an electric car. For a diesel with a factory-fitted DPF it costs € 60, including the particle counter test. For a car on LPG or another diesel you hear the price in advance. A van registered as a commercial vehicle costs € 125. Registering the result with the RDW is included. Read more about what an APK costs in the Netherlands.
We are an RDW-approved APK station and a family business since 1979. More English guides about the APK, servicing and air conditioning are collected on our car guides page.