General terms and conditions

CarMatch – General terms and conditions of our platforms, and terms of sale and warranty

Version: September 2026

1. General

1.1. In these general terms and conditions, "CarMatch" means MDware CommV (limited partnership), also trading as CarMatch, carmatch.be, FleetMatch and fleetmatch.be.

1.2. MDware CommV, with registered office at Dok Noord 7b 502, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, is registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises under company number 0663775156 and can be reached at info@carmatch.be and +32 476 38 80 22.

1.3. In these general terms and conditions, "Customer" means: users of the website, customers who are consumers within the meaning of art. I.1, 2° of the Belgian Code of Economic Law (CEL) ("Consumer"), and customers who are undertakings within the meaning of art. I.1, 1° CEL ("Business Customer").

1.4. Our website is accessible at www.carmatch.be.

1.5. CarMatch reserves the right to change these terms, access to the website and its content at any time and without prior notice. The applicable terms are always those in force at the time of the order or reservation.

1.6. The nullity of one or more provisions of these terms does not affect the validity of the terms as a whole. These terms apply without prejudice to any applicable mandatory statutory or regulatory provisions or provisions of public order.

1.7. CarMatch sells vehicles from its own stock and on consignment for the account of a third-party owner. CarMatch acts as seller in its own name unless the order form or quotation expressly names the owner as seller; in that case the owner is named as seller on the order form, quotation and invoice, and CarMatch is responsible only for the intermediation and the services it invoices itself.

2. Liability

2.1. CarMatch is in no way liable for any viruses that, despite the existing control measures, may nevertheless appear on the CarMatch website. Nor is CarMatch liable for the content or use of websites linked to the CarMatch website.

2.2. CarMatch cannot be held liable for any loss or damage (direct, indirect, material or immaterial) arising from the use of the website, except in the case of wilful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of CarMatch.

2.3. In other cases, CarMatch's liability is limited to the following:

loss or damage resulting from gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of CarMatch
loss or damage resulting from bodily injury
non-performance of an obligation that constitutes one of the main performances under the contract, without prejudice to article 2.4

2.4. Where CarMatch is required to compensate a loss or damage caused by a fault, CarMatch's liability is limited to the usual damage that was foreseeable at the time the contract was concluded.

2.5. The limitations and exclusions of liability in these terms also apply for the benefit of CarMatch's directors, employees, agents and subcontractors (its auxiliaries). The Business Customer waives any direct non-contractual claim against these auxiliaries.

3. Order form/quotation, deposit and availability

3.1. The conclusion of the sales contract is always subject to the vehicle not having been sold in the meantime. Because CarMatch sells through several channels, the same vehicle may be reserved or ordered by several customers at the same time. In that case CarMatch will inform the customer within 48 hours of the reservation, order or receipt of a signed quotation or order form. If a vehicle is unavailable, and regardless of any confirmation e-mails sent by CarMatch to the customer, either party may cancel the transaction without any compensation and no sale will take place. Any deposit or reservation fee paid by the customer will be refunded by CarMatch within 14 days.

3.2. The sales contract is only validly concluded once the deposit stated on the order form or quotation has been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing. For the Consumer, the deposit amounts to at most 15% of the total price of the vehicle.

4. Credit

4.1. If the Customer indicates that a form of credit will be used to purchase the vehicle, this must be stated on the order form or signed quotation. The sale is then concluded subject to the condition precedent of the credit being obtained.

4.2. For the Consumer: the Consumer applies for the credit without delay and provides CarMatch, within 15 calendar days of signing, with proof of the application and, as soon as available, the signed credit agreement or proof of refusal. If the credit is refused, the sale is dissolved without any compensation and the deposit is refunded within 14 days. If the proof is not provided, including within 7 days of a written reminder from CarMatch, the condition is deemed not to have been fulfilled: the sale lapses, CarMatch may offer the vehicle for sale again and refunds the amounts already paid within 14 days. If the Consumer, through his own fault, prevents the condition from being fulfilled, for example by not applying for the credit or not applying in time, the fixed compensation under article 6.4 is due. If CarMatch acts as credit intermediary, art. VII.84 CEL applies exclusively: the Consumer enters into no valid commitment and pays no deposit before the credit agreement is signed, and the foregoing sanction does not apply.

4.3. For the Business Customer: if the credit is refused, the sale is deemed not to have taken place and the deposit is refunded, provided the Business Customer notifies CarMatch of the refusal by registered letter within 7 days of signing and provides proof of refusal by at least 2 credit institutions within 30 days of signing. Failing this, CarMatch is entitled to fixed compensation of 15% of the agreed price, with a minimum of €500. Even where refusal is proven, the Business Customer remains liable for the costs already incurred (including preparation for sale, registration, roadworthiness inspection and transport).

5. Payment terms

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the full balance must be paid by the Customer within 14 days of the order. For vehicles ordered from the manufacturer, the balance becomes due as soon as CarMatch notifies that the vehicle is available for delivery, and at the latest before delivery. Unless otherwise agreed in writing (for example in the context of a renting arrangement through a financial institution), a vehicle cannot be delivered until all payment obligations have been met.

If the balance is not paid by its stated due date, the Business Customer owes interest at the statutory rate by operation of law and without notice of default.

In addition, if payment has not been made within 14 calendar days of a notice of default sent by CarMatch by registered letter, the Business Customer owes by operation of law fixed compensation of 15% of the outstanding balance, with a minimum of €150.

For the Consumer, Book XIX CEL applies: in the event of non-payment on the due date, the Consumer first receives a free reminder. If the balance is not paid within the 14 calendar days commencing on the third working day after that reminder is sent by post, or on the day after it is sent electronically, default interest is due by operation of law at the reference rate of the Act of 2 August 2002 on combating late payment in commercial transactions, increased by 8 percentage points, together with fixed compensation within the statutory maxima of art. XIX.4 CEL (for a balance above €500: €65 plus 5% of the amount above €500, up to a maximum of €2,000).

6. Delivery of the vehicle

6.1. CarMatch states a final delivery date on the order form and, where applicable, an expected delivery date. For the Consumer, the final delivery date is binding and the expected date merely indicative; for the Business Customer, only an indicative expected delivery date is stated, which CarMatch may adjust in the event of delays with third parties. Delivery depends on third parties: the manufacturer, importer and carrier (vehicles ordered from the manufacturer), the roadworthiness inspection centre, the DIV vehicle registration authority and customs (E705), and the brand garages and body shops that carry out recalls, work imposed by the manufacturer or the repairs required for a conforming delivery. CarMatch takes these into account when setting the final delivery date, notifies the Customer in writing as soon as the expected date shifts, and owes no compensation for delays attributable to these third parties or to force majeure that it could not reasonably avoid.

If the vehicle has not been delivered to the Consumer by the final delivery date, the Consumer may: a) terminate the contract immediately where the delivery date is essential to him and is recorded as such on the order form; b) in other cases, propose in writing a new delivery period appropriate to the circumstances and, if the vehicle is not delivered within that period, terminate the contract immediately. CarMatch refunds the amounts already paid within 14 days; if the delay is attributable to CarMatch itself, article 6.4 additionally applies.

The agreed sale price cannot be revised in respect of the Consumer. If, for a new vehicle ordered from the manufacturer, the manufacturer changes the equipment or an essential characteristic (such as the range), CarMatch notifies the Customer; the Consumer may cancel free of charge within 14 days with a refund of the amounts paid. In respect of the Business Customer, price changes by the manufacturer or importer may be passed on up to delivery, with the same right of cancellation.

6.2. As soon as the vehicle is available for delivery, the Customer must, unless otherwise agreed in writing, take delivery within 30 days against payment in full.

6.3. If the Customer refuses to take delivery of the vehicle against payment in full, CarMatch will give the Customer notice of default by registered letter to fulfil his obligations within ten days of the date the registered letter is sent.

Failing performance, CarMatch may, by registered letter, either demand performance of the contract or treat the contract as dissolved immediately and by operation of law.

6.4. If the sale is dissolved through the fault of the Customer, CarMatch is entitled to fixed compensation of 15% of the agreed price, with a minimum of €500. From that moment CarMatch may sell the vehicle to a third party and the buyer may turn to another seller.

If the sale is dissolved on CarMatch's side, the Business Customer can derive no rights from this and claim no compensation. If a sale to a Consumer is dissolved for reasons attributable to CarMatch itself (excluding article 3.1, force majeure or the delays referred to in article 6.1), CarMatch refunds all amounts already received within 14 days and owes the Consumer the same fixed compensation of 15% of the agreed price, with a minimum of €500.

6.5. Delivery takes place at the registered office or one of the premises of CarMatch, or at a third party designated by CarMatch that handles the handover and/or preparation of the vehicle. If agreed in writing, delivery may also take place at a location chosen by the Customer.

7. Warranty

7.1. CarMatch warrants that the vehicle is ready for use and conforms to what was ordered, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

7.2. Visible defects of which the Customer could have been aware at the time of delivery are deemed accepted, in the absence of protest by the buyer, by the mere fact of delivery. For the Consumer, this applies only to the defects and deviations that were recorded on the order form or the condition report when the contract was concluded and that he expressly and separately accepted; the delivery document confirms that condition.

7.3. Without prejudice to ordinary law and/or any arrangement more favourable to the Customer, the warranty is agreed as follows:

a) Consumer: the Consumer enjoys the statutory guarantee of conformity (art. 1649bis et seq. of the former Belgian Civil Code): 2 years from delivery for a new vehicle; for a used vehicle, limited to 1 year, as expressly stated on the order form or quotation. He retains this guarantee when he has the vehicle serviced or repaired, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, outside the network of authorised repairers, and CarMatch cannot exclude its liability for hidden defects. What follows under b) and c) and in articles 7.4 to 7.10 applies to the Consumer only as a condition of the commercial warranties and does not limit the statutory guarantee.

b) Business Customer: unless the order form or quotation expressly provides otherwise, the warranty covers, for a period of 1 year from delivery, the repair and/or replacement, including labour, of defects in the motor, drivetrain or gearbox. The excess under c) applies per claim. In a sale to a professional vehicle trader, the vehicle may be sold without any warranty and with exclusion of liability for hidden defects, in the condition in which it is and as inspected by the buyer; this is expressly stated on the order form or quotation.

c) Extended commercial warranty: if a warranty of 2 years or longer is provided, it must be expressly described on the quotation or order form and on the sales invoice, as well as on the warranty document (scope, duration, guarantor) signed at delivery. During that period, up to a maximum of 20,000 km per year and up to 160,000 km or 8 years since first registration at the time of the claim (whichever comes first), it covers sudden and unforeseen mechanical, electrical and electronic failures of the vehicle, parts and labour included, subject to the exclusions in article 7.7. An excess of €290 excl. VAT (€350.90 incl. VAT) applies per claim, payable directly to the repairer; for the multimedia unit, the screens and the on-board computer, compensation is limited to €1,500 incl. VAT per claim.

7.4. The warranty does not cover maintenance (including software updates), adjustments and parts replaced during the services prescribed by the manufacturer; nor normal wear and tear, being the gradual deterioration of parts through use, friction or corrosion, taking into account the year of manufacture and mileage, including the gradual loss of capacity of the traction battery within the limits stated by the manufacturer; nor defects caused by abnormal or improper use, poor maintenance or failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. It lapses if the vehicle is not used as a prudent and reasonable person would.

7.5. The Customer reports a defect to CarMatch immediately upon discovering it, via info@carmatch.be or +32 476 38 80 22, and does what is necessary to prevent the damage from worsening, for example by no longer using the vehicle. Warranty work is carried out in CarMatch's workshop or at a repairer designated by CarMatch; CarMatch may have the vehicle transferred for that purpose. Work by another repairer is covered only after written approval of the estimate by CarMatch and is invoiced directly to CarMatch quoting the approval number. The repairer is responsible for the work carried out; an estimate for costs not covered may be chargeable.

7.6. CarMatch's liability for damage caused by a hidden defect in the vehicle sold is governed by ordinary law.

7.7. The CarMatch warranty is a commercial warranty, provided by CarMatch unless the order form or quotation names another guarantor (in which case that guarantor's terms apply), and is in addition to any manufacturer's warranty and to the statutory guarantee. It covers the repairs required to bring the vehicle into conformity with the sales contract, as described on the order form or quotation. Excluded are: damage caused by accidents, theft or attempted theft, fire, vandalism, adjustments, modifications or tuning, and further:

wear parts, including the 12 V/low-voltage battery, brake discs and pads, tyres, wiper blades, suspension bushes and mounts, shock absorbers, cabin and HEPA filters, coolant, charging cables and adapters, and, for hybrid vehicles, also belts, spark plugs, clutch and flywheel
the high-voltage battery (traction battery)
bodywork, paint, wheels, glass, mirrors, interior and exterior lighting, trim and finishes, and damage following body repairs
lines, hoses and rubber parts (brake, hydraulic, coolant, fluid and air lines), damping and suspension rubbers
for hybrid vehicles: exhaust, exhaust mountings, catalytic converter and particulate filter
squeaks, rattles, wind noise, air and water leaks
damage caused by non-compliant or damaged charging infrastructure, incorrect coolant or fuel, or the ingress of water or foreign objects
accessories and equipment not fitted by the manufacturer
consequential loss and loss of use, including replacement transport, hotel and travel costs
work carried out without CarMatch's prior written approval
vehicles used as taxis, for ride-hailing, rental, driving instruction, courier or delivery services, or for competitions.

During the warranty period, servicing is carried out by CarMatch or an authorised dealer of the brand, evidenced by invoices. The warranty is not transferable, including by gift or inheritance, ends on total loss of the vehicle, and does not include a replacement vehicle, towing or recovery costs or roadside assistance unless expressly agreed in writing on the order form or the warranty document. Compensation never exceeds the market value of the vehicle on the day before the claim.

7.8. CarMatch warrants that the tread depth of all tyres exceeds the legal minimum of 1.6 mm at delivery and remains above that depth for one month or 1,000 km (whichever comes first) under normal use. Tyre damage arising after delivery (running flat, impact damage, cuts, deformation, abnormal wear due to incorrect pressure, alignment, driving style or external factors) is excluded.

7.9. The digital functions, driver-assistance systems and subscriptions forming part of the sale are those stated on the order form or quotation; functions, accounts and subscriptions not stated do not form part of it. Characteristics or functions that the Customer could reasonably expect but that are absent (an older hardware version of the driver-assistance systems, an option that is no longer activated, a function of an activated package that the manufacturer has not yet released in Belgium at delivery) are expressly stated on the order form and separately accepted by the Customer. The manufacturer may change, restrict or disable these functions after delivery, including through software updates; CarMatch has no influence over this and, without prejudice to the statutory guarantee in respect of the Consumer, is not liable for the loss or restriction of such functions or their consequences. The costs of digital services (accounts, apps, activation, licences, subscriptions) are never borne by CarMatch; their use is subject to the terms of the manufacturer or the service provider.

7.10. At delivery CarMatch checks the service status using the on-board computer and the manufacturer's guidelines, and warrants that the vehicle requires no servicing under normal use for three months or 3,000 km (whichever comes first), counting from registration in the Customer's name or the invoice date (whichever is earlier). If a service message nevertheless appears within that period, the Customer contacts CarMatch as soon as possible.

8. Transfer of ownership and risk

Ownership passes upon full payment of the vehicle. All risks relating to the vehicle pass to the Customer as soon as he takes delivery of the vehicle.

9. Trade-in vehicle

A trade-in offer stated on the order form or quotation is valid only if the vehicle is actually available for trade-in, the Customer is demonstrably its owner (and can substantiate this with evidence), the Customer may freely dispose of the vehicle and the vehicle is free of all obligations, such as financial ones (financing, renting, leasing, etc.).

The trade-in value is valid and final only if the condition of the vehicle corresponds to the description and any images on which CarMatch's valuation was based and which, where applicable, were attached to a trade-in document or included as a description on the order form or quotation. Any depreciation of the trade-in vehicle resulting from a delay in delivering the vehicle sold to the Consumer is borne by CarMatch.

10. Personal data

All information about the Customer is processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The personal data collected is used only for the purposes stated in our privacy policy.

11. Products and prices

The information and illustrations on our website, online platforms (such as AutoScout24, 2dehands.be, Mobile.de, GoCar, etc.) and documentation are based on the technical data of the vehicles at the time they were listed on the platform concerned. CarMatch reserves the right to make changes to models, equipment, characteristics, prices and availability at any time and without prior notice. Prices for the Consumer always include VAT; prices for the Business Customer exclude VAT unless stated otherwise.

Certain models, parts and accessories may differ slightly from the actual condition, and a new vehicle may differ slightly in certain details from the model ordered. The colours shown give only an approximate impression and also depend on the user's screen settings.

12. Reservations via the website

12.1. Any customer may reserve a specific vehicle via the website upon payment of a reservation fee as stated for that vehicle. CarMatch then holds the vehicle for a period of 7 days.

12.2. A customer may reserve at most two vehicles via the website and must pay a reservation fee of the stated amount per reservation.

12.3. After the reservation, CarMatch invites the customer to complete the order for the chosen vehicle(s) by signing an order form or quotation, whereby the reservation amount may be used as a (partial) deposit on the purchase price of the vehicle ordered. If no order is placed within 7 days, the reservation lapses and the reservation fee is refunded within 14 days.

13. Ordering via the website

13.1. Any customer may order a specific vehicle via the website upon payment of a deposit as stated for that vehicle.

13.2. CarMatch contacts the customer within 5 working days to agree on payment, delivery period and delivery location.

13.3. The vehicle order is confirmed by signing an order form or quotation, with the deposit deducted from the purchase price of the vehicle ordered.

13.4. A Consumer who orders at a distance (online) or away from CarMatch's business premises may withdraw from the order up to 14 days after the day on which he, or a third party designated by him, takes physical possession of the vehicle; an order form signed at a CarMatch establishment carries no right of withdrawal. Withdrawal must be notified before that period expires, unambiguously and in writing (letter or e-mail, if desired using the statutory model form), to CarMatch, Dok Noord 7b box 502, 9000 Ghent, or via info@carmatch.be, or, for an online order, via the withdrawal function on the website (art. VI.61/2 CEL). The right of withdrawal does not apply to a new vehicle made to the Consumer's specifications (art. VI.53, 3° CEL). In the event of withdrawal after delivery, the Consumer bears the cost of returning the vehicle to CarMatch's establishment and the diminished value resulting from use beyond what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the vehicle. Use of more than 100 km after delivery is deemed to go beyond this; the diminished value resulting from such use is assessed at €0.55 incl. VAT per kilometre above 100 km. In addition, the Consumer bears the actual diminished value resulting from registration of the vehicle in his name and the costs of deregistration, re-inspection, cleaning and repair of damage or abnormal wear arising after delivery. These amounts are set off against the refund.

13.5. In the event of timely withdrawal, the deposit paid and any other payment are refunded to the Consumer within 14 days of receipt of the withdrawal. In the event of withdrawal after delivery, CarMatch may withhold the refund until the vehicle has been received back.

14. Miscellaneous

14.1. The courts of the judicial district of Ghent have exclusive jurisdiction over all disputes arising from the contracts concluded between the parties. In respect of the Consumer, the competent courts are those designated by article 624, 1°, 2° and 4° of the Belgian Judicial Code.

14.2. Belgian law applies to all disputes between the parties arising from the contracts concluded between them. The Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and any other intergovernmental treaties, if applicable, are excluded.

14.3. Complaints may be addressed to info@carmatch.be. A Consumer whose complaint is not resolved amicably may turn to the Consumer Ombudsman Service (Consumentenombudsdienst, www.consumentenombudsdienst.be).

14.4. These terms were drawn up in Dutch and translated into French, English and German. In the event of any discrepancy between the language versions, the Dutch text prevails.