Bodywork and paintwork
Paint depth readings on every panel, alignment of door and window openings, and signs of welding or body filler. These reveal repairs the seller may not have mentioned.
Car Inspection
before you buy
We visit the car you've found and tell you what it's really like. You get the report before you pay for the car. If our advice is to walk away, all you've spent is the inspection fee.
200+
clients
8
countries
5 years
in business
We'll get in touch
within 2 hours
Free consultation
How the inspection works
We can usually visit within one or two days of your enquiry. The inspection takes around 90 minutes to two hours, and we send the report the same day, before another buyer snaps up the car.
01
Send us the listing link and the seller's contact details
02
We agree an inspection time and location with the seller
03
We bring a paint depth gauge and diagnostic scanner, use dealer-level ISTA diagnostics for BMWs, and put the car on a lift if needed
04
We photograph and film all findings and check the car's history by VIN
05
We send a report with a clear recommendation: buy, negotiate or walk away
What's included
Our checklist covers over a hundred points, but four areas usually decide the outcome: bodywork, engine and gearbox, running gear, and paperwork. These are the most common reasons we advise against buying.
Engine and gearbox
Live data with the engine at operating temperature, gearbox adaptation values and stored fault codes. This is the costliest area and the most common reason to walk away.
Running gear and brakes
Checks for play, suspension wear and brake condition. Autobahn mileage and Balkan roads leave different wear patterns, and we know what to look for.
Electronics and VIN history
CarVertical report, brand-specific dealer service records, mileage discrepancies, control module fault codes and evidence of deployed airbags.
Legal status
Outstanding finance, registration restrictions, unresolved accident and insurance claims: issues that can surface after you buy.
Photo and video report
Every finding is documented and explained. The report is yours to keep and makes a useful negotiating tool if you decide to buy the car.
Four areas that can make or break a deal
Our checklist is long, but when we advise against buying, it is almost always because of one of these four areas. Tap a number on the diagram to see what our expert checks and what we have found.
100+ checksphotos and videoreport before you decide
Tap a number on the diagram
Bodywork and paint
Paint depth readings on every panel, body opening alignment, and signs of welding or filler. These reveal repairs the seller may have forgotten to mention.
- — Resprayed panels and paint touch-ups
- — Panel gaps and alignment after a collision
- — Corrosion in sills and wheel arches
- — Original glass and lights
Engine and gearbox
Operating readings with the engine warm, gearbox adaptation values and stored fault codes. This is the most expensive area to repair and the most common reason to walk away.
- — Timing chain stretch
- — Leaks and oil seepage
- — Gearbox adaptation values and harsh shifts
- — Compression and exhaust smoke
What we found: A low-mileage 2025 BMW M340: diagnostics indicated around 20% timing chain stretch. We caught it before purchase, giving the client leverage to negotiate.
Suspension and brakes
An inspection on a lift to check for play and assess the suspension and brakes. German autobahn mileage and Balkan roads wear a car differently.
- — Play in suspension arms and ball joints
- — Leaking shock absorbers
- — Brake disc and pad wear
- — Steering rack and protective boots
Electronics, VIN and paperwork
VIN-based service history, mileage tampering, electronic faults and legal checks for outstanding finance, registration restrictions and unresolved accident claims.
- — Mileage discrepancies in the vehicle history
- — Stored fault codes
- — Outstanding finance and registration restrictions
- — Unresolved accident and insurance claims
What changes from country to country
Roadworthiness test rules, common vehicle problems and ways of concealing a car's history vary from country to country.
Choose a country to see what we add to our standard checklist.
In Germany, there is plenty to work with: service books, HU roadworthiness reports and extensive VIN databases. Our inspection focuses on checking whether the paperwork matches the car's actual condition.
What we check beyond the standard checklist
- Compare dealer service records with mileage readings year by year
- Review previous HU findings: what was repaired afterwards and what was left unresolved
- Inspect the underbody and sills for road salt damage, including hidden cavities
- Check for a leasing history: consistent servicing despite high mileage
In Serbia, we can inspect a car the day you contact us. The main task is to piece together its history before import, as local documents only cover the most recent part of its life.
What we check beyond the standard checklist
- Establish the country of origin and the car's condition before import into Serbia
- Compare odometer readings with roadworthiness test records from previous years
- Check for body repairs after import, which are more common and cheaper than in the EU
- Check legal status: outstanding finance and registration restrictions
Spanish cars often have clean underbodies, but sun and salt take their toll elsewhere. We shift the focus from underbody corrosion to hidden cavities, electrical systems and interior condition.
What we check beyond the standard checklist
- Check for corrosion in hidden cavities on coastal cars, even if the underbody looks clean
- Inspect paintwork, seals and plastics for years of sun damage
- Check for rental use by comparing mileage with interior wear
- Review the ITV report and any issues left unresolved between tests
Cars are thoroughly prepared for the MFK test, so a recent report alone tells us little. We check what was done just before the test and what has been left untouched since last year.
What we check beyond the standard checklist
- Identify parts replaced just before the MFK test and compare them with the rest of the car
- Check for deferred scheduled servicing, as maintenance is expensive
- Check that every feature still works, even on well-equipped cars
- Check import paperwork: Switzerland is outside the EU, so the required documents differ
The damp maritime climate shapes our inspections here. We start with corrosion and electrical systems, as moisture-related problems are the most common concern.
What we check beyond the standard checklist
- Inspect hidden cavities, chassis rails and suspension mounting points
- Check connectors and control modules for corrosion, a common cause of intermittent faults
- Review the IPO report and check that tests were carried out on schedule
- On diesels used in city traffic, check the diesel particulate filter and its history
France's detailed contrôle technique provides a good starting point. We then look at what the test does not reveal: the condition of key diesel components and wear from city driving.
What we check beyond the standard checklist
- Review contrôle technique findings over the years for recurring issues
- Check the diesel particulate filter, EGR system and turbocharger on diesel cars
- Inspect the clutch and suspension for wear from heavy city use
- Review the history of French-brand cars: parts are readily available, but each model has its weak points
Italian cars are more likely to have had minor body repairs done quickly and cheaply. We spend noticeably more time than usual checking each panel with a paint thickness gauge.
What we check beyond the standard checklist
- Measure paint thickness on every panel to find resprays after urban scrapes
- Account for regional differences between north and south: coastal salt exposure versus typical inland wear
- If an LPG system is fitted, inspect the installation and tank condition
- Check revisione test intervals and any gaps in the records
Poland is the largest transit market for damaged cars from Western Europe. Our first priority is to establish what body repairs were carried out before the car went on sale.
What we check beyond the standard checklist
- Check body aperture alignment and welds for signs of repairs after a major accident
- Trace the import history: where the car came from and in what condition
- Cross-check mileage against European service databases rather than trusting the odometer
- Inspect airbags and check for evidence of previous deployment
Frequently asked questions
How much does an inspection cost, and is the price the same in every country?
The price varies by country and depends on the scope of the inspection. We'll give you an exact quote when you get in touch.
Can I book an inspection if I'm not in the country?
Yes, you don't need to be there. We'll send you the report and our recommendation remotely.
What format does the report come in?
Photos and a detailed written report of the inspection findings.
What if the inspection shows that the car isn't worth buying?
You'll receive a report with photos and a clear recommendation not to buy. You'll only be out the inspection fee, rather than the money spent on the car. The report is yours to keep, and if you decide to buy anyway, you can use the issues we found to negotiate. On one of our inspections in Serbia, this brought the price down by €700.
Completed jobs: pre-purchase inspections
Other services:
What's next for your car?
We find and deliver your car. For everything that comes next, we recommend these teams we've personally vetted.
CarLabCar workshop in Belgrade. Diagnostics, routine servicing and repairs, including getting your car ready after delivery.
DetailsCar detailing studio. Pre-sale preparation, polishing, deep interior cleaning and protective coatings.
Found a car?Send us a link
Send us a link
to the listing,
we'll go and inspect it
We can inspect it within one or two days. The photo report is yours to keep, even if you decide not to buy.
200+
clients
8
countries
5 years
in business
2 hrs
response time